From July 13 to 17, 2025, the picturesque Costa Brava and the city of Lloret de Mar once again became the heart of world choral art, welcoming participants of the International Festival Golden Voices of Barcelona. Organized by Fiestalonia Milenio, the event brought together choirs from China, South Africa, Croatia, and Lithuania, offering guests and residents of the region an unforgettable celebration of music, friendship, and cultural exchange. Enjoy the magnificent music by watching our video from Gala Concert on the official Fiestalonia Milenio YouTube channel.
Competition Day
The main competitive program took place on July 14 in the magnificent Sant Romà Church in Lloret de Mar. Participants performed in several categories, including world sacred music, gospel, female choir, academic singing, and folklore. The church’s exceptional acoustics allowed the voices to fully unfold, while the variety of repertoires made the performances vivid and engaging.
Professional Jury
The competition was evaluated by an esteemed panel of conductors, composers, and educators:
- Xavier García Cardona – Conductor, pianist, and composer, a graduate in orchestral conducting from the Conservatori del Liceu in Barcelona, Artistic Director of the Estones de Clàssica chamber music series, and a member of the Spanish Association of Choir Directors.
- Joan Carles Capdevila Torné – Arranger, composer, studio singer, member of a cappella ensembles, instrumentalist, and musical theater educator, actively engaged in choral and opera music.
- Bernardo Latini – Composer and arranger, 16-time winner of national choral composition competitions, with works published in Austria, Germany, the USA, Catalonia, and Argentina.
Masterclass by Bernardo Latini
Following the competition performances, participants attended an exclusive choral masterclass led by Bernardo Latini. Over several hours, choir members refined their vocal techniques and worked on the piece “3 CANTOS NATIVOS DOS INDIOS KRAÓ” by Brazilian composer Marcus Leite. This composition is based on melodies sung by the Kraó tribe, indigenous people living in the Xingú River region of the northwestern Amazon.
Performance at the Sagrada Familia Crypt
One of the most memorable cultural moments of the festival was a friendly performance in the crypt of the iconic Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. The concert featured sacred masterpieces recognized worldwide, as well as unique a cappella and folk compositions from the participants’ home countries.
Gala Concert and Awards Ceremony
On July 16, the main square of Lloret de Mar hosted the Gala Concert, where choirs took the stage to share the beauty of their voices with the public. The evening concluded with the long-awaited awards ceremony, where all participants received diplomas and commemorative prizes. Full competition results are published in the table below.
| Chamber Choir “Kristale” / LITHUANIA conductor: Kristina Rimiene | world sacred music | Golden diploma from 90 to 99 points |
| ANSAMBL JANE / CROATIA conductor: ANA JAKLINOVIĆ, MARTIN DURBEK | folklore | Golden diploma from 90 to 99 points |
| HARMONIA / SOUTH AFRICA conductor: IDA STRYDOM, accompanist: ABRI VENTER, CHRISTELLE ENGELBRECHT | gospel | Silver diploma from 80 to 89 points |
| Chamber Choir “Kristale” / LITHUANIA conductor: Kristina Rimiene | academic singing | Silver diploma from 80 to 89 points |
| Nange&Yueshu Chorus / CHINA conductor: Mr.LIU, DONG, accompanist: Ms.SHI, XIAOYI | female choir | Bronze diploma from 70 to 79 points |
| HARMONIA / SOUTH AFRICA conductor: IDA STRYDOM, accompanist: ABRI VENTER, CHRISTELLE ENGELBRECHT | folklore | Bronze diploma from 70 to 79 points |
Once again, Golden Voices of Barcelona proved itself not only as a prestigious international competition but also as a unique platform for cultural exchange, artistic inspiration, and friendship between nations.
Do you want to participate in the International Choir Contest “Golden Voices of Barcelona” 2026? Then follow the link and submit your application to participate!