The 5th Éva Marton International Singing Competition organized by the Liszt Academy began on Sunday evening with the opening statement of Éva Marton, followed by the drawing of the order in which the contestants will perform.

Liszt Academy is to introduce multiple changes to counter effects of economic challenges, including its operations and programming.

A total of 98 violin-piano duos are submitted, awarded ones will be decided by a prestigious international jury chaired by Oscar-winning American composer John Corigliano.

Éva Kollár, Zsuzsanna Gráf, Béla Lattmann, Sándor Horányi, Judit Hartyányi and Katalin Kiss received prestigious state awards on the occasion of the August 20th, anniversary of the state’s foundation

Gáspár Kelemen achieved 1st prize in age group 1, while in age group 2 Marley Erickson came in 2nd place at Festival Academy Budapest’s event.

Liszt Academy's competition was elected a member and was praised for its high quality by World Federation of International Music Competitions’ General Assembly. Delegates also showed keen interest in the professional issues of the university's Éva Marton International Singing Competition, which had been a member for three years.

The Bösendorfer instrument in the Kodály Museum has been fully reconstructed with the help of a grant from the National Cultural Fund.

The Masterpiece programme will be launched again, with students being notified of their application in Neptune, and those selected by audition will be able to perform with the orchestra.