Montreal International Musical Competition announces City of Montreal First Prize

This is the year of the voice for the Montreal International Musical Competition (MIMC), which alternates with piano and violin. The competition takes place from May 25 to June 5. From the 123 applications received, the preliminary jury selected 24 contestants from nine countries to compete in Montreal for over $80,000 in prizes and paid employment with orchestras. Executive Director Christiane Leblanc noted; “Since André Bourbeau and Joseph Rouleau started the competition as an offshoot of Jeunesses Musicales du Canada, more than 400 young musicians have competed in Montreal, and our competition has become a world-class event.” The Montreal competition is the only North American classical musical competition that is held on an annual basis, giving opportunity to young musicians.

Montreal International Music Competition

Co-Founders Joseph Rouleau and
Andre Bourbeau with Mayor Denis Coderre (centre) announce the Ville de Montreal First Prize.

Mayor Denis Coderre was present to announce that the Prix de Montréal $30,000 First Prize would be sponsored by the City of Montreal for the next three years. “I’m especially proud that Montreal is home for this event that bears witness to the city’s cultural vitality and international profile.” Canimex is the sponsor for the second prize of $15,000 this year, and Cogeco is sponsoring the $10,000 third prize. Clarence and Arija Stiver are offering a $5,000 Lied and Art Song Prize, and Tourisme Montreal will award a $2,500 prize for the Best Semi-Final Recital.

The quarter finals on May 25, 26 and 27, followed by the semi-finals on May 30 and 31 will take place with piano accompaniment at Bourgie Hall. The finals on June 2 and 3 will be at Maison Symphonique at Place des Arts, with the Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal, with the finalists being led by Maestro Johannes Debus, the Musical Director for The Canadian Opera Company. During our conversation, Johannes stated; “What a great privilege it is for the candidates to perform with a high-calibre orchestra like the OSM. We’re going to take a tour through 400 years of great music! The scope of the work that the candidates are to perform is extensive, and I’m looking forward to working with each of the finalists to help them do their best performances for the judges.”

In keeping with the theme of “Voice” and the in recognition of the 50^th Anniversary of the release of The Sound of Music, there will be a free sing-a-long on Sunday afternoon, May 24^th at 2pm in Bourgie Hall. Bob Bachelor, Musical Director of The Lyric Singers will be leading the sing-along, and he tells me that members of Lyric Singers will be in the audience to encourage everyone.

Tickets for the quarter and semi-finals at Bourgie Hall are available at The Bourgie Hall Box Office: www.mbam.qc.ca or 514-285-2000, option 2. Tickets for the final round and winner’s concert are available at the Place des Arts Box Office: www.placedesarts.com or 514-842-2112. The competition has an informative and user-friendly web site: www.concoursmontreal.ca