BACKClassical Music – News Round-Up
Estonian cellist Marcel Johannes Kits wins George Enescu International Cello Competition
The Estonian cellist Marcel Johannes Kits has won first prize in the cello category of the George Enescu International Competition after a final in which he performed Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No 1 in E flat major in front of a jury including David Geringas and Raphael Wallfisch.
The 23-year-old cellist, who is studying at the Berlin University of the Arts with Prof. Jens Peter Maintz, will receive €15,000, along with the chance to perform at the Enescu Festival.
The second prize went to Yibai Chen (China) and the third prize went to Stanislas Kim (France), who will receive €10,000, and €5,000 respectively.
Held biennially in Bucharest, Romania, the George Enescu International Competition focuses on four disciplines: violin, cello, piano and composition.
The violin competition failed to award first place prize to any competitors.
Vikram Sedona (Italy, 18 years old) won second place and third place was occupied by Giuseppe Gibboni (Italy, 17 years old).
The third finalist, Ukrainian Orest Smovzh (27 years old) received a special award consisting of a series of Masterclasses offered by Silvia Marcovici and Mihaela Martin.
Oper Halle: Ariane Matiakh wird Generalmusikdirektorin
Die französische Dirigentin Ariane Matiakh wird neue Generalmusikdirektorin der Staatskapelle und der Oper Halle. Die 38-Jährige trete zur Spielzeit 2019/20 an, teilte die Theater, Oper und Orchester GmbH am Montag mit. Matiakh übernimmt die Nachfolge von Josep Caballé Domenech, dessen Vertrag in diesem Sommer nach fünf Jahren nicht verlängert wurde.
Matiakh studierte in Wien bei Leopold Hager, besuchte Meisterklassen mit Seiji Ozawa und erhielt künstlerische Impulse von Nikolaus Harnoncourt und Adam Fischer. Von 2005 bis 2009 war sie erste Assistentin an der Opéra und dem Orchestre National de Montpellier.
French conductor Ariane Matiakh is the new music director of the Staatskapelle and the Oper Halle. Her contract will begin from the 2019/20 season, announced the managing director of the Bühnen Halle on Monday. Matiakh succeeds Josep Caballé Domenech, whose contract was not renewed after five years.