An international competition of young conductors - Applications from all over the world

As many as 180 candidates from all over the world, including 30 women, have applied for a place in the Lovro von Matačić International Competition of Young Conductors, which will take place in Zagreb between October 5th and 11th.

Between October 5^th and 11^th, Zagreb will host the 6^th Lovro von Matačić International Competition of Young Conductors, for which more than 180 applications were received from all over the world. The competition, organized in memory of the greatest and globally renowned Croatian conductor – Lovro von Matačić, takes place every four years, and it is quite justly called the conductors’ Olympic Games.

The international competition of young conductors is organized by the Lovro and Lilly Matačić Fund in partnership with the Zagreb Concert Management, the Zagreb Philharmonic and the Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall. The fund was established in 1987 with money allocated to help particularly talented young conductors enhance their skill, as per the wishes of maestro Matačić himself.

An international panel of judges reviewed the applicants’ audio and visual recordings and shortlisted 16 candidates who will go on to compete in the second round for a place in the final and, ultimately, generous monetary prizes. The competition is open to visitors; anyone can come to the Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall and attend the performances of the hopeful candidates, one of whom will be named the best young conductor under the age of 35.

Interestingly, among the 180 applicants for this renowned international contest, there were around 30 female candidates.