Following a four-day competition held in Queenstown, located in New Zealand's South Island, the semi-finalists for the 2023 Michael Hill International Violin Competition, which is backed by the Hill Family Foundation for Arts and Music, have been announced.
The six semi-finalists for this year were chosen from a pool of 16 quarterfinalists and over 160 participants from around the globe. The names of the semi-finalists are as follows:
These semi-finalists will now travel to Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau, located in the North Island of New Zealand, to participate in the semi-final rounds at the Town Hall on Wednesday, June 7, and Thursday, June 8. Each of the six candidates will perform one of four selected Mozart Quintets alongside collaborative artists, namely violinist Amalia Hall, violists Gillian Ansell and Robert Ashworth, and cellist Ashley Brown. Following this stage, three competitors will be chosen to advance to the Grand Final on Saturday, June 10. During the Grand Final, the selected contestants will showcase their talent by performing a significant violin concerto with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, under the baton of Andrew Litton.
The winner of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition will receive NZ$40,000 (£19,500) in prize money, a recording contract with the Atoll label, and the opportunity for a multi-centre Winner's Tour in collaboration with Chamber Music New Zealand. Additionally, there is a special prize available, consisting of a three-year loan of a fine violin from Rare Violins of New York.
The judging panel for the 2023 competition comprises past winners of the competition, including Bella Hristova, Ning Feng (winner in 2005), and Natalia Lomeiko (winner in 2003), as well as renowned violinists Wilma Smith, James Ehnes, Anthony Marwood, and pianist Piers Lane.
Over the years, the 'Michael Hill' competition has served as a platform for many successful contemporary soloists, teachers, concertmasters, and ensemble players, such as Joseph Lin, Josef Spaček, Nikki and Timothy Chooi, Ning Feng, Sergey Malov, Ray Chen, and the 2019 winner Anna Im. The event is made possible through the generosity of the Hill Family Foundation for Arts and Music, along with major sponsors including Craigs Investment Partners, Michael Hill International, Chiron Group, and Nockies Pallette Wines.
