Russian soprano Anna Netrebko has put out a call for artwork for her upcoming album Verismo.

Russian soprano Anna Netrebko has put out a call for artwork for her upcoming album Verismo. In a collaboration between Deutsche Grammophon and 99designs will see designers and illustrators compete to create artwork for the album, with the winning design to be chosen by Netrebko personally.

The concept for the design is to centre around the famous words that open Act II of Puccini’s Turandot: “Vissi d’arte, vissi d’amore” or “I have lived for art, I have lived for love.” According to the competition organisers, “this is the spirit of Verismo and the spirit of Anna herself.”

“The words ‘Vissi d’arte, vissi d’amore’ can be designed and interpreted as the illustrator prefers,” the organisers write, “whether hand-drawn or rendered entirely digitally or a mix of both. We are searching for the best and most innovative approach to capture the feeling of Verismo and these words. Participants should feel free to add illustrative elements to the visual interpretation of the text.”

The contest is open until July 30, with the winner to be announced the following week. There are already 28 entries, which can be viewed on 99designs. For more information or to enter the competition visit 99designs.