Kazakh Opera Star Wins Gold at Prestigious Italian Competition

Kazakh opera sensation Aigerim Altynbek has claimed first prize at the renowned Concorso Lirico Internazionale di Portofino (CLIP), one of the world’s most prestigious opera competitions.

This year’s event attracted over 200 applicants from more than 50 countries, showcasing a global roster of emerging talent, The Caspian Post reports, citing Kazakh media.

Following preliminary selection, 92 singers were invited to live auditions. After several competitive rounds, 22 vocalists advanced to the semi-finals, with just 10 finalists performing in the concluding round.

“For me, this was a truly special experience, and I believe that even greater achievements lie ahead. I’m immensely grateful to everyone who supported me on this journey,” Altynbek wrote in a post on social media following the announcement.

Dominique Meyer, President of the Jury and Executive Director of the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne, commended Altynbek’s standout performance:

“The winner received the highest number of votes from the jury in every round, she gave an exceptional performance.”

Altynbek’s latest accolade adds to a growing list of international achievements. She previously won an opera competition in Italy, secured third place at the Nikolay Gyaurov Competition in Modena, and received the distinguished Mirella Freni special prize.

Further underscoring her rising status in the world of opera, Altynbek was recently accepted into the elite La Scala Academy in Milan, where she will undergo a two-year professional training program. In June, she also performed on stage with legendary tenor José Carreras during his farewell world tour concert in Astana.