The Tenor Viñas Competition does not end with the prize ceremony. Each edition also marks the beginning of a lasting connection with many of its laureates—artists who have gone on to build international careers while remaining part of the Viñas family.

With this spirit, Voices on Stage was created: a conversation series where Competition laureates share their experiences, reflections and the lessons they have learned throughout their professional journeys.

In this new edition, the Competition brought together three prizewinners from different generations: soprano Sara Blanch, 4th Prize at the 53rd Tenor Viñas Competition; soprano Adriana González, 2nd Prize at the 54th Tenor Viñas Competition; and tenor Roger Padullés, 2nd Prize at the 46th Tenor Viñas Competition. Three different careers, united by a common starting point: the Tenor Viñas Competition.

What the audience doesn't see

When we think of the life of an opera singer, we often picture great theatres, glamorous costumes and standing ovations. But that is only the visible side of the profession.

Sara Blanch was the first to put this reality into words.

"From the outside, everything may seem beautiful, and people only see the results. But behind them there are many ups and downs, and a great deal of hard work."

For the soprano, this profession demands discipline, self-awareness and a remarkable ability to adapt. Living away from home, constantly working with new teams and managing the emotional demands of every production are all part of a career that audiences rarely get to see.

Success also means knowing when to say no

Not every important career decision is made on stage.

Roger Padullés explained that, over the years, he has learned that building a career also means deciding what not to do. For him, this has meant prioritising the balance between professional commitments and family life, accepting that not every opportunity has to be taken.

"In the end, the most important thing is to stay true to your own needs and ask yourself whether what you're doing really makes you happy on a personal level."

It was a reflection that led to a shared conclusion among the three artists: there is no single definition of success.

Social media can help, but it cannot replace the artist

The conversation also explored the role of social media in today's operatic world.

All three laureates agreed that social media can be a valuable way to connect with audiences, provided authenticity is never lost.

Adriana González summed it up perfectly:

"If you try to be someone you're not, people notice. Authenticity reaches people far more than anything superficial."

Rather than creating a public persona, the artists defended the importance of simply being themselves and allowing their work on stage to define who they are.

Authenticity, rather than appearance, is what truly connects with audiences.

The greatest myth about the profession

When asked about the biggest misconception surrounding the life of an opera singer, the answer came almost instantly.

“Glamour doesn't exist all the time."

The three artists agreed that audiences mainly see opening nights, gala performances and applause. The reality, however, consists of rehearsals, airports, hotels, travelling and countless hours of work behind the scenes.

As they joked during the conversation, most of their professional lives are spent in comfortable clothes, rehearsal studios and with scores in hand—far removed from the glamorous image often associated with opera.

The Tenor Viñas Competition: a turning point

The conversation concluded with memories of their participation in the Tenor Viñas Competition and the impact it had on their careers.

Roger Padullés recalled the experience with mixed emotions. On the one hand, it remains a wonderful memory, surrounded by his family while celebrating his prize in Barcelona. On the other, he described it as bittersweet, feeling that he was unable to make the most of the momentum the Competition had given him.

"The Competition gave me a tremendous boost, but I believe that, had I been more experienced at the time, I would have made much better use of that opportunity."

Sara Blanch shared a very different story. The first time she entered the Competition she did not reach the final. A year later she applied again, although she was not even sure she would take part, as she was already committed to another production and would only participate if the schedule allowed it. She did not even tell her family.

When she finally decided to compete, she did so from a completely different place. During that year she had worked intensely on both her technique and herself as a person, arriving at the Competition with a confidence she had never felt before.

"When you know you're presenting yourself as you truly are, and what you bring is enough, you arrive feeling stronger, more confident and more secure."

That confidence led not only to an excellent result but also to an experience she remembers with great emotion. Following the Competition, the prizes opened the doors to the international opera world, allowing her to perform in major opera houses and marking what she describes as "a before and after" in her career.

Adriana González also highlighted the Competition's decisive role in her professional journey. She explained that the Tenor Viñas Competition opened the doors to Spain and that one of the auditions resulting from the Competition led to her first leading role in a theatre such as the Gran Teatre del Liceu.

"The Viñas opened the doors to Spain for me. Everything started here."

Beyond the Prizes

Although Sara Blanch, Adriana González and Roger Padullés have followed different paths, they all share the same belief: an artistic career is not built on talent alone. It is built on hard work, curiosity, self-confidence and the ability to learn from difficult moments.

Before bringing the conversation to a close, each of them shared the advice they would give to their younger selves.

Roger Padullés

"A career is full of 'no's. It's worth waiting for the moment when you can truly show the best version of yourself."

Adriana González

"Everything will be fine. Stay curious, keep learning... and never stop growing."

Sara Blanch

"Everything has been a learning experience. Even when things didn't go well or I made mistakes, I learned from them."

Through Voices on Stage, the Tenor Viñas Competition continues to strengthen its bond with its laureates. By sharing their experiences years after taking part in the Competition, they continue to inspire and encourage the new generations of singers who are now beginning the very same journey.