The 44th Daegu International Vocal Music Competition Opens Global Online Applications for 2026 Edition

DAEGU, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 8, 2026--

The Daegu Music Association announced that it has officially opened online applications for the 44th Daegu International Vocal Music Competition (DIVMC) 2026, inviting vocal majors from around the world to participate in one of Korea’s leading international vocal competitions.

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Founded in 1983, the competition has become a premier platform for discovering emerging vocal talent and serves as a flagship cultural event of Daegu, a UNESCO City of Music. In 2024, the competition joined the World Federation of International Music Competitions (WFIMC), further strengthening its international credibility.

For the 2026 edition, the competition introduces a video-based preliminary round to eliminate geographic restrictions. Applications are accepted from March 11 to April 12 through the official competition website. Successful applicants will advance to global semi-final rounds held in New York (May 22), Milan (June 18–19), and Daegu (August 14–15). The Grand Final will take place on August 21 at the Daegu Concert House Grand Hall, where finalists will perform with orchestra before an international jury.

This year’s competition has attracted significant attention with the appointment of legendary tenor Francisco Araiza as Chairman of the Jury. Celebrated for his performances of Mozart and Rossini repertoire, Araiza has performed at major opera houses, including the Vienna State Opera and the Metropolitan Opera.

The competition offers a total prize fund of approximately KRW 60 million, with First Prize receiving the Prime Minister’s Award and KRW 25 million. Beyond the monetary prize, winners will be granted valuable career pathways, including casting opportunities with the Bologna Academy in Italy and debut engagements with the Seoul Metropolitan Opera and the Daegu Opera House.

Further details and application guidelines are available at:
www.daegumusic.com

The Grand Final will take place on August 21 at the Daegu Concert House Grand Hall where finalists will perform with orchestra before an international jury (Image: Daegu International Vocal Music Competition)

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The U.S. military conducted a rapid response exercise involving Marines and military aircraft in Venezuela’s capital Saturday, over four months after the ouster of then-President Nicolás Maduro.

Two Marine Corps Osprey aircraft, which have characteristics of both a helicopter and a fixed-wing airplane, flew over the recently reopened U.S. Embassy in Caracas. They landed in the parking lot with the downdraft blowing tree branches. Forces then descended from the aircraft.

“Ensuring the military’s rapid response capability is a key component of mission readiness, both here in Venezuela and around the world,” the embassy said on Instagram.

Venezuela’s government had announced the drill earlier this week. Foreign Minister Yván Gil said the U.S. would conduct the exercise to prepare “in the event of medical emergencies or catastrophic emergencies.”

The drill comes almost two months after the U.S. formally reopened its embassy in Caracas. The reopening followed the restoration of full diplomatic relations with the South American country after Maduro 's ouster in early January.

Some Caracas residents Saturday gathered near the embassy to watch the aircraft, while a few dozen others gathered elsewhere in the city to protest the exercise. Protesters held a Venezuelan flag with the message “No to the Yankee drill” written over it.

U.S. military aircraft last flew over Caracas on Jan. 3, when elite forces rappelled down from helicopters and captured Maduro and his wife. Both were taken to New York to face drug trafficking charges. They have pleaded not guilty.

U.S. Embassy holds emergency and air evacuation drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)

U.S. Embassy holds emergency and air evacuation drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)

U.S. Embassy holds emergency and air evacuation drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)

A soldier looks down from a military aircraft as the U.S. Embassy holds an emergency and air evacuation drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)

U.S. Embassy holds emergency and air evacuation drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)