International Competition of symphonic composition
A PROJECT BY
CAMERATA STRUMENTALE DI PRATO
LA FILHARMONIE - ORCHESTRA FILARMONICA DI FIRENZE
in collaboration with TEMPO REALE
«the Love that moves the sun and the other stars»
The Camerata Strumentale Città di Prato and the Florence Philharmonic Orchestra – la Filharmonie are announcing the third edition of the international competition for symphonic composition Dante 700 – “La dolce sinfonia di paradiso”.
The invitation to engage in a dialogue with Dante has become a biennial event, and is offered again in this third edition, focusing composers’ attention on 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; the image of the Three Circles, representing the mystery of the Trinity and the Incarnation; and the renowned final line, «the Love that moves the sun and the other stars».
The competition
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.
The jury
- Anders Hillborg (President) – Composer
- Silvia Colasanti – Composer
- Mauro Montalbetti – Composer, Artistic Director Cantiere Internazionale d’Arte in Montepulciano
- Jonathan Webb – Music Director Camerata Strumentale di Prato
- Hugo Ticciati – violinist and conductor
- Alberto Batisti – Artistic Director Camerata Strumentale Città di Prato
- Paolo Cognetti – Composer, Special Projects responsible for La Filharmonie
Prizes
First prize: 5000€
Second prize: 3000€
Third prize: 2000€
Publication of the winning score within the series Stilnovo by Edizioni Musicali Curci in Milan and promoted by CIDIM: Italian National Music Committee.
Live performance and audio-video recording of finalist's compositions
Deadlines and Calendar
Applications must be sent no later than the 30th of June 2025, at midnight GMT+1.
The selection of the three finalist compositions will be declared by the 1st of September 2025
All parts of the individual instruments shall be sent no later than 15th September 2025, midnight GMT+1
The results will be announced through the websites of Camerata Strumentale di Prato e della Filharmonie.
Past edition winners
2021 - David John Roche, The waves I ride have never yet been crossed
2023 (ex aequo) - Francesco Darmanin, In alto mar per dritto segno
Michał Ziółkowski, De natura caelestis
Network of collaborations
Orchestra
- Camerata Strumentale di Prato
- Orchestra Filarmonica di Firenze - La Filharmonie
CONDUCTOR Nima Keshavarzi
Partners
- Tempo Reale
- Edizioni Musicali Curci - Milano
- Rete Toscana Classica
- RAI Radio 3
- Società Dante Alighieri
- Teatro Politeama Pratese
- Fondazione Teatro Metastasio - Prato
- Centro per l'Arte Contemporanea Luigi Pecci - Prato
Patronage and Supporters
- Ministero della Cultura - Direzione Spettacolo dal vivo
- CIDIM - Comitato Nazionale Italiano Musica
- Regione Toscana
- Comune di Firenze
- Comune di Prato
- Conservatorio L. Cherubini di Firenze
- Fondazione CR Firenze
- Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Prato