13 talented musicians from around the world will get the chance of a lifetime to travel to Vienna, perform with a symphony orchestra in one of the most prestigious concert halls in the world, and be recorded live for international television including PBS SoCal. The online Classical Music competition was launched in summer 2021 to provide an opportunity for young instrumentalists and singers to learn from the feedback of expert judges, compete internationally, and for 13 winners, to step into an international spotlight.
Classicalia competition was born during the pandemic, when the organizers sought to find and give a platform for talented young prodigies all around the globe while guaranteeing 100% safety through the online format. After submitting their video auditions, each applicant will receive thoughtful and productive written feedback from these adjudicators to help propel their musical education.
“COVID-19 stole a lot from young classical musicians. Sure, there has been a lot of extra time for practicing, but very few opportunities to practice many of the softer skills required to succeed. Auditioning, preparing for concerts, playing in front of an audience… these require a set of skills that need practice for any young musician. Missing out on these opportunities over the last year is going to have a big impact on the next generation of performers, and we wanted to do something to overcome that.” said Ella Porett, pianist, teacher, and co-founder of Classicalia.
13 gifted musicians within 4 different categories will be awarded a round trip (flight and accommodation) to Vienna to perform in front of a live audience at the Großer Saal of Wiener Konzerthaus (Great Hall of the Vienna Konzerthaus) in Austria on Sunday, May 1, 2022.
"We feel closer than ever as an international community of classical musicians; the pandemic has had a similar impact on musicians trying to launch performance opportunities. We have three categories of standard Western classical music, and then Category 4 is open to classical music from all over the world. This really is a unique competition where the violin will share the stage with the sitar," says Andrea Warren, one of the organizers of Classicalia.
Attila Glatz has produced the largest simultaneous New Year’s Concert series in North America, featuring European singers, dancers and full symphony orchestras in more than 30 prestigeous venues across North America annually for more than 25 years, from the Lincoln Centre to Roy Thomson Hall. His company also presents films with live orchestra in collaboration with symphonies and concert halls including Meridian Hall (Toronto), Calgary Philharmonic, and Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
Daniel Vadász has produced hundreds of musical theatre performances, festivals and television programs in more than 20 countries. Theatre and music are always the focus of his company’s output. Daniel is the President of BRAAAVI performing arts group.
Ella Porett is the founder and artistic director of the North York Music & Performing Arts Festival and brings to this partnership decades-long experience both as a judge and an organizer of classical music competitions as well as cultivating a roster of pianists through her own teaching studio, masterclasses and workshops. She is the author of a method book "Piano World", and a Senior Examiner with the Royal Conservatory of Music, Canada.
Together the team has brought the television programs "A Salute to Vienna" and "Zoltán Mága and David Foster: Live From Budapest" to PBS in the United States and to broadcasters throughout Europe.
Registration for the competition is open online at www.classicalia.com
