Dante700 – International Competition for Symphonic Composition

The Camerata Strumentale Città 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 score shall draw inspiration from the Canto XI of Paradise (Divine Comedy, Canticle III) with particular focus on the figure of Saint Francis of Assisi and specific reference to verses 28-120 addressing the themes of Peace and Poverty.

The competition is open to composers of any nationality and is without age limit, who should compose a symphonic piece of maximum 15 minutes duration.

A prestigious international jury will oversee the entire process and award the following three prizes:

First prize of 5.000,00 (five thousand/00)€, gross of taxes
Second prize of 3.000,00 (three thousand/00)€, gross of taxes
Third prize of 2.000,00 (two thousand/00)€, gross of taxes

The three finalist scores – along with the possible piece selected as “Special mention” – will be performed in a public concert and recorded by Camerata Strumentale Città di Prato and La Filharmonie, and broadcast by Rete Toscana Classica and RAI5. The audio-video recording of the final concert will be distributed by the CIDIM to the international web of Italian cultural institutes of MAECI. The composers of the three finalist scores are invited to attend and collaborate in the rehearsals prior to the awards concert.

The winning composition (first prize) will be published in the series Stilnovo, promoted by Edizioni Musicali Curci in Milan and by CIDIM (Italian National Music Committee). The Jury might select another score for a “Special Mention” in addition to the three finalist compositions.