Applications are now open for the violin competition with a unique semi-final round where the jurors follow competitors over ten months
The second edition of the Antonio Mormone International Prize will be dedicated to the violin, with the final round to be held in Milan from 16 to 22 June, 2025. Organised by La Società dei Concerti Foundation in the spirit of its founder Antonio Mormone, the competition aims to discover, promote and enhance the abilities of young artists capable of embarking on an international concert career.
Maestro Evgeny Kissin is the honorary president with artistic direction from Edoardo Zosi.
What makes this competition unique? Many reasons: The Antonio Mormone International Prize has an innovative selection method. Spanning between May 2024 and March 2025 before the final round, a varied jury – comprising international musicians, artistic directors, managers, some of them incognito – will follow each of the ten semi-finalists to judge their performances upon submission of their personal public performance calendar. It’s a chance for the jury to see the performers in their ‘natural habitat’, rather than convening in one location, as is typical of other competitions. After each performance, the jurors will meet the competitor for a photo and an evaluation.
In addition, the Foundation La Società dei Concerti will organise at least three concerts, two in Milan, for each semi-finalist. Each performer will receive a token for their engagement and have the opportunity to engage personally and empathetically with audience members.
Three lucky violinists will be chosen to progress beyond the intense semi-final performances for the perks of the final round. The Antonio Mormone International Prize is the only competition where the finalists will have the opportunity to perform at the incomparable venue, Teatro alla Scala, accompanied by the Orchestra Accademia Teatro alla Scala. Not only that, the finalists will have the chance to perform in the Historical Violin round, on a Carlo Ferdinando Landolfi violin (Milan, 1757) from the Conservatory of Milan historical instrument collection. Candidates must perform Franz Schubert’s Sonata in A major for violin and piano, Op. 162, D. 574 ‘Grand Duo’. No doubt it will be fascinating to see the performances that emerge from this even playing ground, created by all three finalists performing the same repertoire on the same violin.
The Antonio Mormone International Prize offers an attractive prize for the first prize winner, which includes €30,000 cash, recording of an album with UNIVERSAL, plus three years of artistic management coordinated by the Fondazione La Società dei Concerti, with engagements in Italy and abroad. The runners up will receive a cash prize of €5,000. The audience will have a chance to vote for their favourite performer, who will receive a concert hosted by the Friends of the Antonio Mormone International Prize Club.
Applications are open until 1 December 2023 for violinists aged 16 and those under 29 by 22 June 2025. Ten semi-finalists will be announced on 15 April 2024. Following the semi-final concerts in Italy and abroad from May 2024 to March 2025, the three finalists will be announced on 15 April 2025.
Find out more and apply here: www.antoniomormone.org
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