05th Michelangelo International Music Festival

Date: 07 April - 10 April 2025

Join Choirs from all over the world in Florence at the Michelangelo International Music Festival

The 05th Michelangelo International Festival

The festival is run by the co-founder of the Florence International Choir Festival, Leonardo Sagliocca. The Festival concept is focused on Michelangelo Buonarroti, the mythical author of the David and many other masterpieces that reside in Florence. The Festival venues are all historically and artistically prestigious and are all related to Michelangelo’s life and work. Music is known to be an excellent vehicle for sharing knowledge and friendship among people and the main aim of the Michelangelo International Music Festival is to create a great an opportunity for musical and cultural exchange between the different geographical and artistic traditions of the participating countries. The festival is open to choirs and orchestras of all ages and typology, according to the rules and categories expressed in the following section.

Each choral group and orchestra may participate in one or more categories.

Florence

Florence – cradle of the Renaissance, renowned throughout the world as a UNESCO World Heritage city, with its immeasurable history, architecture and art forms the stunning backdrop to this remarkable festival. Defining Florence’s landscale are the great churches of the Franciscans and Dominicans which helped shape the cultural development of Europe. They sit alongside the palaces of the Medici and their peers whose artistic patronage helped change the course of art history. Often referred to as the ‘Cradle of the Renaissance’ the city’s museums are unparalleled their paintings and sculptures. This is before we even mention Brunelleschi and his dome.   Choirs can add-on extra tours and excursions such as guided visits to the Uffizzi Gallery, Academy Gallery, the Medici Chapels and the New Sacristy, the Palazzo Medicic Riccardi, The Church of San Lorenzo, the Princes Chapel, the Palatine Gallery and more.  Take a day excursion to see the Tuscan gems of San Gimignano and Siena. Explore the medieval hilltop village of San Gimignano famous for its 13th century towers and Siena, the cradle of Italian Gothic style, famous for its spectacular Dome enjoy a tasting of local wine and Tuscan oils at a nearby winery.  

See the best of Florence as you participate in the Michelangelo Music Festival. 

Sample Itinerary

Day 1

Choirs arrive in Florence and attend the opening ceremony and evening concert

Day 2

Competition perfomances take place between 10 am and 6pm, with the evening concert at 8:30 pm

Day 3

Competition perfomances take place between 10 am and 2pm.

Workshop by Francesco Traversi on a piece from his Oratorio “Il mondo ha molti Re ma un Sol Michelangelo”:  4 pm to 5 pm

Evening concert at 8:30 pm

Day 4

Choirs attend the awards ceremony in the evening followed by the final concert.  After the final concert, a festival dinner is attended by conductors, the jury & staff

Performances while in Florence

All groups participating in the festival will perform in two stages:

1. The Competition
2. The Evening Concerts

Categories 

CHOIRS

Adjudicating Criteria 

Performances will be judged by the international jury whose members include conductors, opera singers and composers, instrumentalists. Choirs will be judged according to the following criteria:

• Intonation
• Vocal Production
• Insieme
• Interpretation
• Dynamics
• Repertoire
• Diction

• Overall Artistic Effect

• Intonation
• Quality of sound
• Insieme
• Interpretation
• Dynamics
• Repertoire
• Precision

• Overall Artistic Effect
•  

The Jury  

The Competition Jury will be composed by a panel from 3 up to 7 members. Each member of the Jury will write a report containing reviews and impressions about the performed repertoire of the choirs and orchestras. The reports will be sent to the choirs by email. According to the mark achieved, Bronze, Silver and Gold Diplomas will be awarded. If the choir or the orchestra does not achieve a Diploma (mark under 65,01) it will receive a certificate of participation.  The decisions of the Jury are final. The Jury, after consideration of all artistic matters, may not award some prizes or may award joint or additional prizes. The Grand Prix will be awarded to to the choir or orchestra (among the best selected) chosen to a final judgment of the jury. 

The final concert will focus on a selected repertoire and will be conducted by a famous musician. The repertoire will be communicated soon after the application. This concert is not compulsory but it is a great chance to enhance the artistic skills of the participating choirs and of the orchestras.

Travel and Accommodation  

Accommodation for all choirs and orchestras will be organized by the festival organisers in single, double, triple, multiple rooms in 2, 3, 4, 5 stars hotels in the historical centre of Florence. For every group, up to three complimentary free accommodation places will be offered according to the number of participants.  

Flights

Once you enquire with CCI you will be given your own dedicated festival planner, and this planner will also assist you with the booking of flights for your group. Choir Contact experienced travel consultants are able to advise you on the most appropriate flight options and will advise best fares at time of booking. We use the most up-to-date modern technology for searching best fares including low cost carriers, allowing us to book you the best flights at the best fares for a fully co-ordinated service. We use both low-cost internet fares and our long-standing relationships with other carries to ensure that we can secure the best travel option for your choir. We will advise you on luggage allowance and all details relating to your flight booking. Travel Insurance CCI recommend that all travellers take out travel insurance at the time of booking.