During the festive final of the Viva Classic Vocal Contest 2026, five promising young singers will perform before an audience and a panel of expert judges at Domani, the former monastery chapel in the centre of Venlo. The unique atmosphere and excellent acoustics make this historic venue a favourite spot for classical music.

The finalists are:

• Ruslana Danchenko (soprano, Detmold)
• Rita Rolo Morais (soprano, Cologne)
• Vladyslav Shkarupilo (countertenor, Essen)
• Dorine Doneux (mezzo-soprano, Waremme/Maastricht)
• Anastasia Patsakidou (coloratura soprano, Aachen)

Each candidate will perform two pieces, ranging from popular opera arias to the classical art song repertoire. The concert will be performed with the New Symphonics Orchestra under the baton of the Italian conductor Federico Santi.

The expert jury consists of:

• Sef Thissen – baritone and founder of Viva Classic Live
• Barbara Haveman – soprano and vocal coach
• Marwin Wendt – artistic director of the Deutsche Oper am Rhein.

The audience also has a say and decides who receives the audience prize. The winner of the competition receives the prestigious Willy Caron Award and will perform at Viva Classic Live at the Park 2026.

VCVC2026 is an initiative of the Viva Classic Live Foundation and forms part of the cross-border programme RESONANZ, in which young artists from the Netherlands and Germany – ranging from hip-hop to opera – collaborate, develop their skills and reach new audiences.

RESONANZ is made possible in part by the Interreg VI-A Germany-Netherlands programme, co-funded by the European Union, the Province of Limburg and the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Read more about the finalists here 

Ruslana Danchenko (soprano, Detmold)
The Ukrainian soprano Ruslana Danchenko (2000) is studying Opera and Concert Singing at the Hochschule für Musik Detmold. She has already built up an impressive amount of stage experience with roles in operas by Mozart, Beethoven and Pergolesi. She has also performed as a soloist in major choral and orchestral works, including Haydn’s *Die Schöpfung*. Ruslana combines a strong technical foundation with great expressive power. For her, music is all about connection and creating emotional worlds for her audience.

Rita Rolo Morais (soprano, Cologne)
The Portuguese soprano Rita Rolo Morais (born 2000) recently impressed audiences with leading roles in productions in Aachen and Cologne. Following her Master’s degree in Opera at the Cologne University of Music and Dance, she is currently specialising further in art song in Hamburg. In addition to opera, she is a passionate art-song singer and performs regularly at chamber music and festival concerts. Rita is supported by various prestigious music foundations and has developed into a versatile young artist in recent years. Her warm stage presence and musical refinement characterise her performances.

Vladyslav Shkarupilo (countertenor, Essen)
Vladyslav Shkarupilo (2000) is a Ukrainian countertenor studying at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen. Since arriving in Germany, he has taken part in opera productions and festivals, including the Ruhrtriennale and the Stuttgart State Opera. He has taken part in international competitions such as Neue Stimmen and the Farinelli Competition. With his distinctive voice and wide-ranging repertoire, he moves effortlessly between Baroque, Romantic and contemporary music. For Vladyslav, singing is not just about technique, but above all about sharing stories, creating connections and growing through artistic encounters.

Dorine Doneux (mezzo-soprano, Waremme / Maastricht)
The Belgian-Limburg mezzo-soprano Dorine Doneux (2003) belongs to a new generation of promising opera talents. In 2024, she won first prize at the Bell’Arte International Competition and is part of training programmes at, amongst others, La Monnaie in Brussels and the Teatro Comunale di Bologna. Even at a young age, she has already performed roles such as Carmen, Ragonde and Prince Orlofsky. Dorine combines a striking stage presence with natural musicality. Having previously taken part in the competition, she returns with even more experience and ambition.

Anastasia Patsakidou (coloratura soprano, Aachen)
The Greek coloratura soprano Anastasia Patsakidou (1996) is studying musical theatre at the Cologne University of Music and Dance in Aachen. In January 2026, she made her debut as the Queen of the Night in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte at Theater Aachen. Previously, she has sung leading roles in operas by Donizetti, Montsalvatge and new Greek works. Her repertoire demands great virtuosity, flexibility and theatrical conviction. Anastasia feels a strong connection to North Rhine-Westphalia and is steadily building a professional opera career there.