He Josep Palet International Singing Competitionpromoted by Martorell City Council and Martorell’s Musical Youth, opens the call for its 8th edition, which will take place on March 29 and 30 at the Joan Cererols Auditorium in Martorell. Applicants, young singers aged between 18 and 35 of any nationality, can register until February 23, 2025.
After the success obtained last year, with record registrations and the largest number of international participants, the 8th edition of the contest is consolidating itself as an essential appointment for young singers from all over the world. Some of the novelties this year are the increase in the first prize, which goes from 3,500 to 5,000 euros.
“We are making an important step forward because, thanks to the constant and necessary collaboration of the City Council, we have been able to increase the amount of the first prize. This will allow us to grow in every way, because we will attract many more international participants, we will be able to have a better jury, and position ourselves among one of the best singing competitions in the Spanish territory, says Aleix Palau, president of Joventuts Musicals de Martorell.
Aleix Palau, president Joventuts Musicals Martorell
On the other hand, this new edition reinforces the international character of the contest “with the outstanding presence of a jury made up of 11 expert professionals in the sector”, including singers, musical directors and representatives of prestigious institutions in Spain and Europe, he underlines palace Among the members of the jury “there will be representatives of the main Spanish and European musical institutions”.
In the preliminary phase, the jury will consist of Valentin Egel, General Music Director of the Croatian National Theater in Rijeka and the Rijeka Symphony Orchestra; Renzo de Marco, assistant to the artistic direction of the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia in Valencia; Silvia Tro Santafé, mezzo-soprano, and Carmen Valero, secretary of the jury”.
In the semi-final and final phase, the jury will be made up of Julien Benhamou, artistic director of the Aix-en-Provence Festival and casting consultant for the Metropolitan Opera House in New York; Damià Carbonell, artistic director of the Nationale Opera & Ballet in Amsterdam; Albert Castells, casting coordinator of the Gran Teatre del Liceu; Mirna Lacambra, soprano; Erik Malmquist, casting director of the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich; Augusto Techera, artistic production director of the Teatre de la Maestranza in Seville, and Jordi Maddaleno, secretary of the jury.
Aleix Palau, president Joventuts Musicals Martorell
The Josep Palet Competition “positions Martorell in an international framework and is an opportunity for young talent dedicated to lyrical singing, serving as a platform for them to enhance their careers and launch themselves in this very complicated field”, comments the councilor of Culture, Sergi Corral. “The contest is also an opportunity for the people of Martorell to enjoy unusual interpretations of high quality, a few meters away, and participate in the choice of the public’s prize”.
Sergi Corral, regidor de Cultura
Applicants, young singers aged between 18 and 35 of any nationality, can register for the competition until February 23, 2025 using the form available at this link. For the selection phase, they must present a recording of an opera aria or zarzuela made in the last 12 months.
Three main awards and ten special awards
This year, the competition comes with more prizes than ever, adding a total value of 8,000 euros in the three main categories and with new special prizes.
The winner of the first prize will receive an endowment of 5,000 euros, a tour in the Xarxa de Músiques de Joventuts Musicals de Catalunya, a tour in the Xarxa de Músiques de Joventuts Musicals de España, a concert at Cicle M’Clàssics de Martorell, a accreditation diploma and the world premiere of a work by the composer Fabià Santcovsky,
“Every year we invite a composer to the competition, thanks to the prize sponsored by the Francesc Pujols Foundation. This time it will be Fabià Santcovsky, awarded with the Reina Sofía Composition Prize, and one of the most prestigious in Spain. Santcovsky will write a work for the winning person inspired by the figure or based on a text by the philosopher from Martorell”, points out Palau.
Aleix Palau, president Joventuts Musicals Martorell
For their part, the second and third prize winners will receive 2,000 euros and 1,000 euros, respectively, and will offer concerts at the Cicle M’Clàssics de Martorell.
The contest will also award a selection of ten special prizes, including the Victoria of the Angels Award for participating in the masterclasses and training activities of the Victoria de los Ángeles Foundation and the LIFE Victoria festival; contracts with the Museu de la Música de Barcelona, the Associació dels Amics de l’Opera de Sabadell, Amics de la Música de Valls, Casa Elizalde de Barcelona and during the M’Clàssics season; a concert at the Sopars Lírics at the Restaurant 7 Portes and credentials that include the Audience Award, Award for the best performer of Catalan music and Award for the best performer of Italian bel canto.
Source: martorelldigital.cat
