Balaguer will be hosting the 7th edition of the Germans Pla – Ciudad de Balaguer International Singing Contest this weekend. On Saturday morning, the knockout stage started with around twenty soloists from across Spain and Italy.

This contest, which is already one of the most important in Catalonia, aims to give young singers an opportunity to pay tribute to the music of the Germans Pla, well-known Balaguer instrumentalists and composers in Europe at the end of the 18th century.

As a new feature this year, a Manel Pla specific prize starts, one of the singing modalities that all contestants will have to perform, as well as a zarzuela or opera aria, an oratorio and a lied.

Jury members say that this year there is a very high standard among the participants.

The winners will perform on Sunday from 7 pm at the Municipal Theater of Balaguer, in a concert open to the public.