"G. Zinetti" International Chamber Music Competition was founded in 1996 on the initiative of the Town Council of Sanguinetto (Verona, Italy) and the town's Centre for Musical Education in association with the Province of Verona and with the support of Best Foods Inc. and Morelato Mobili Company. It is intended to pay homage to the memory of the illustrious composer and conductor born in this town, Gaetano Zinetti, whose life bridged the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The main purpose of the initiative has been from the outset that of offering a career platform to the best young concert artists, an opportunity to be recognised in the difficult world of concert performances. The prize is offered in the context of a general appraisal of the historical and artistic heritage of Sanguinetto, its main feature being that of the location at its centre of the majestic Scaligero Castle, where the local theatre is situated.
A reward for excellence.
Starting from the 2002 edition the main intention of the competition, that of providing an opportunity to young performers, has been considerably strengthened with an increase in value of the prizes to Euro 10,000 for the 1st place, Euro 4,000 for the 2nd and Euro 2,000 for the 3rd.
An innovation - tied to the results of a "G. Zinetti" Competition research according to which the principal reason that urges young musicians to participate in competitions is constituted by the concerts opportunities offered - is that Prizes make up a scholarship which constitutes a fee for the realization of concerts (a 10 concerts tournée for the winning ensemble; 4 concerts are offered to the 2nd classified group and 2 concerts to the 3rd; travelling and lodgings expenses will be refunded).
Another important innovation has been the setting up of a Recording Award which offers the opportunity, to an ensemble chosen from amongst those who have distinguished themselves the most, to record a compact disk that will be part of the Rivoalto Recording Company catalogue and will be distributed and presented to the music press. This initiative will be of particular interest to young people with talent who have not yet had the opportunity to make a recording and can obtain, by so doing, an invaluable tool for the promotion of their career, the quality of which is guaranteed by a specific selection. It is in this respect that the recording will distinguish itself from others produced according to indifferent criteria purely for reasons of self promotion.
A further opportunity is provided by the “Masi Foundation” Special Award for Venetian Culture which offers a scholarship for concerts and a recording contract.
The competition.
Candidature for the competition is open to chamber music groups both from Italy and from other countries, ranging from duos to sextets with or without piano (excluding groups including voice or made up of two pianos). The contestants must be born after March 31, 1969.
The competition will be divided into three performance tests: the first one consists of a preliminary audition made by way of the evaluation of a cassette tape performance to be sent together with the application form. The aims are those of keeping low the participation costs sustained by candidates and guaranteeing the high level of the competition. This test will be followed by two public auditions (semi-final and final) in front of the Jury. The contestants must present a repertoire of their choice, lasting approximately 30 minutes, including at least two compositions (or movements from compositions) of a style and from periods that present a contrast.
As for the “Masi Foundation” Special Award for Venetian Culture, no age or participation limit is to be applied: entry to the Prize is open to chamber music groups ranging from duo to chamber orchestra with or without soloist or conductor; candidates just have to play compositions of Venetian authors.
Zinettiadi.
An innovation of the 1999 edition - very successful and so presented again - was an initiative, called "Zinettiadi" Soirées, which has been set up for a better involvement of the local community. They are private or public performances for small audiences held in the days of the Competition. The purposes of Soirées are: to provide ensembles with an opportunity to perform their repertoire prior to their test in the competition; to present chamber music in an intimate setting; to increase local awareness of chamber music; to increase local support for the International Competition. These Soirées will help the project to carry out its role of chamber music promotion at a local level.
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