38th International Maria Callas Grand Prix – OPERA by the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation and the International Cultural Center ATHENAEUM

From the 4th to the 11th of October 2014, a major artistic event returns to Athens.  The International Maria Callas Grand Prix in opera and piano, an event which, since 1974, has been established within the artistic world of Greece by the Athenaeum International Cultural Centre, finds its feet once again in cooperation with the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation, following its inclusion in the Priority Axis 2 “Sustainable Development and Improvement of Quality of Life” of the “Attica” Regional Operational Programme of the NSRF 2007-2013.

In the Autumn of  2014, the Athenaeum International Cultural Centre will count 40 years since its founding and that of the homonymous Conservatory by Louli Psichouli, maestro and Anna Koukouraki, pianist.  Right from the beginning some of the greatest Greek personalities supported and believed in the vision of the Athenaeum, and the originally International Music Competitions of Greece and later the Maria Callas Grand Prix met with great success, acquiring international prestige and so they continued to be organized on a yearly basis, alternating each year, between opera and piano right up until 2011. 

During the 37 years of its existence, more than 1.800 artists from all over the world have taken part in the competition and many of those awarded its prizes now have international careers at some of the greatest opera houses and most distinguished concert halls in the world.

During the years 2012 and 2013 it was impossible for the organization of the Maria Callas Grand Prix Opera to go ahead due to the dire financial situation in Greece.

As of 2014 a new period begins for the Maria Callas Grand Prix Opera – Piano. Beginning with the inauguration of the cooperation with the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation as co-organizer of the competition, the Maria Callas Grand Prix has secured its place not only for 2014 (Opera, 4-11.10.2014) but also for 2015 (Piano, 14-23.10.2014) thanks to the support provided by the Ministry of Culture and Sport for the inclusion of the completion in the Priority Axis 2 “Sustainable Development and Improvement of Quality of Life” of the “Attica” Regional Operational Programme of the NSRF 2007-2013.

From the 4th to the 11th of October 2014, for the duration of the most demanding competition of its type, worldwide, dedicated to the great Maria Callas, Athens will once again be welcoming young opera singers and music enthusiasts from around the world.  The Maria Callas Grand Prix Opera-Piano has proved that it is an event with its roots set deep in the international world of classical music for, despite the two year suspension, 74 applications were received for this, the 38th organization, of which 52 were young opera singers from 4 continents and 15 countries including Armenia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, England, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Korea, Romania and the Ukraine.

All in all, during this operatic festival in Athens, 48 young opera singers will be participating, 16 of whom are of Greek nationality.

Women up until 31 years of age: 25 sopranos, 6 mezzo sopranos

Men up until 33 years of age:  10 tenors, 7 baritones


The International Jury Committee

The young contestants will be judged by a jury committee consisting of famous opera singers, professors of music and professionals within the operatic world such as:  Cheryl Studer (President of the Committee, Soprano, USA/Germany), Martina Arroyo (Soprano, USA), Christian Carlstedt (Casting Manager/Bayerische Staatsoper, Germany), Dame Gwyneth Jones (Soprano, Wales), Peter Katona (Casting Director/Royal Opera House – Covent Garden, UK), Myron Michailidis (Conductor / Artistic Director at the Greek National Opera), Miltos Logiadis (Conductor), Sherrill Milnes (Baritone, USA), Guy Montavon (General Manager of the Erfurt Opera Company, Germany)

The Programme:

1st Stage
Saturday 4th, Sunday 5th and Monday 6th of October 2014 from 14:30*
Hall:  Theatre / Michael Cacoyannis Foundation
Free entrance.  Reservation required

2nd Stage, Recital
Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th of October 2014 at 14:30*
Hall:  Theatre / Michael Cacoyannis Foundation
Free entrance. Reservation required

*The 1st and 2nd stages will start at approximately 14:30
Information and reservations:  210.341.8579   Mon-Fri 11:00-14:00

3rd Stage, Final & Awards Ceremony

Saturday 11th October 2014, at 19:30
Greek National Opera, Olympia Theatre
The young opera singers will be accompanied by the Orchestra of the Greek National Opera, under the direction of Loukas Karitinou
Free entrance.  Reservation required

Awards

Women:
Grand Prix:  Gold medal, Diploma and organization of concerts within Greece and abroad
2nd prize:      Silver medal, Diploma
3rd prize:      Silver medal, Diploma

Men:
Grand Prix:  Gold medal, Diploma and organization of concerts within Greece and abroad
2nd prize:      Silver medal, Diploma
3rd prize:      Silver medal, Diploma

“PAOLO MONTARSOLO” SPECIAL AWARD
Awarded to the best bass of the competition by Paolo Montarsolo’s wife, Liliana Montarsolo.

SPECIAL AWARD
Awarded to the best performance by a Greek candidate in the case that no contestant from Greece passes to the 3rd stage.