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The 8thEdition Josep Palet International Singing Competition in Martorell Concludes Successfully
The eighth edition of the Josep Palet International Singing Competition in Martorell has concluded successfully after its grand final today, March 30, at the Auditori Joan Cererols.
Following the live auditions on Saturday, March 29, in which 24 semifinalists competed, the jury has declared British baritone Steffan Lloyd Owen the winner. He will receive a €5,000 prize, participation in tours of the Juventudes Musicales de Cataluña and Juventudes Musicales de España, a concert in the M’Clàssics Cycle in Martorell, and the opportunity to perform the world premiere of a work by Fabià Santcovsky, specially composed for the competition, with the sponsorship of the Francesc Pujols Foundation.
Owen has also been awarded the Amics de l’Òpera de Sabadell Special Prize, which includes a contract to participate in a production by the Amics de l’Òpera de Sabadell Association.
The second prize has been awarded to British mezzo-soprano Annabel Kennedy (€2,000, a concert in the M’Clàssics Cycle in Martorell, and a certificate). She has also received the Victoria de los Ángeles Prize, which includes participation in masterclasses and training activities organized by the Victoria de los Ángeles Foundation and LIFE Victoria.
The third prize and the audience award have been granted to South Korean tenor Jihoon Park (€1,000, a concert in the M’Clàssics Cycle in Martorell, and a certificate).
Additionally, the competition’s special prizes have been awarded to four other participants:
- Countertenor Rafael Quirant (Amics de la Música de Valls Prize and Sopars Lírics Prize from Restaurant 7 Portes).
- Soprano Alexandra Nowakowski (Casa Elizalde Prize, Barcelona).
- Soprano Hyerim Kim (Joan Cererols Prize for Best Early Music Performer).
- Bass-baritone Irakli Pkhaladze (Best Performer of Italian Bel Canto Prize).
- The Prize for Best Performer of Catalan Music was declared void.
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The jury for the semifinal and final rounds was composed of:
- Julien Benhamou, Director of Artistic Administration at the Aix-en-Provence Festival and Casting Consultant at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.
- Damià Carbonell, Director of Artistic Administration at the Dutch National Opera & Ballet in Amsterdam.
- Albert Castells, Casting Coordinator at the Gran Teatre del Liceu.
- Mirna Lacambra, soprano and Honorary President of the Òpera a Catalunya Foundation.
- Erik Malmquist, Casting Director at the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich.
- Augusto Techera, Artistic Production Director at the Teatro de la Maestranza in Seville.
- Jordi Maddaleno, Secretary of the Jury.
This edition of the competition, organized by the Martorell City Council and the Juventudes Musicales de Martorell Association, recorded the highest participation in its history, with 126 contestants from 33 nationalities, including Germany, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, South Korea, Croatia, Cyprus, the United States, Finland, France, Georgia, Guatemala, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Russia, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and Venezuela.
WINNERS OF THE VIII Josep Palet International Singing Competition
First Prize: Steffan Lloyd Owen, baritone (United Kingdom)
- €5,000
- Tours with Juventudes Musicales de Cataluña and Juventudes Musicales de España
- Concert in the M’Clàssics Cycle in Martorell
- World premiere of a work by Fabià Santcovsky (in collaboration with the Francesc Pujols Foundation)
Second Prize: Annabel Kennedy, mezzo-soprano (United Kingdom)
- €2,000
- Concert in the M’Clàssics Cycle in Martorell
Third Prize: Jihoon Park, tenor (South Korea)
- €1,000
- Concert in the M’Clàssics Cycle in Martorell
SPECIAL PRIZES
Victoria de los Ángeles Prize: Annabel Kennedy, mezzo-soprano (United Kingdom)
Amics de l’Òpera de Sabadell Prize: Steffan Lloyd Owen, baritone (United Kingdom)
Joan Cererols Prize: Hyerim Kim, soprano (South Korea)
Best Performer of Italian Bel Canto Prize: Irakli Pkhaladze, bass-baritone (Georgia)
Amics de la Música de Valls Prize: Rafael Quirant, countertenor (Spain)
Sopars Lírics Prize (Restaurant 7 Portes): Rafael Quirant, countertenor (Spain)- Casa Elizalde Prize (Barcelona): Alexandra Nowakowski, soprano (Poland)
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