DANTE 700

The Camerata Strumentale di Prato and the Florence Philharmonic Orchestra – la Filharmonie are announcing the second edition of the International Competition for Symphonic Composition Dante 700 – “La dolce sinfonia di paradiso”.

The submitted scores shall draw inspiration from the Canto XXXIII of Paradise (Divine Comedy) with specific reference to St. Bernard’s Prayer to the Virgin Mary, through whose intercession the Poet is granted the supreme vision—to contemplate God, the final destination of his otherworldly journey (vv. 1-39); the image of the Three Circles, representing the mystery of the Trinity and the Incarnation (vv. 115-132); and the renowned final line, «the Love that moves the sun and the other stars».

The competition is open to composers of any nationality, with no age limit, who are required to compose a symphonic piece (optionally with solo voice and/or live electronics) of maximum 15 minutes duration. A prestigious international jury will oversee the entire process.

Three scores will be selected for the final stage and will be evaluated by the jury on the occasion of a public performance, after which the winner will be declared. The three finalist compositions, in addition to another piece selected as “Special Mention” (if any), will be performed, recorded and broadcast by Rete Toscana Classica. The CIDIM will manage the production and international distribution of the final concert among the network of Italian Cultural Institutions of MAECI.