Germany strengthens its presence in the annals of the International Orchestra Conducting Competition of the University of Almería. In its sixth edition, the contest has crowned Benjamin Huth, who emerged victorious among a high caliber of participants. The final round, featuring four conductors, took place on this Día de la Hispanidad at the Auditorio Municipal Maestro Padilla.
The competition was so close that, for the first time, the second prize was awarded ex aequo to Spain's Nuria Parra and American Juan Flórez. The latter also received the Orchestra's Prize. Liu Jen-jen from Taiwan, although not among the main awardees, garnered recognition from the audience, jury, and musicians.
Vice-rector María del Mar Ruiz highlighted the excellent atmosphere of camaraderie among the eight semifinalists, emphasizing the competition's growing international prestige and that reaching the live phase is an achievement in itself. She noted that the event's quality is intended for both the university community and the citizens of Almería.
Benjamin Huth dedicated his award to the University of Almería, the audience of Almería, and the musicians of the UAL Orchestra. He expressed his satisfaction with the experience, which allowed him to exchange ideas and grow artistically, and praised the organization and the supportive atmosphere of the competition.
The winner, Benjamin Huth, received 4,000 euros and an invitation as a guest conductor with the Metropolitan Orchestra of the City of Bari, in Italy. The shared second prizes for Nuria Parra and Juan Flórez include 1,500 euros and an invitation to the Kalisz Philharmonic Orchestra in Poland. Juan Flórez was also chosen by the University of Almería Orchestra to receive a trophy.
The final concert was divided into two parts. In the first, dedicated to opera, Liu Jen-jen conducted a piece by Donizetti, Juan Flórez one by Mozart, Benjamin Huth one by Massenet, and Nuria Parra one by Puccini. In the second part, the four conductors performed movements from Dvořák's Symphony No. 8.
Since its call for entries in April, the competition has attracted around eighty applications from thirty countries. Benjamin Huth thus becomes the third German conductor to win this event, which has seen winners from Venezuela, Italy, and the USA in previous editions.
