Born in 1962, the Competition has seen generations of violinists and it represents the main point of reference for the Italian Schools for string instruments: in fact, whoever wins the first prize at the "Città di Vittorio Veneto" can count on a solid start for a brilliant concert and teaching career.
The event has the support of prestigious musical institutions, such as the Fondazione Teatro alla Scala in Milan; in each edition the best violinists on the Italian and international scene have been called to be part of the jury, as well as popular composers, orchestra conductors and musicologists.
In the midst of preparations for the 33rd edition, the Councilor for Culture of the City of Vittorio Veneto, Antonella ULIANA, says: «The Violin Competition is coming. We are all working with enthusiasm and passion because it will have to be a great moment of international music, art and culture in Vittorio Veneto. All the premises are positive».
In 2020, the Municipality of Vittorio Veneto decided to relaunch the Competition after a seven-year standstill in an international dimension, involving young talents from the European Union and giving the artistic direction to Francesco DE ANGELIS, a well-known violinist (winner in 1993 of the "Premio Città di Vittorio Veneto", the old name of the Competition). In 1998, after winning an international competition, De ANGELIS was chosen by Riccardo Muti to fill the role of Accompanist both in the Orchestra of the Teatro alla Scala and in the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Scala, roles that he still holds. De ANGELIS is also a professor at the Lausanne Conservatory of Music in Sion (Switzerland).
Francesco DE ANGELIS, reconfirmed for this edition, introduces us to his colleagues in the direction of the Competition: «I welcome this prestigious Jury with joy! Starting with the President of it, Ernesto SCHIAVI, already in the first violins of the Orchestra Teatro alla Scala; creator together with Claudio Abbado of the Scala’s Philharmonic Orchestra, then Artistic Director of the RAI National Symphony Orchestra. Thanks to him we will have the opportunity to host an important orchestral formation at the final event of the competition, made up of “Gli Archi della Scala” and musicians of the “Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale RAI”.»
DE ANGELIS continues in the list: «Matthias WOLLONG, Konzertmeister in Dresden Sächsische Staatskapelle, musician with whom I share both the professional title of Spalla and the training received from Maestro Tibor Varga, the last exponent of the great school of violin of the twentieth century, who at the end of his career gave me his class in the school that bore his name.
«Over the course of a decade, the Tibor Varga Academy has integrated with the Lausanne High School of Music where I had the pleasure of meeting and collaborating with Virginie ROBILLIARD, a well-known French soloist, graduated from Lyon and the Juilliard School and winner of numerous prizes at prestigious international competitions. Virginie gladly accepted my personal invitation to be part of our jury.»
DE ANGELIS concludes: «From the renowned Juilliard School in New York, Stefan MILENKOVICH will complete the panel of jurors: assistant of Itzhak Perlman's violin class and winner of numerous prizes at the most important international violin competitions.»
A high-level jury and special attention to the quality of the participants are the right premises for a great 33rd edition of the "Città di Vittorio Veneto" Violin Competition, ready to bring prestige to the local community and also actively contribute as an international showcase for the promotion of the city in terms of tourism and culture.
The program of the 33rd edition has not been entirely defined yet. The organizational committee will share some updates shortly.
On the website www.violinovittorioveneto.it, it is possible to find all the information and archival material.
33rd Violin Competition City of Vittorio Veneto
Prosecco DOC International Prize
22nd – 27th August 2023
Vittorio Veneto (TV), Veneto, Italy