Six young singers reach the finals

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SIX YOUNG SINGERS REACH THE FINALS
OF THE MONTREAL INTERNATIONAL MUSICAL COMPETITION

Finalists, among which one Canadian, will sing at the Maison symphonique
with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal

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Montreal, May 30, 2015 — The semi-finals of the Montreal International Musical Competition (MIMC) came to a close tonight as the international jury selected six finalists. Following the QuarterFinal round in which 23 competitors from 9 countries competed at Salle Bourgie between May 25 and 27, twelve semi-finalists took the same stage on May 29 and 30.

Here is the list of the finalists who will perform a recital at the Maison symphonique on June 2 and 3, with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) conducted by Maestro Johannes Debus, and will share over $80,000 in prizes:

TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 7:30 PM
Anaïs CONSTANS, soprano (France)
Vasil GARVANLIEV, baritone (Macedonia)
Break
Hyesang PARK, soprano (South Korea)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 7:30 PM
France BELLEMARE, soprano (Canada)
Takaoki ONISHI, baritone (Japan)
Break
Keonwoo KIM, tenor (South Korea)

Following the last recital on Wednesday, June 3, the jury will deliberate and announce the prizewinners. Don’t miss the closing Gala Concert at the Maison symphonique on June 5 at 7:30 p.m. and the chance to applaud the laureates who will be performing with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal right after the official awards ceremony. Let us note that the international jury is composed of David Agler (Canada), Richard Bonynge (Australia), Brian Dickie (United Kingdom), Wolfgang Holzmair (Austria), Marilyn Horne (United States), Edda Moser (Germany), Joseph Rouleau (Canada), and Birgitta Svendén (Sweden).

The complete musical programme of each round is available at http://concoursmontreal.ca/en/thecompetitions/voice/candidates.

For the complete schedule of events, including special activities, and any additional information, please visit the Competition’s new website at www.concoursmontreal.ca.

WEBCASTING

The finals and the Gala Concert will be broadcast live on the MIMC website at http://concoursmontreal.ca/en/webcast, and on the OSM website at www.osm.ca. The masterclass given by Marilyn Horne at Bourgie Hall on Sunday at 2 p.m. will also be broadcast live, then archived. The semi-finals, as well as Wolfgang Hozlmair’s and Richard Bonynge’s masterclasses, are already archived and available for listening on demand.

WHEN AND WHERE TO HEAR THE COMPETITORS | JUNE 2, 3 & 5

FINALS

JUNE 2 & 3, 7:30 p.m
Maison symphonique de Montréal
Orchestre symphonique de Montréal
Guest Conductor: Giancarlo Guerrero
$45, $32, $21 /
$22.50, $16, $10.50 student, 60+

GALA CONCERT

JUNE 5, 7:30 p.m.
Maison symphonique de Montréal
Orchestre symphonique de Montréal
Guest Conductor: Giancarlo Guerrero
$45, $32, $21 /
$22.50, $16, $10.50 student, 60+

Orchestre symphonique de Montréal
Guest Conductor: Johannes Debus

BOX OFFICE

Tickets for the final round and the Gala Concert are available at the Place des Arts box office: www.laplacedesarts.com | 514-842-2112 | 1 866-842-2112.

BEFORE THE FINALS | JUNE 2 & JUNE 3

The MIMC will hold two special presentations prior to each evening of the Finals, at 6 p.m., in the Foyer Allegro at the Maison symphonique. On June 2, the focus will be on recollections and anecdotes from three great musicians and friends—Richard Bonynge, Marilyn Horne, and Joseph Rouleau, joined by host Dennis Trudeau. On June 3, the founder and Editor-in-Chief of the French publication Opéra Magazine, Richard Martet, will present “Great Voices of Quebec,” joined by host Sylvia L’Écuyer. Admission is free upon presentation of a ticket for the Finals, which will follow at 7:30 p.m.

MASTERCLASS AND “CINEVOX” | MAY 31

On Sunday, May 31, at 2 p.m., take advantage of the valuable teachings that a member of the international jury will impart on talented young singers: mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne. Presented in Bourgie Hall, this masterclass is free and open to the public.

Through a partnership with medici.tv, the MIMC is presenting a free mini film festival entitled “Cinevox,” featuring documentaries on five 20^th century legends: soprano Julia Varady, baritone Dietrich Fischer-Diskau, contralto Kathleen Ferrier, tenor Enrico Caruso, and soprano Maria Callas. The screenings will take place in the auditorium at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, on May 31, starting at 11 a.m.

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The mission of the Montreal International Musical Competition is to discover and support young singers, violinists and pianists who demonstrate exceptional mastery of their art. The MIMC is the only international competition in North America to be held annually and to present three disciplines in a three-year rotation. Since its first edition dedicated to voice in 2002, more than 2,400 hopefuls have entered the Competition and over 400 have performed in Montreal, much to the delight of music lovers.

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Source:
Montreal International Musical Competition
Isabelle Ligot
Communications Manager
+1 514-845-4108, ext. 236
iligot@concoursmontreal.ca

Media Relations: Martin Boucher
+ 1 514-778-0989
martin@bouchercommunications.com