4th Lorenzo de Medici International Choral Festival

Date: 09 May - 12 May 2024

6th Lorenzo De'medici International Choral Festival, Florence, Italy

The LORENZO DE’ MEDICI INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVALS’ co-founder of the Florence International Choir Festival is Leonardo Sagliocca.
The Festival has the main focused on the person of Lorenzo De’ Medici, called “Il Magnifico”, the Magnificent, and of his family, the House of Medici, one of most influential families in the History, Governors of the City of Florence from 15th to 18th Century.

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. The capital city of Italy’s Tuscany region cradle of the Renaissance, renowned throughout the world as a UNESCO World Heritage city, with its immeasurable heritage of history, architecture and art. With its many galleries, museums and monuments, it is an inspiration to artists to see places such as the Uffizi Gallery and the Palazzo Pitti.
 

 

Sample Itinerary

Day 1
  • Opening Ceremony: 5  pm
  • Evening Concert: 9 pm
Day 2
  • Competition: 10 am to  5 pm
  • Evening Concert: 9 pm
Day 3
  • Competition: 10 am to 2 pm
  • Awarding Ceremony: 7 pm
  • Final Concert: 8.30 pm
  • Festival Dinner for conductors, Jury & Staff : 9:30  pm

 

Performances while in Florence

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

 

Categories

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
 
I             Renaissance Ensembles with Dance
 
M           Modern and Contemporary Music
 
Z           Non-competitive Choirs and Ensembles

 

Each group will perform 3 pieces. The total performance time must be between 9 and 15 minutes

 

Category rules

Categories A, B, C, D, E
  1. one work of classical repertoire
  2. one work composed 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 composed from the choir’s country of origin
  3. one work of the choir’s own choice
Category G
  1. one work of Italian repertoire with original arrangement
  2. one work composed 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 I
  1. one work of Italian Renaissance
  2. one work of Ensemble’s own country of Renaissance period
  3. one work of European Renaissance
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 the choir’s own choice
  3. one work of the choir’s own choice
Category Z (non-competitive)
 
Prizes
In each category the Jury will assign the following prizes:
1st place: 500 Euros (only for categories A, B, C, D, E), Gold Medal, Golden Diploma
2nd place: Silver Medal, Silver Diploma
3rd place: Bronze Medal, Bronze diploma
 
SPECIAL PRIZES
Grand Prix for the Best Choir of the Festival: 2.000 Euros and “Il Fiorino d’oro”, Florentine pure gold coin
Best Conductor: Trophy
Best Male Soloist: Trophy
Best Female Soloist: Trophy
Best Performance of Italian Composer’s Work: Trophy
Best Performance of Contemporary Composer’s Work: Trophy
Best Choreography: Trophy
Best Traditional Costumes: Trophy

ADJUDICATING CRITERIA

Performances will be judged by the international jury whose members include conductors, opera singers and composers.
Choirs will be judged according to the following criteria:
  • Intonation
  • Vocal Production
  • Insieme
  • Interpretation
  • Dynamics
  • Repertoire
  • Diction
  • Overall Artistic Effect

The Jury

The Jury for the Competition will be composed of 5 or 7 members.
The Grand Prix will be awarded to the choir (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 choir.
 
ENROLLMENT FEE
The Festival enrolment fee for each Choir is 200 euros and 150 euros for every additional category, non-refundable. The Festival enrolment fee for each Choir joining only non-competitive concerts (category Z) is 200 euros.

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