07/12/2015 – Bror Magnus Tødenes
winner Opera section
Bror Magnus Tødenes (born 1993) grew up on the coast in mid-West Norway in the small village of Eiksund in the municipality of Ulstein.
He became interested in music early on, starting with piano lessons at the age of eight before turning to the electric guitar and finally to classical song and opera. He enrolled in the talent programme at the Institute of Music in Trondheim before studies at the Conservatorio di Musica Cecilia Roma in Italy with Professor Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz.
Still only 22 years of age, he is impressing at the highest level. He is the recipient of 1st Prize and Audience Prize at the Renata Tebaldi International Voice Competition in September 2015, and in addition was selected for the Salzburg Festival Young Artist Programme in 2015. He returns to Salzburg for the Easter Festival in 2016 in the role of Rodrigo in Othello and will perform with the Oslo Philharmonic, Bergen Festival and Stavanger and Trondheim Symphony Orchestras during the 2015-16 season. He has also received several grants, among them ‘Erling Kroghs sangerlegat’ awarded by the Norwegian National Opera (of which he is the youngest winner ever.
In November 2014 his debut CD “Remembering Jussi” was released by Simax Classic (with Håvard Gimse (piano) and Norwegian Radio Orchestra conducted by Ingar Bergby) to critical acclaim. It was immediately nominated for a “Spellemanpris” – the Norwegian equivalent of the Grammys.
“As for the competition I am very happy about everything. I really liked the hotel we were staying in, and that we had rooms where we could practice.
I can say for sure that I have never been as nervous as I was at this competition though. Probably because it was my first competition. But I stayed in my room all week, vocalizing and making sure that I did not get sick, and when it was time to go on stage, I just had to remember all the technique I have been working on with my teacher Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz. And it all went very well, and I am very happy! :-)”
Listen Bror Magnus Tødenes: P.I. Čajkovskji “Kuda, kuda, kuda vi udalilis” Evgenij Onegin
11/11/2015 – Lucía Martín-Cartón
Winner first prize – Ancient and Baroque Repertoire section
“I was born in Valladolid, a city in the north of Spain.
Musical traditions have always been part of my family. My father conducted a choir and taught music and my sister too teaches music to children in a school. When I was a little girl, I used to sing in choirs and at 9 years old I started to study the violin.
At 18, I began to study voice, my true passion, and at the age of 21 I moved to Italy. Here I decided that voice would be life. Then, I went to Valencia to attend the local conservatory of music.
I have studied opera with great maestros and I specialised in the Baroque repertoire attending courses and master classes until I obtained a master in ancient music at ESMUC in Barcelona.
Several collaborations made me travel around the world. I have met professionals with whom I have shared artistic and human experiences and with them I understood what being a professional and singing in any situation and difficulty mean.
During one of these journeys I met my friend Carlo Vistoli, who had won the last edition of the Renata Tebaldi International Voice Competition. He told me about his experience and convinced me to come to San Marino.
I lived all the Competition with so much emotion but I was also aware that I had been training all the previous summer as I knew it would be a challenge, especially to myself. I carefully prepared the programme for the Competition, conscious of the difficulties awaiting me, and I tried to make the best use of my possibilities.
I found a really welcoming and positive atmosphere and I met great singers and friends. We established good relationships between us and the organization was absolutely wonderful, careful and always trying to fulfil all our needs.
I have lived so many emotions during the Competition. I sang first on the first day and I was really nervous but I counted on the experience I had gained during other similar events where I had done well so I became more self-confident. I listened to the other singers and the general level was very high. Then, I reached the semi-finals and the final: I was really satisfied and happy with the result.
During the final, I was incredibly anxious but singing one of my favourite arias by Monteverdi with the ensemble conducted by maestro Giardini made my performance easier and I felt really glad about that. I was absolutely astonished when they told me I had won. I did not expect it and I will never forget that thrill.
I would like to thank all the people involved in this Competition and those who have shared this wonderful moment with me”.
Play and listen Lucía Martín-Cartón: C. Monteverdi L’Orfeo “Dal mio Permesso amato”
08/10/2015 – ELIZABETH NORBERG-SCHULZ
Honorary Member of the Renata Tebaldi Foundation
The famous soprano Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz was the special guest of the International Voice Competition Opera Section Final-Winners Concert, which was at Teatro Nuovo in San Marino. While the International Jury have been deciding about the winners, Elizabeth was involved in a deliciuos interview on the stage, her natural place to be, on her carrer.
Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz is now Honorary Member of the Renata Tebaldi Foundation.
08/10/2015 – THE WINNERS
Opera Section
The winners of the 6th edition of the Renata Tebaldi International Voice Competition – Opera section are:
First Prize : Bror Magnus Tødenes, tenor – Norway
Second Prize : Benedetta Torre, soprano – Italy
Third Prize: Vittoriana De Amicis, soprano – Italy
Third Prize: Lucyna Jarzabeck, soprano – Poland
Audience Prize*: Bror Magnus Tødenes, tenor – Norway* the San Marino Clubs (Lions, Rotary, Soroptimist) have offered a scholarship to the finalist most voted by the audience during final concert.
The Winners – Opera section
Lucyna Jarzabek
Vittoriana De Amicis
Benedetta Torre
Bror Magnus Tødenes
Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz
Bror Magnus Tødenes
26/09/2015 – THE FINALISTS
Opera section
The international jury of the Opera section, chaired by M° Dominique Meyer, selected 11 finalists who will compete for the prizes during the final concert taking place this evening at 21.00 at Teatro Nuovo, San Marino.
The program of the concert:
Lavinia Bini | Italy | soprano
G. Donizetti “Prendi, per me sei libero” L’Elisir d’amore
Nozomi Kato | Japan | mezzo-soprano
G. Donizetti “O mio Fernando” La Favorita
Euisung Kim | South Korea | baritono
G. Verdi “E’ sogno? O realtà?” Falstaff
Ekaterina Krasko | Russia | soprano
G. Verdi “Gualtier Maldé .. Caro nome” Rigoletto
Samantha Korbey | USA | mezzo-soprano
W.A. Mozart “Ah, scostati .. Smanie implacabili ” Così fan tutte
Vittoriana De Amicis | Italy| soprano
W.A. Mozart “Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen” Die Zauberflöte
Lucyna Jarząbek | Poland | soprano
G. Verdi “Morrò ma prima in grazia” Un Ballo in maschera
Bum Joo Lee | South Korea | tenor
G. Verdi “O tu che in seno” La Forza del destino
Benedetta Torre | Italy | sopran
G. Puccini “Si, mi chiamano Mimì” La Bohème
Bror Magnus Tødenes | Norway | tenor
P.I. Čajkovskji “Kuda, kuda, kuda vi udalilis” Evgenij Onegin
Margherita Tani | Italy | mezzo soprano
G. Rossini “Nacqui all’affanno” La Cenerentola
The finalists will be accompanied by the Orchestra Sinfonica of the Republic of San Marino directed by M° Matteo Beltrami.
23/09/2015 – THE SEMI-FINALISTS
Opera section
The semi-finalists of Opera section of this 6th Edition of the Renata Tebaldi international voice Competition are 21, 16 girls and 5 men representing 8 different countries: Italy, Poland, Korea, Norway, United States, Russia, China and Japan.
The verdict came after the second day of the preliminary phase and the first performances of competitors performed on the stage of Teatro Titano, accompanied on the piano by Maestri Davide Cavalli, Maria Conti Gallenti and Stefano Giannini. The jury heard two arias for every candidate: one at the discretion of the singer and one of their choice.
Opera section
Tenor
Yang Luo
(China)
Tenor
Bror Magnus Tødenes
(Norway)
Mezzo-soprano
Samantha Korbey
(USA)
Tenor
Bum Joo Lee
(South Korea)
Soprano
Lucyna Jarząbek
(Poland)
Soprano
Elisa Balbo
(Italy)
Soprano
Ekaterina Krasko
(Russia)
Soprano
Soomin Yu
(South Korea)
Soprano
Li Keng
(China)
Baritone
Euisung Kim
(South Korea)
Soprano
Heewon Joo
(South Korea)
Mezzo-soprano
Mariangela Marini
(Italy)
Tenor
Yohan Kim
(South Korea)
Mezzo-soprano
MargheritaTani
(Italy)
Mezzo-soprano
Antonella Carpenito
(Italy)
Soprano
Vittoriana De Amicis
(Italy)
Soprano
Lavinia Bini
(Italy)
Soprano
Benedetta Torre
(Italy)
Soprano
Valentina Teresa Mastrangelo
(Italy)
Mezzo-soprano
Nozomi Kato
(Japan)
Mezzo-soprano
Paola Mazzoli
(Italy)
23/09/2015 -MASTERCLASS
The International Voice Competition collateral programme offers a one week Master Class conducted by the famous soprano Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz. On Friday 25th Septemberwill be held the final training concert at Teatro Titano at 9p.m. – free entrance.
