Botticelli International Choral Festival, Florence
Date: 2024 October - TBA
Join Choirs from all over the world at the Botticelli International Choral Festival
About 2nd Botticelli International Choral Festival
The concept of the festival is focused on the person of Sandro Botticelli, one of the most important Florentine painters of the Renaissance, author of some of the most important masterpieces like “Venere” and “La Primavera”, preserved in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. He belonged to the Florentine School under the patronage of Lorenzo de’ Medici, a movement that Giorgio Vasari would characterize less than a hundred years later in his Vita of Botticelli as a “golden age”. The main aim of the BOTTICELLI INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL is 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.
This event represents not only an important moment of methodological challenge and interpretative discipline in choral music, but also a chance to share and exchange our human experience.
The BOTTICELLI INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL, Florence, with its architectural scenarios of incomparable beauty, is set to join of the circuit of the best international festivals on the 5 continents.
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: October 11, 2020
Opening Ceremony: 4 pm
Evening Concert: 8:30 pm
Day 2: October 12, 2020
Competition: 10 am to 6 pm
Evening Concert: 8:30 pm
Day 3: October 13, 2020
Competition: 10 am to 2 pm
Nomination of the candidates for the Choral Grand Prix: 4 – 5 pm
Evening Concert: 7 pm
Evening Concert: 8:30 pm
Day 4: October 14, 2020
Finalists’ Concert for the Choral Grand Prix: 4 pm
Awarding Ceremony: 7 pm
Final Concert: 9 pm
Festival Dinner for all participants, Jury & Staff: 10 pm
Performances while in Florence
- The Competition
- 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
M Modern and Contemporary Music
Z Non-competitive Choirs (only concerts)
Category Rules
Categories A, B, C, D, E
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one work of classical repertoire
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one work composed from the choir’s country of origin
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one work of the choir’s own choice
Category F
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one work of Renaissance polyphony a cappella
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one work composed from the choir’s country of origin
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one work of the choir’s own choice
Category G
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one work of Italian repertoire with original arrangement
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one work composed from the choir’s country of origin
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one work of the choir’s own choice
for Jazz Ensembles
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one work from the great American Jazz repertoire
Category H
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one work composed before year 1400
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one work composed before year 1600
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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
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one work chosen among a set of pieces recommended by the Organization
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one work of modern music (1900-2000)
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one work composed after 2000
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, Diploma
2nd place: Silver Medal, Diploma
3rd place: Bronze Medal, Diploma
Special prizes
Grand Prix for the Best Choir of the Festival: 2.000 Euros and a reproduction of Venus of Botticelli made by a notable artist)
Best Conductor: 500 Euros and 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
Audience Special Prize: Special Trophy
Adjudicating Criteria
Performances will be judged by the international jury whose members include conductors, opera singers and composers.
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Choirs will be judged according to the following criteria:
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Intonation
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Vocal Production
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Insieme
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Interpretation
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Dynamics
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Repertoire
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Diction
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Overall Artistic Effect
The Jury
There will be 5 members of a different Jury from the Competitions’ Jury, who will decide the winner of the Choral Grand Prix.
The winners of the different categories, if their mark is at least 80,01 points or higher, will be admitted at the Grand Prix Competition. During the Grand-Prix the Choirs will perform a free chosen repertoire lasting between 7 and 10 minutes of pure singing time (it is the duration of the performed pieces excluding applause and going onto or leaving the stage). The pieces must be different from those performed during the categories.
|
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, with orchestra, will focus on a selected repertoire and will be conducted by the famous Japanese Composer, Ko Matsushita. 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 enrollment fee for each Choir is 200 euros and 150 euros for every additional category, non refundable. The Festival enrollment 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.