Competition finals

ALTAMURA/CARUSO INTERNATIONAL VOICE COMPETITION, MARKS ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY ALONG WITH FESTIVITIES OF THE GIUSEPPE VERDI BICENTENNIAL

The bi-annual Altamura / Caruso International Voice Competition sponsored by Inter-Cities Performing arts Inc., has concluded yesterday its XIII Edition which was dedicated to Giuseppe Verdi and took place at the Christ and St. Steven’s Church in Manhattan. Preceding the competition there was a parade which started on Verdi Square on 72nd Street, and was led on its way by three trumpeters and a drum, gathering hundreds of Verdi lovers.
An illustrious jury was comprised of Anton Coppola, Roger Malouf, Maria Knapik, Camille Coppola, Francesco Casanova, Krzysztof Biernacki, Lewis Ehlers, and Carmela Altamura who also served as founder and president of the jury. In the presence of the keen-eared and enthusiastic audience, the winners selected from among the fourteen finalists from all over the world, the third prize, offered by the Columbian Foundation, was awarded to Korean Bass Kwang Kyung Lee; the second prize offered by the founders of the competition, Leonard and Carmela Altamura, was awarded to tenor Ben Bliss; finally the first prize, sponsored by the Agnes Varis Foundation, was awarded to dramatic soprano Alexandra Lo Bianco.

The overall level was exceptionally high and graced the 25 year anniversary of the Altamura Caruso International Voice Competition. “It can safely be said that all of the participants were winners who surely will make their mark in the opera world” , said Carmela Altamura.

More information can be found on www.altocanto.org or by calling 201-863-8724.