23/09/2015 – MARIA CHIARA
Honorary Member of the Renata Tebaldi Foundation
The famous soprano Maria Chiara was the special guest of the International Voice Competition Ancient & Baroque Repertoire Section Final-Winners Concert, which was at Teatro Titano in San Marino. While the International Jury have been deciding about the winners, Maria Chiara was involved in a deliciuos interview on the stage, her natural place to be, on her long and brillant carrer.
Maria told about her first meeting with her idol Renata and the emotions she felt.
Maria Chiara is now Honorary Member of the Renata Tebaldi Foundation.
21/09/2015 – THE WINNERS
Ancient and Baroque Repertoire section
The winners of the 6th edition of the Renata Tebaldi International Voice Competition – Ancient & Baroque Repertoire section are:
First Prize : Lucía Martín Cartón, soprano – Spain
Second Prize : Lavinia Bini, soprano – Italy
Third Prize: Arianna Stornello, soprano – Italy
Audience Prize*: Lavinia Bini, soprano – Italy
* the San Marino Clubs (Lions, Rotary, Soroptimist) have offered a scholarship to the finalist most voted by the audience during final concert.
21/09/2015 – THE FINALISTS
Ancient and Baroque Repertoire section
The International Jury selected the 6 finalists of the Ancient & Baroque Repertoire section who will be participating to the Final and Winners Concert on 19th September.
This time it’s a European final-winners concert:
Alice Rossi, soprano – Italy
Lucía Martín Cartón, soprano – Spain
Víctor Jíménez Diaz, countertenor – Spain
Arianna Stornello, soprano – Italy
Benedetta Mazzucato, contralto – Italy
Lavinia Bini, soprano – Italy
Ancient & Barocco Repertoire section
Soprano
Alice Rossi
(Italy)
Contralto
Benedetta Mazzucato
(Italy)
Soprano
Arianna Stornello
(Italy)
Soprano
Lucìa Martìn Cartòn
(Spain)
Countertenor
Víctor Jiménez Díaz
(Spain)
Soprano
Lavinia Bini
(Italy)
17/09/2015 – THE 12 SEMI-FINALISTS
Ancient and Baroque Repertoire section
The semi-finalists of Ancient and Baroque Repertoire section of this 6th Edition of the Renata Tebaldi International Voice Competition are 11 girls and one man representing 5 different countries: Italy, Spain, Korea, United States and Japan.
The verdict came after the first day of preliminary phase and the first performances of competitors performed on the stage of Teatro Titano, accompanied on the harpsichord by Maestri Federica Bianchi and Filippo Pantieri. The jury heard two arias for every candidate: one at the discretion of the singer and one of their choice, Vivaldi and Händel most popular composers.
The President of the international Jury, Sebastian F. Schwarz is satisfied: “we started our work in a very relaxed atmosphere and open dialogue. The level of the candidates is very high.” This will promise to be so arduous work of the semi-final which will reduce to maximum 6 the number of competitors to argue over the final on Saturday evening.
Ancient & Barocco Repertoire section
Soprano
Alice Rossi
(Italy)
Contralto
Benedetta Mazzucato
(Italy)
Soprano
Arianna Stornello
(Italy)
Mezzo-soprano
Alessia Martino
(Italy)
Soprano
Leslie Visco
(Italy)
Soprano
Antonia Harper
(Italy)
Soprano
Kyoko Hattori
(Japan)
Soprano
Lucìa Martìn Cartòn
(Spain)
Soprano
Soo Yeon Lim
(South Korea)
Mezzo-soprano
Margherita Rotondi
(Italy)
Countertenor
Víctor Jiménez Díaz
(Spain)
Soprano
Lavinia Bini
(Italy)
17/09/2015 – PRESS RELEASE
San Marino, 16 September 2015
Today, 16 September, is the first day of the 6th edition of the Renata Tebaldi International Voice Competition, the prestigious event longed for by the famous soprano, who chose San Marino as her last residence, and organized since 2005 by the Foundation name after the great artist.
