Montreal, April 23, 2015 – Next month, the Montreal International Musical Competition (MIMC) will welcome 24 singers from 9 countries who will share over $80,000 in prizes in a major competition that will take place from May 25 to June 5. The Quarter-Final (May 25, 26, and 27) and Semi-Final (May 29 and 30) recitals will have piano accompaniment and take place in Bourgie Hall. The Finals (June 2 and 3) and the winners’ concert (June 5) will take place at the Maison symphonique, with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM).
THE VILLE DE MONTRÉAL PRIZE
The Competition’s First Prize, worth $30,000, is offered by the Ville de Montréal, which is now a MIMC partner for the next three years. The Mayor of Montreal, Mr. Denis Coderre, has said he is “especially proud that Montreal is home to this event that bears witness to the city’s cultural vitality and international profile.”
OTHER NEW PARTNERS
This year, the $15,000 Second Prize and the $10,000 Third Prize are sponsored by Canimex and Cogeco respectively. Two new prizes have been added for this Voice edition of the Competition: a $5,000 Lied and French Art Song Prize, courtesy of Clarence and Arija Stiver; and a $2,500 Prize for the Best Semi-Final Recital, which will be awarded by Tourisme Montréal.
SPOKESPERSON, ORCHESTRA, AND GUEST CONDUCTOR
The Competition is pleased that journalist and host Marie-Claude Lavallée is spokesperson for the 2015 edition. “I have a soft spot for the human voice—the most beautiful instrument of all, to my ear,” she confided. The OSM will accompany the finalists and the laureates and will be led by the Musical Director of the Canadian Opera Company, Maestro Johannes Debus, who stated “What a great privilege it is for candidates to perform with an orchestra of the calibre of the OSM,” adding “it looks like we are going to undertake a colourful tour through 400 years of great music. I love it!”
BEFORE THE FINALS
The MIMC will hold two special presentations prior to each evening of the Finals, at 6 p.m., in the Foyer Allegro at the Maison symphonique. On June 2, the focus will be on recollections and anecdotes from three great musicians and friends—Richard Bonynge, Marilyn Horne, and Joseph Rouleau, joined by host Dennis Trudeau. On June 3, the founder and Editor-in-Chief of the French publication Opéra Magazine, Richard Martet, will present “Great Voices of Quebec,” joined by host Sylvia L’Écuyer. Admission is free upon presentation of a ticket for the Final, which will follow at 7:30 p.m.
FREE ACTIVITIES
In keeping with tradition, a whole range of activities will be held alongside the official competition, creating a variety of gathering places for fans of classical singing.
Masterclasses
On May 28 and 31, everyone can benefit from the valuable teachings that three members of the international jury will impart on talented young singers: join baritone Wolfgang Holzmair and conductor Richard Bonynge (May 28, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. respectively) and mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne (May 31 at 2 p.m.). All masterclasses are open to the public and presented in Bourgie Hall.
Cinevox
Through a partnership with medici.tv, the MIMC is presenting a free mini film festival entitled “Cinevox,” featuring documentaries on five 20th century legends: soprano Julia Varady, baritone Dietrich Fischer-Diskau, contralto Kathleen Ferrier, tenor Enrico Caruso, and soprano Montserrat Caballé. The screenings will take place in the auditorium at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, on May 31, starting at 11 a.m.
Sing-Along!
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of cult film The Sound of Music and the launch of the Montreal International Musical Competition by singing along “a few of your favorite songs” at Bourgie Hall on May 24 at 2 p.m. The event will be conducted by Bob Bachelor, musical director of The Lyric Theatre Singers.
BOX OFFICE
Tickets and passports for the quarter-final and semi-final rounds are available at the Bourgie Hall box office: mbam.qc.ca | 514-285-2000, option 4 Packages are available. Tickets for the final round and the winners’ concert are available at the Place des arts box office: placedesarts.com | 514-842-2112 | 1 866-842-2112.
NEW WEBSITE
For complete details, please visit the Competition’s brand new website at:
www.concoursmontreal.ca.
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The mission of the Montreal International Musical Competition is to discover and support young singers, violinists and pianists who demonstrate exceptional mastery of their art. The MIMC is the only international competition in North America to be held annually and to present three disciplines in a three-year rotation. Since its first edition dedicated to voice in 2002, more than 2,400 hopefuls have entered the Competition and over 400 have performed in Montreal, much to the delight of music lovers.
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