Summer 2007 report on YIP
Since the last edition of the IAMA newsletter our Young International Performers programme has seen the presentation of the 2007 Outstanding Young Artist Award at the MIDEM Classique Awards in Cannes, and three young artist showcases by members of the programme at the 2007 IAMA Conference. The YIP programme represents a unique platform from which young artists of exceptional quality are brought to the attention of international artist managers, promoters and other music professionals.
MIDEM 2007
On January 23rd soprano Elizabeth Watts of Young Concert Artist Trust was announced as the winner of the third edition of the Outstanding Young Artist Award presented by the MIDEM/IAMA Partnership. Her refined performance at the award ceremony delighted the audience, and was received with rapturous applause. This year has been extremely successful so far for Elizabeth, who has been offered a series of engagements and international press features as part of her MIDEM/IAMA award. Since the beginning of this year she has been signed for general management by Thomas Hull of Ingpen & Williams, shortlisted for an award in the Young Artists category of the Royal Philharmonic Society Music awards and has been selected to represent England in the Cardiff Singer of the World. We wish her every success in Cardiff, and in her future career.
IAMA CONFERENCE 2007
The London conference in April this year provided the setting for three showcases. Despite the very challenging acoustic offered by the Dorchester Library at the Royal College of Physicians all three showcases proved very popular with delegates, with all the artists rising admirably to the occasion. We were delighted to welcome for the first time one of the most recent members of the Young International Performers programme: Fondation Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud, who presented the First Prize winner of their most recent piano competition, Siheng Song. Baritone Johannes Weisser was presented by Rikskonsertene/INTRO Classical, and Young Concert Artist Trust presented “O Duo”, the percussion duo formed by Oliver Cox and Owen Gunnell. Audience reaction to all three showcases was excellent, and representatives of the artists have reported many interesting projects in the pipeline as a result of the showcases.
FUTURE EVENTS
Midem Classique Awards: Nominations are noe invited for the 2008 Outstanding Young Artist Award. Closing date: Thursday 13 September 2007
IAMA Conference 2008: There will be showcase opportunities at the 2008 conference (17 – 19 April) in Berlin
If you would like to know more about the YIP programme, or are a not-for-profit member of IAMA and would like to nominate one of your artists for any of the coming events, please contact the IAMA office (info@iamaworld.com) +44 20 7379 7336