The Hallé is delighted to announce that over 200 applications for the 2023 Siemens Hallé International Conductors Competition were received, from six continents! These have now been shortlisted to just eight. Over the coming weeks these eight will be reduced to just three finalists, who will continue through the process that culminates in the public final and the announcement of the winner on Tuesday 14 March 2023 in Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall. The eight shortlisted candidates are:
Charlotte Politi - Italy
Abner Padrino - Venezuela
Bjarni Frimann Bjarnason - Iceland
Pablo Urbina - Spain
Agata Zajac - Poland
Konstantinos Terzakis - Greece
Euan Shields - USA / Japan
Chloé Meyzie - France
This is the second Siemens Hallé International Conductors Competition following the hugely successful inaugural edition, which was held at Hallé St Peter’s, Ancoats, in 2020. This year’s event will take place in both Hallé St Peter’s and The Bridgewater Hall.
Each of the three finalists will prepare all of the repertoire listed below. On the day, they will each conduct The Marriage of Figaro Overture and one of the other symphonic works:
Elgar Enigma Variations
Sibelius Symphony No.3
Stravinsky Firebird Suite
The first Siemens Hallé International Conductors Competition in 2020 was recognised as a great success, with an exhaustive application process involving 287 candidates across 55 countries. Several of the finalists – including Joel Sandelson, Chloé Dufresne and Rodolfo Barráez – have excelled on podiums around the world. The competition’s inaugural winner and the Hallé’s current Assistant Conductor was Delyana Lazarova, already a popular figure with audiences and musicians, and celebrated for her boundless energy and musical insight. Next year’s competition will reward the talents of another emerging conductor with a minimum two-year engagement as Assistant Conductor of the Hallé, during which they will develop their skills under the mentorship of the Hallé’s Music Director Sir Mark Elder.
The position of Hallé Assistant Conductor is a prestigious role for upcoming conductors, and has been held, over the past twenty years, by figures such as Edward Gardner, Andrew Gourlay, Ewa Strusińska, Jamie Phillips and now Delyana Lazarova herself. As well as leading the Hallé Youth Orchestra during their tenure, the winning conductor will have the opportunity to establish themselves on the world stage through guest conducting appearances.
The Siemens Hallé International Conductors Competition builds upon a remarkable partnership between the Hallé and Siemens that has been developed over the last two decades. Creating links between engineering and music, Siemens and the Hallé have not only brought classical music to Manchester audiences, they have collaborated on delivering a variety of education and community outreach projects that engage children and support communities throughout the North of England.
David Butcher, Chief Executive of the Hallé, said: “The Hallé’s Assistant Conductorship has a track record for impacting the lives of rising stars, many of whom have gone on to great commercial and critical success. Following the huge success of the first Siemens Hallé Conductors competition in 2020, we are thrilled to announce the next iteration, with the finals open to the public at The Bridgewater Hall on 14 March 2023. A huge thank you to Siemens for their support and for extending this opportunity to global audiences, bringing the very best and brightest musical talent to Manchester.”
Stephan Frucht, Artistic Director Siemens Arts Program, said: “The Siemens Arts Program places high importance on sustainably fostering the development of up-and-coming young artists. Therefore, we are pleased to strengthen our partnership with the Hallé through the second Siemens Hallé International Conductors Competition. This competition offers a wonderful platform for upcoming conducting talent to develop their abilities and bring their musical leadership skills to the next level.”
The judging panel for the competition will comprise Sir Mark Elder, Music Director of the Hallé; Professor Dr Stephan Frucht, Artistic Director of the Siemens Arts Programme; David Butcher, Chief Executive of the Hallé; Anna Hirst, Head of Artistic Planning for the Hallé; Angela Dixon, Chief Executive Saffron Hall; Carola Reul, Managing Director Junge Deutsche Philharmonie; and Sergey Smbatyan, Principal Conductor, Armenian State Symphony Orchestra.
Tickets for the final on 14 March are now available from www.halle.co.uk or by ringing 0161 907 9000.
The 2020 Siemens Hallé International Conductors Competition attracted 287 applicants, representing 55 countries across all six continents.