THE PREMIO PAGANINI FLIES TO LONDON FOR SIMON ZHU’S CONCERT, PLAYING PAGANINI’S “CANNONE” WITH THE LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONDUCTED BY MAESTRO PAPPANO

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the “Premio Paganini”, whose first edition was held in Genoa in 1954, on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, Simon Zhu, winner of the last edition, will perform a special concert alongside the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), conducted by Sir Anthony Pappano.

It will be a memorable evening at the prestigious Guildhall, as Simon Zhu will play the famous “Cannone”, the violin made by Cremonese luthier Giuseppe Guarneri, known as “del Gesù”, in 1743 and once owned by Niccolò Paganini. The instrument returns to London for the second time in nearly twenty years, following recent diagnostic tests promoted by the President of the Prize, Giovanni Panebianco, and carried out at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble, which confirmed its excellent condition.

As a tribute to the city of Genoa, the musicians of the LSO will exceptionally wear jeans, the iconic fabric invented in the 16th century, called Blue de Genes for its distinctive color, renowned worldwide.

This extraordinary meeting between the London Symphony Orchestra and the Paganini Prize is the culmination of the initiatives launched as part of the activities in November last year when Genoa was a guest at the parade held during the investiture ceremony of the Lord Mayor of the City, Michael Mainelli. Among these was the applauded performance at the Italian Embassy by violinist Hawijch Elders, fourth place finalist in the 2023 Paganini Competition.

Following events at the Louvre in Paris and the Prado in Madrid, the London event further confirms the significance of the “Paganini” Prize’s international relaunch and the exceptional efforts being made to promote musical culture, the art of the violin, young talents, and the image of Genoa worldwide.

The Musical Program
Gioacchino Rossini, The Barber of Seville - Overture
Niccolò Paganini, First Movement from Violin Concerto No. 1
Giacomo Puccini, Crisantemi for String Orchestra
Gioacchino Rossini, Movements from La Boutique Fantasque, arranged by Ottorino Respighi

The Honorary Committee
The Mayor of Genoa
Michael Mainelli, Lord Mayor of the City of London
Inigo Lambertini, Italian Ambassador to the United Kingdom
Giovanni Panebianco, President of the Paganini Prize
Antonio Pappano, Chief Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra
Kathryn Mc Dowell, Managing Director of the London Symphony Orchestra

At the end of the concert at Guildhall, the title of “Paganini Ambassador” will be awarded, with the participation of Prince Amyn Aga Khan, to Sir Antonio Pappano, a world-renowned musical excellence. This will be followed by the LSO’s Gala Dinner in support of the Educational Program for musicians from around the world.

 

The Event at the Italian Embassy

On Monday, October 14, 2024, the eve of the concert, a high-profile institutional event will be held at the Italian Embassy, during which President Panebianco and Artistic Director Nicola Bruzzo will present the competition notice and the International Jury for the 58th edition of the Prize. The event, attended by Maestro Uto Ughi, President of the Jury, will be opened by greetings from H.E. the Italian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Inigo Lambertini.

On this occasion, in addition to presenting the official video of the upcoming Competition, the ceremony for the conferral of the title of “Paganini Ambassador” will take place, with honors bestowed upon Amb. Lambertini, along with Irene Cervellera, Melania Rizzoli, and Federica Tittarelli.

The 58th International Violin Competition “Premio Paganini”

From October 14, 2024, until February 11, 2025, violinists from all over the world, aged 15 to 30, will be able to register for the 58th edition of the Competition, which has already received the patronage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. As always, the heart of the competition will be the Teatro Carlo Felice with its extraordinary orchestra.

The final stages will take place in Genoa from October 14 to 26, 2025. The notice includes a preselection phase between April and May 2025, during which candidates will be heard live at Italian Cultural Institutes in New York, Seoul, and Berlin, as well as in Guangzhou and finally in Genoa, at the Conservatory’s headquarters. Only 24 violinists will be admitted to the final stages starting on October 14, 2025.

