The winners of the newly established Farinelli Competition for countertenors have been revealed. Dennis Orellana from Honduras claimed the top honor, while France's Rémy Brès-Feuillet secured second place. South Korean vocalist Yongbeom Kwon was awarded the third prize.

This competition, named after the legendary figure in the countertenor world, was launched by Christoph von Bernuth, the Artistic Director of the 47th International Handel Festival Karlsruhe, under whose patronage the event was held.

Hosted at the Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe during the International Handel Festival, the competition featured a distinguished panel of judges including Max Emanuel Cencic, Bernd Feuchtner, Christian Fimbach, Vivica Genaux, and Natascha Ursuliak.

The competition attracted countertenors from across the globe, showcasing the growing international interest in this unique vocal category. Participants performed challenging baroque repertoire, primarily focusing on Handel's compositions, in keeping with the festival's theme.

Dennis Orellana's victory marks a significant achievement for Honduras in the classical music world. His performance was noted for its exceptional technical control and emotional depth. The first-place award includes a monetary prize and upcoming performance opportunities with prestigious baroque ensembles.
Rémy Brès-Feuillet demonstrated remarkable vocal agility and stylistic authenticity, solidifying France's continued strong presence in the early music scene. Meanwhile, Yongbeom Kwon's third-place finish highlights South Korea's emerging influence in Western classical music traditions.

Named after Carlo Broschi, the 18th-century Italian castrato known professionally as Farinelli, the competition aims to celebrate and preserve the countertenor tradition while encouraging new interpretations of baroque vocal works. Farinelli was renowned for his extraordinary three-octave vocal range and virtuosic performances during the baroque era.

The festival organizers have announced plans to make the Farinelli Competition an annual event, with hopes of establishing it as one of the premier platforms for countertenor talent worldwide.