Gala di Premiazione con Artisti Internazionali

The International Clarinet Competition "Saverio Mercadante" reaches its 21st edition this year. More than a hundred entries have been received from all over the world: Finland, Great Britain, France, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Georgia, Russia, USA, Brazil, Colombia, Hong Kong, China, Korea, Taiwan, and Japan.

As usual, the international jury will consist of internationally renowned clarinetists, including **Eddy Vanoosthuyse (Belgium)**, an international soloist, professor of clarinet at the University College Ghent/KASK and Royal Conservatory in Belgium and the Academy for the Arts in Tilburg, Netherlands, **Roman Widaszek (Poland)**, international soloist, professor of clarinet at the Music Academy in Katowice, Poland, **Jeremy Reynolds (USA)**, professor of clarinet and chamber music at the Lamont School of Music and chair of the Wind Department, **Luís Gomes (Portugal)**, international soloist, professor of clarinet, bass clarinet, and chamber music at the National Conservatory and University of Évora (Portugal), and **Antonio Tinelli (Italy)**, international soloist, professor of clarinet at the "Niccolò Piccinni" Conservatory of Music in Bari and artistic director of the competition.

This 21st edition has a very rich prize pool, which, besides cash prizes, also offers professional musical instruments and accessories thanks to the support of leading companies in the sector, such as Buffet-Crampon from Paris (France), Gleichweit Gmbh from Vienna (Austria), D'Addario Woodwinds from Los Angeles (USA), and Paulus & Schuler from Bomheim (Germany), as well as international publishing houses like G. Henle Verlag from Munich (Germany). A significant novelty awaits the winners of the Senior Soloist category (up to 35 years): on Monday, October 20 at 8:00 PM, they will have the opportunity to perform in concert on the prestigious stage of the Kursaal Santalucia Theater in Bari. On this occasion, the first prize winner will perform the third movement of W.A. Mozart's Concerto KV622 as a soloist with the AYSO Orchestra, conducted by Teresa Satalino.

Candidates in the three categories, YOUNG (up to 15 years), JUNIOR (up to 20 years), and SENIOR (up to 35 years), will undertake the live rounds of the competition from October 16 to 19, 2025, at the Conference Room of the Hotel Punto Verde in Noci. All trials, held throughout the day, are open to the public, and the official pianist will be Yulia Moseychuk (Russia/Italy). The competition's schedule includes the selections for the JUNIOR and YOUNG categories on the first day, with the winners being announced subsequently. A video pre-selection has already been conducted for the SENIOR category, and out of over 70 candidates, only 28 have been selected for the second round to be held on October 17 and 18. On the afternoon of October 18, the names of the 6 finalist candidates who will face the final round on Sunday morning, October 19, starting at 9:00 AM, will be announced. The winners will be determined following this round.

On **October 19 at 8:00 PM in the Conference Room of the Hotel Punto Verde in Noci**, the **Gala Awards Ceremony** will be held in the presence of the public, institutional authorities, the press, and the international jury, during which the winners of the three categories will be presented.

The event is organized by the Musico Cultural Association Aulos of Noci in collaboration with the Municipality of Noci and is funded by the **Regional Council of Puglia**, and has also received the **Patronage of the President of the Regional Council of Puglia**, granted with act no. 1125 of 10/10/2025. The event is supported by local companies and organizations, including Assinotar-UnipolSai of Fabrizio Notarnicola, La Perla travels of Noci, Palladium of Turi, Otrè Wellness Club, VignaFlora, and Mauro Morelli services for wind instruments. News about the international event can be followed on the Facebook and Instagram social media pages dedicated to the competition.
Web: mercadantecompetition.com