The Competition, which takes place once every two years in the old Republic, is supported by both San Marino institutions (High Patronage of Their Excellencies the Captains Regent and of the Congress of State) and important Italian entities such as the alla Scala Theatre of Milan and the San Carlo Theatre of Naples.
In these 10 years of activity, the praise of the critics and of the audience has made this event one of the leading competitions in the world of opera and for sure a springboard for the career of young competing talents.
This year, the competitors come from 18 nations: from East to West, from Korea to the USA, from Australia to Brazil, Armenia, Europe and, of course, Italy, the birthplace of bel canto. 70 singers will perform on the stages of San Marino, men and women of 18 to 32 years of age selected among over 150 applications received and representing about 30 different nationalities as a proof of the international character of this event.
The organizing team, led by the Artistic Director of the Renata Tebaldi Foundation, Angelo Nicastro, is really imposing while the members of the two International Juries are big names of opera.
Actually, there are two different Juries for the two Sections of the Competition: the first one, on schedule from 16 to 19 September, is dedicated to Ancient and Baroque Repertoire, while the second one, taking place from 22 to 26 September, is dedicated to Opera.
In both Sections, the singers admitted to the Preliminary stage and to the Semi-finals will perform on the stage of the wonderful Teatro Titano, an architectural jewel dating back to the 19th century in the heart of the Old Town Centre. The Winners’ Concert for the Ancient and Baroque Repertoire is taking place here on 19 September and the performers will be accompanied by the Baroque Orchestra of the Bruno Maderna Conservatory of Musicconducted by M° Luca Giardini. As for the Opera Section, the Competition will move to Teatro Nuovo in Doganafor the Finals on Saturday 26 September.
Wider stalls to sit over 500 people and an important stage for the Symphony Orchestra of the Republic of San Marino conducted M° Matteo Beltrami.
Both conductors are also members of the International Jury in their respective Section and along with the other jurors they will judge the singers and choose the winners.
Besides an important money prize, the winners will be offered an agreement by the Presidents of the Juries, a tangible opportunity for these guys to start a professional career and a proof of the level of quality reached by the Competition and its performing artists.
Therefore, Sebastian F. Schwarz and Dominique Meyer will make this commitment come true: the first one as the Artistic and Casting Director of the Theatre of Vienna, one of the most prestigious opera houses in Europe, while Meyer is the Manager of the Staatsoper, the most ancient theatre in Austria and one of the most distinguished institutions internationally in the field of opera with over 300 musical performances a year.
Schwarz will chair the Jury of the Baroque Section. He will coordinate Luca Giardini, in his role as concertmaster,Anne Blanchard, founder and Artistic Director of the International Festival of Baroque Opera of Beaune, the capital of the Bourgogne region, Laurent Brunner, president of “Château de Versailles Spectacles”, the company managing the Palace of Versailles and its famous programme. Once again in San Marino as a member of the Jury of the first Section is Gloria Banditelli, a mezzo-soprano from the Umbria region and presently a teacher of Renaissance music.
For the Opera Section, besides young conductor Matteo Beltrami, born in 1975, other big names have been invited: Jorma Silvasti, the most famous Finnish tenor and the Artistic Director of the Opera Festival of Savonlinna, Guido Barbieri, an internationally renown journalist and librettist, and Evamaria Wieser, a casting advisor of the Lyric Opera Chicago, the Opera in Rome and the Salzburg Festival, for which she is in charge of the Young Singer Program (YSP).
Top-quality personalities will come to San Marino by invitation of the Renata Tebaldi Foundation and after intense days of auditions, they will announce the winners.
In 2013, Carlo Vistoli and Eve-Maud Hubeaux were awarded the first prize in the two Sections and today they are both on an international tour. They represent the fulfilment of that dream made of art and music for which Renata Tebaldi wanted her Competition.
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