The next Competition will dedicate more space to chamber music, which will test the candidates’ reciprocal listening skills, as well as trials where young violinists will be required to demonstrate musical and communicative aspects often overlooked in competitions of this caliber. Further novelties concern special prizes: in addition to the usual ones and the provision of engagements at some of the most prestigious national and international musical institutions, for the first time the winner of the Competition will be offered a recording contract with a major international record label.

The 58th edition will have a distinguished jury, chaired by Maestro Uto Ughi (Italy). Other jurors, chosen on the proposal of Director Bruzzo, include: Ana Chumachenco (Arg./Germ.), Pavel Berman (Italy), Pamela Frank (USA), Mihaela Martin (Romania), Enzo Restagno (Italy), and Sayaka Shoji (Japan). With the changes made to the Regulations last May, two additional members may later be called to join the Jury for the final round.
 

Mayor of Genoa: “The Premio Paganini concert in London, with the presence of the famous Cannone, is tangible proof of the success of the new course undertaken just over two years ago. The results are visible to all, and we can be proud of them. After the events at the Louvre and the Prado, as well as the one in New York with the Teatro Carlo Felice, the concert at Guildhall represents another significant chapter in the Prize’s relaunch. I am grateful to the LSO and Maestro Pappano for the tribute, dressing in jeans, to Genoa, to Ambassador Inigo Lambertini, and of course to Lord Mayor Michael Mainelli for their continued enthusiasm and collaboration.”

Inigo Lambertini, Italian Ambassador to the United Kingdom: “As a music lover, it is a great honor for me to receive the title of “Ambassador of the Premio Paganini”. I am particularly pleased to welcome President Panebianco and Simon Zhu, winner of the 2023 Premio Paganini, to London, where he will perform with the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Antonio Pappano, in an event of extraordinary importance in the context of friendship and cooperation between our two countries. I take this opportunity to congratulate the major initiatives promoted by the Paganini Prize on an international level, which not only enhance the Italian musical tradition but also strengthen the image of Genoa and Italy in Europe and around the world.”

Giovanni Panebianco, President of the Premio Paganini: “The Guildhall is a truly prestigious setting to celebrate Paganini, our Competition, and Genoa. We are proud of the special collaboration with the LSO, one of the most important orchestras in the world, and I would like to sincerely thank Managing Director Kathryn Mc Dowell with whom we have worked very fruitfully. Simon Zhu’s performance with the Cannone makes the concert truly extraordinary. This has been made possible by the virtuous interaction between the Italian Embassy in London, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented by the Director-General for Public and Cultural Diplomacy, Amb. Alessandro de Pedys, the Ministry of Culture, and the Superintendency of Genoa, directed by architect Cristina Bartolini. Special thanks to Maestro Nicola Bruzzo, Dr. Gloria Piaggio, Dr. Raffaella Besta, the Prize staff, and the Conservator Luthiers. A special thanks to Princess Martine Orsini, who, together with Lady Aliai Forte, chairs the Gala Committee for the event. A warm welcome to the new Paganini Ambassadors: Anthony Pappano, Inigo Lambertini, Irene Cervellera, Melania Rizzoli, and Federica Tittarelli, who enrich a prestigious roster we are proud of.”

Maestro Uto Ughi: “We are very happy to have formed an international jury composed of such serious and competent professionals. I am delighted to chair it, and I am confident we will work well together. The new competition notice introduces important novelties, and I invite all violinists from around the world to participate in this extraordinary competition, a landmark in the history of the violin and a fundamental stepping stone for those aspiring to a prominent career.”

Nicola Bruzzo, Artistic Director: “It is a memorable occasion, and the entirely Italian musical program evokes the mastery, lyricism, and virtuosity of great composers from the past, with Paganini standing above all. The presence of the legendary Cannone and the conducting of Maestro Pappano enrich this unique moment, with Simon Zhu as featured soloist. Thanks to the collaboration with the Italian Embassy and the LSO, we are pleased to strengthen ties with the British audience and an international audience. Launching the announcement of the next competition from London – a city that has always been a symbol of artistic excellence – further confirms the international dimension of the prize.