Dates: 15 July - 18 July 2025 | Florence, Italy

This festival is run by the co- founder of the Florence International Choir Festival, Leonardo Sagliocca. The Festival’s concept is focused on Leonardo Da Vinci principally in the choice of venues, where Leonardo’s father, Ser Piero – a notary in Florence – and Leonardo himself worked. LEONARDO DA VINCI INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL has the goal to create a great opportunity for cultural exchange between the different geographical and artistic traditions of the participating countries – music is an excellent vehicle for sharing knowledge and friendship among peoples.

LEONARDO DA VINCI INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL is open to all genres of choral singing, even with instrumental presence, according to the rules and categories expressed in the “CATEGORIES” section.

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. Florence is 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.

Choir Contact Ireland can help you plan an unforgettable choral trip for your choir. We take care of the planning and logistical arrangements, dealing with the ground operators and organisers, allowing you to focus on the singing. Contact us today for more information and sing with your choir in Florence, Italy!

PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES

Choir Categories

Category A - Mixed Choirs Adults

Category B - Equal Voices Choirs Adults

Category C - Youth & University Choirs

Category D - Children Choirs

Category E - Chamber Choirs, Vocal and Instrumental Ensembles

Category F - Sacred Music

Category G - Popular, Folk, Gospel, Barbershop, Jazz and Modern Ensembles

Category H - Early Music

Category M - Modern and Contemporary Music

Category Z  - Non-competitive Choirs (only concerts)

Each choir will perform 3 pieces in each category. The total performance time must be between 9 and 15 minutes

Performances While in Florence

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

- The Competition

- The Evening Concerts

Adjudicating Criteria

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

- Intonation

- Vocal Production

- Insieme

- Dynamics

- Repertoire

- Diction

- 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 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.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1

• Finalists’ Competition for the Choral Grand Prix: 4 pm
• Awarding Ceremony: 6:30 pm
• Final Concert: 8:30 pm; Conductor Tim Sharp
• During the Final Concert participating choirs will also perform famous Opera Choruses (not obligatory but recommended)
• Festival Dinner for all participants, Jury & Staff: 9:30 pm

DEADLINE

Registration deadline: To be Confirmed

FLIGHTS