The Hallé is delighted to announce the second Siemens Hallé International Conductors Competition. The competition will take place in both Hallé St Peter’s in Ancoats and The Bridgewater Hall in the spring of 2023. Following the success of the first edition in February 2020 the Hallé is once again pleased to confirm that the competition will be presented in partnership with Siemens AG, a global technology powerhouse that has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality and reliability for nearly 175 years.
The competition will take place over three days in March 2023, culminating with the final on Tuesday 14 March at the Bridgewater Hall. The winner will be announced later that evening. The final will – for the first time – be a public event. Tickets will be available for sale from Monday 16 May 2022 from www.halle.co.uk.
Details of the competition and an online application form are available from www.conductors-competition.com.
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 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. Therefore, 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 include 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, and Anna Hirst, Head of Artistic Planning for the Hallé.