Press-release Days of Kazinik 2024

The 14th international competition for young instrumentalists and vocalists “Rising Stars” is picking up pace in Latvia

The organizers of the competition - the Latvian production company "International Talent Center" and the world-famous musicologist, teacher, musician, educator Mikhail Kazinik (Sweden) - are accepting applications for participation in the international music competition "Rising Stars 2024".

Applications are accepted on the official website of the competition ict-stars.eu in the “Competitions” section until February 28. Soloists, as well as musical groups vying for victory in the “Classical Music” and “Academic Vocal” categories, are invited to participate in the competition. Laureates and participants of previous years' competitions can also submit applications. The first round of the competition takes place online. Auditions for the second round of the competition will take place on March 1 and 2 at the Reformed Church (Mārstału 10, Rīga).

The jury of the Rising Stars 2024 competition included eminent musicians and teachers from all over the world: Dr. art., professor of music history and ethnomusicologist at the Latvian Academy of Music Boris Avramets (Latvia); world famous opera singer, bass Mikhail Svetlov (USA); winner of the Grand Prix “Rising Stars 2009” and many international awards, violinist Dainis Medyanik (Latvia/Germany); prima of the Latvian National Opera, soprano Yulia Vasilyeva (Latvia); soloist of the Latvian National Opera, tenor Artem Safronov; concert musician, cellist Ivar Besprozvanov (Latvia); mezzo-soprano, winner of international prestigious vocal competitions Lisa Rakolta (USA), Pianist Vyacheslav Zubkov (Israel), chairman of the jury - world-famous musicologist, teacher, musician, educator, maestro Mikhail Kazinik (Sweden).

Laureates of the “Rising Stars” competition will have the opportunity to apply for scholarships and cash grants from the VIVAT FUTURE charitable foundation, individual master classes with famous artists and a performance at a Gala concert with members of the competition jury, and among the winners, applicants will be selected to participate in the World Championship of Performing Arts, which is held annually in Los Angeles (Worldstars Olympiad www.wcopa.com). Thus, previous winners of gold medals and Grand Champion titles of this prestigious competition were in 2018 - the Latvian trio of instrumentalists “The Greenberg Brothers”, in 2019 - guitarist Peteris Paclitsans, in 2020 - violinist Ankit Tripathi, in 2022 - the ensemble of the Liepaja Music School Amber Srings, and in 2023 the blind girl Martha Cornelius became the winner of gold medals and Champion in her age category. Everyone took part in the Championship with the direct assistance of the production company “International Talent Center”. Also, the finalists of the young talent competition receive an invitation to participate in musical events organized by the “International Talent Center” and Mikhail Kazinik’s events outside Latvia - the Mikhail Kazinik Academy.

The competition is traditionally held as part of the “Mikhail Kazinik Days”, which has become a bright and significant event in the cultural life of Latvia.

In the program of events:

On March 1, the Jurmala Music School (Strēlnieku prospekts 30, Jūrmala) will host a lecture-concert by Mikhail Kazinik “The Secret Signs of Music”, with the participation of the virtuoso violinist, former winner of the “Rising Stars” competition Dainis Medyanik, as well as pupils and students of music schools Riga and Jurmala, winners of international competitions.

On March 2, the concert “This great miracle is the human voice. From bass to soprano” will take place in the Church of St. Paul (Deglava 1, Rīga). Famous artists will perform before the audience: Mikhail Svetlov (bass), Artem Safronov (tenor), Lisa Rakolta (mezzo-soprano), Yulia Vasilyeva (soprano). The surprise of the evening will be Kazinik's student, the Swede Åke Lindgren, who began studying vocals at the age of 70 and now, at 91, will demonstrate to us the great power of music.

On March 3, the Great Guild (Amatu 6, Rīga) will host the gala concert of the “Rising Stars” competition - the most significant and grandiose event with the participation of the best winners and jury members. The host of the evening is maestro Mikhail Kazinik.

On March 4, the final events of the project will be held - master classes and a round table with the participation of jury members of the Rising Stars 2024 competition and specialists in the field of education.

Additional information and more details about the conditions of participation on ict-stars.eu and on phone +371 28 491 488.

Organizer of the competition: International Talent Center.

For up-to-date information, follow the official project pages on the social network Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/KazinikvRige
https://www.facebook.com/TalantuCentrs