The International Competition „Madame Butterfly” takes place for the first time in Chisinau, starting September 16. The 9th edition organised after a 15-year break will bring together young performers from 12 countries on the stage of the Organ Hall and of the National Opera and Ballet Theatre. The jury of the competition will be chaired by the Prima Donna of the National Opera, Maria Biesu, winner of the Grand Prix of the first Madame Butterfly, which took place in Japan in 1967. Culture Minister Artur Cozma stated on Sunday at a press conference held on the occasion of the Competition’s opening that it is the first time in Moldova’s history that Chisinau hosts a cultural event of such magnitude. The President of the Foundation “Madame Butterfly International”, Hiroko Kobayashi, thanked the Moldovan authorities and Maria Biesu for the opportunity to materialise the dream of continuing the opera of her aunt, Nobue Kabayashi, who in 1967 initiated this music competition to commemorate the Japanese Prima Donna Tamaki Miura. In sign of gratitude and friendship, the Japanese Foundation offered the public of Chisinau, at the opening ceremony, an ikebana show with traditional Japanese dance and music, themed “Nippon Fantasy”. This year’s edition of “Madame Butterfly” will welcome 44 young participants from Japan, Russia, Moldova, Ukraine, Romania, Iceland, Turkey, Republic of Korea, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Singapore and Poland. All sopranos, mezzo-sopranos, baritones and tenors will perform compositions from the opera “Madame Butterfly” by Giacomo Puccini and will be assessed by a jury of professionals, composed of participants from previous editions of the Competition, and internationally recognized artists. The president of the jury, Maria Biesu, expressed her hope that this competition will uncover new talents, and mark a new page in the chronicles of vocal music of the XXI century. Apart from the money prize, the Grand Prix winner of this prestigious contest will have doors open for a most successful career, stated Maria Biesu. To keep the Competition at the high level of its previous editions, organisers will offer considerable money prizes, unprecedented in the cultural history of Moldova. The winner of the Grand Prix will receive a prize of 15 thousand US dollars. The Winner of the First prize will win 10 thousand US dollars, 7 thousand for the second place, and the winner of the third place will receive five thousand US dollars. Moreover, the jury will offer two special prices of 2.5 thousand US dollars. According to the Minister Artur Cozma, the largest part of expenses for this competition will be covered by the Government. The closing of the International Competition “Madame Butterfly” will take place on the September 22 at the National Opera and Ballet Theatre and will end with the awarding ceremony and with a gala concert. The 9th edition is organised by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Union of Musicians from Moldova and the “Madame Butterfly International” Foundation, Japan.