Back

16-year old Mariam Abouzahra wins First Prize in Vercelli

Competitions

The 2024 Edition of the Giovanni Battista Viotti International Competition presents its winners

Rotating between the disciplines opera singing, piano and violin, the 76th edition of the Giovanni Battista Viotti International Competition in Vercelli was held in violin for the first time in 36 years. It ended with a sensation, as 16 year old Mariam Abouzahra won First Prize following an outstanding performance of the Brahms Violin Concerto.

The final round consisted of three violinists: Lorenz Karls (Vienna, 23), Hyun Seo Kim (Seoul, 14) and Mariam Abouzahra (Vienna, 16). They were selected from the initial number of 19 participants, and each performed a violin concerto with the Milan Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Francesco Ommassini.

Mariam Abouzahra, 1st prize winner ©️ Leonardo D'Amico

Abouzahra is the youngest first prize winner in the history of the Viotti Competition, along with Domenico Nordio, who won in 1987. She is currently studying at the University of Music in Vienna with Dora Schwarzberg. As a soloist, Abouzahra has appeared with the Liszt Chamber Orchestra, Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, Concerto Budapest, Philharmonie Baden-Baden and among others. She was invited to the 2024 Verbier Festival as junior soloist.

Hyun Seo Kim, 2nd prize winner ©️ Leonardo D'Amico

Lorenz Karls, 3rd prize winner ©️ Leonardo D'Amico

Prizes:
1st prize: Mariam Abouzahra (16), Vienna
2nd prize: Hyun Seo Kim (14), Seoul
3rd prize: Lorenz Karls (23), Vienna

Jury:
Pavel Berman, Pietro Borgonovo, Roberto Cani, Michael Guttman, Silvia Marcovici, Gabriele Pieranunzi, Bogdan Zvoristeanu

Artists:
Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano, Francesco Ommassini (Conductor)

 

©️ WFIMC / FR 2024