Announcement

The Foundation Mariele Ventre of Bologna is advertising the second edition of the International Competition for Choir Conductors.

Regulations

1.--The competition is open to choir conductors of both genders, who on expiry of 10/07/2003, must not have reached his/her 40th year of age.

2.--To enter the competition, candidates should fill in the form provided. This must be returned by registered mail from Italy, or by an equivalent postal consignment from abroad, to FONDAZIONE MARIELE VENTRE, Largo Mariele Ventre n.3 - 40125 Bologna (ITALY) by 10/7/2003, the date of expiry of the notice. The form arrived later than the dead line, will be accepted according to the date as postmark.

It must show:

a.--personal details of the candidate;

b.--address, telephone number and any e-mail address;

c.--school and musical study curriculum (choir conductor activities must be certified by the choir or music association/institute), videocassette (VHS) or CD (self-certified as authentic) of a performance given by the candidate as choir conductor;

d.--receipt for € 50 entry fee accredited to Post Office account no. 28097400 in the name of Fondazione Mariele Ventre - Largo Mariele Ventre 3 40125 - Bologna (Italy) the reason of the payment: CMV 2003.

3.--Competition entry implies acceptance of the regulations, payment of the entry fee, acceptance of the test characteristics, the repertoire and the calendar.

4.--Acceptance of applications is at the sole discretion of the commission, which will examine the single entries and select the participants (maximum number of 12); the selected candidates will be informed not later than 31/07/2003 and will be accommodated free of charge in Bologna.

5.--The winners of the last editions placed first, second or third, cannot take part in the Competition.

6.--All disputes will fall under the jurisdiction of the Court of Bologna.

Competition

1.--The competition will be staged from 9 to 12 October 2003 at the Aula Absidale of Santa Lucia in Bologna, Via de' Chiari, 23 and it will consist of two stages: a preliminary stage and a final one.

2.--The calendar of preliminary tests will be notified to the selected candidates by registered letter not later than 31 July 2003. Candidates will be admitted to the tests in alphabetical order. The first letter will be selected by draw.

3.--The preliminary stage involves the performance of three excerpts drawn by the candidate, one for each of the three historical periods included in the repertoire.

4.--Each candidate has a brief rehearsal of 15' before the performance.

5.--The final stage includes the performance of three excerpts drawn by the candidate, one for each of the three historical periods included in the repertoire; this stage contemplates the participation of a maximum of 5 candidates, who have a brief rehearsal of 15' before the performance.

6.--The test, both during the preliminary stage and final stage, consists of a performance on three excerpts drawn one hour before the beginning of the competition: each candidate shall hold three draws, one for each of the three periods (Renaissance - Baroque, Romantic, Modern-Contemporary).

Concerning the Renaissance-Baroque period, each candidate will direct the "Ad Libitum" Choir from Siviglia.

Concerning the Romantic period, each candidate will direct the "Capella Cracoviensis" Choir from Cracovia.

Concerning the Modern-Contemporary period, each candidate will direct the "Coro Euridice" from Bologna.

Prizes

1.--Three prizes entitled to Mariele Ventre will be awarded, on the basis of the final judgement of the Jury:

€ 5.200,00 + silver cup of the Presidency of the Italian Republic to the winner,

€ 2.600,00 to the runner-up,

€ 1.600,00 to the candidate placed third.

2.--The candidates placed first, second and third will be obliged to participate free of charge in the final concert in Bologna, under penalty of cancellation of the prize.

Languages

Competition's official languages are Italian and English. Other languages acceptable, prior to notice being given by the candidate, in relations with the choir will be French, German and Spanish.

Final dispositions

1.--The winners renounce any compensation for any recordings or televising by public or private television companies.

2.--In the case of force majeure, the Foundation reserves the right to make any amendments to these regulations.

3.--The material that has been sent, will not be returned.