04th Michelangelo International Music Festival

Date: 11 April - 14 April 2024

Join Choirs from all over the world in Florence

 

 

 

 

About the 04th 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 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 opportunity for cultural exchange between the different geographical and artistic traditions of the participating countries. This event represents not only an important moment of methodological challenge and interpretative discipline in choral music, but also an opportunity to share and exchange our human experience. 
MICHELANGELO INTERNATIONAL MUSIC 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 subscribe to one or more categories, following a request for participation by completing an application form.

 

Florence

 

Florence – cradle of the Renaissance, renowned throughout the world as a UNESCO World Heritage city, with its immeasurable heritage of history, architecture and art – forms the stunning backdrop to this remarkable festival.

Sample Itinerary 

 

Day 1 
  • Opening Ceremony: 4 pm
  • Evening Concert: 8:30 pm
Day 2 
  • Competition: 10 am to 6 pm
  • Evening Concert: 8:30 pm
Day 3 
  • Competition: 10 am to 2 pm
  • Awarding Ceremony: 7 pm
  • Final Concert: 8:30 pm
  • Festival Dinner for Conductors, Jury & Staff: from 9:30 pm
Day 3 
 
  • Choirs depart

 

Performances while in Florence

 

All groups participating in the festival will perform in two stages:
  1. The Competition
  2. The Evening Concerts

 

Categories 

 

CHOIRS
A Mixed Choirs Adults
B Equal Voices Choirs Adults
C Youth & University Choirs
D Children Choirs
E Chamber Choirs, Vocal and Instrumental Ensembles
F Sacred Music
G Popular, Folk, Gospel, Barbershop, Jazz and Modern Ensembles
H Early Music
M Modern and Contemporary Music
Z Non-competitive Choirs (only concerts)
ORCHESTRAS
A Adult Orchestras
B Youth & University Orchestras
C Children Orchestras
D Symphonic Orchestras
E String Orchestras
F Wind and/or Brass Orchestras and Ensembles
G Folk, Jazz & Popular Orchestras and Ensembles
H Big Band Orchestras
I Baroque Ensembles
L Orchestra or Ensembles with free instrumentation
Z Non-competitive Orchestras and Ensembles
Each group will perform 3 pieces. The total performance time must be between 9 and 15 minutes
The programme of the Competition must be minimum of 3 pieces with a maximum duration of 15 minutes.

Category Rules 

 

CHOIRS
Categories A, B, C, D, E
1. one work of “classical” repertoire (1700-1900)
2. one work from the choir’s country of origin
3. one work of the choir’s own choice
Category F
1. one work of Renaissance polyphony a cappella
2. one work of Italian composer
3. one work of the choir’s own choice
Category G
1. one popular Italian song with original arrangement
2. one work from the choir’s country of origin
3. one work of the choir’s own choice
for Jazz Ensembles
1. one work from the great American Jazz repertoire
Category H
1. one work composed before year 1400
2. one work composed before year 1600
3. one work composed before year 1750
– minimum one piece must be a cappella
– one piece must be from the Italian repertoire
– one piece must be from the choir’s country of origin
Category M
1. one work to be chosen among the downloadable pieces in the sections “Renowned Composers” and “Emerging Composers” of this website 
2. one work of modern music (1900-2000)
3. one work composed after 2000
ORCHESTRAS
Categories A, B, C, D, E, F
1. one work of “classical” repertoire (1700-1900)
2. one work of Italian composer
3. one work of the orchestra’s own choice
Category G
1. one work of Italian composer
2. one work from the orchestra’s country of origin
3. one work of the orchestra’s own choice
for Jazz Ensembles
1. one work from the great American Jazz repertoire
Category H
1. one work of “classical” repertoire (1700-1900)
2. one work of Italian composer
3. one work from the orchestra’s country of origin
Category I
1. one work of Italian composer
2. one work composed before year 1650
3. one work composed before year 1750
Category L
1. one work from the orchestra’s country of origin
2. one work of Italian composer
3. one work of the orchestra’s own choice
 
PRIZES
In each category the Jury will assign the following prizes:
1st place: Gold Medal, Golden Diploma
2nd place: Silver Medal, Silver Diploma
3rd place: Bronze Medal, Bronze diploma
 
SPECIAL PRIZES
Grand Prix for the best Choir: for the Best Group of the Festival: 1.500 Euros and “Il Fiorino d’oro”, Florentine pure gold coin
Grand Prix for the best Orchestra: for the Best Group of the Festival: 1.500 Euros and “Il Fiorino d’oro”, Florentine pure gold coin
Best Choir Conductor: 500 Euros and Trophy
Best Orchestra Conductor: 500 Euros and Trophy
Best Performance of an Italian piece for Choir: Trophy
Best Performance of an Italian piece for Orchestra: Trophy

 

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
Orchestras will be judged according to the following criteria:
  • 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.

 

Diploma

Level

Points

Bronze Diploma

1

65,01 – 70,00

2

70,01 – 75,00

Silver Diploma

1

75,01 – 80,00

2

80,01 – 85,00

Gold Diploma

1

85,01 – 90,00

2

90,01 – 95,00

3

95,01 – 100,00

 


 

Final Concert  
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.
Enrollment Fee 
 
The enrollment fee for each choir is €200 euros and €150 euros for every additional category. The fee is non refundable. 

 

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 will be offered according to the number of participants.  On request we can organise a longer stay in Florence with visits to other Italian cities.
The Festival will organize meals for all the choirs and orchestras in typical Florentine restaurants serving traditional Italian food with quick service and inexpensive prices. At the end of the Festival there will be a dinner (offered by the Organisers) for choir and orchestra conductors (up to 2 members for each group), Jury, staff in a very special and historical restaurant in the centre of Florence. All the other participants will have a special dinner-buffet in another venue in Florence.
Application Deadline
Application deadline: 10th January 2020. After receiving the application form, each group will be contacted by email and receive detailed information on further steps. The payment of the enrollment fee must be paid as soon as possible after application.
20th January 2020 – Deadline for the first payment for rooms and board – 40% of the total
10th February 2020 – Deadline for the final payment for rooms and board.
 
Price does not include 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.

 

A quotation costs nothing, so contact us today on 01 888 7830

 or email us at reservations@choircontactireland.ie