About This Festival
Welcome to Verona
Perform before an international panel of esteemed judges at Verona’s historic Teatro Filarmonico in this friendly choral competition. Receive valuable feedback from the jury and compete for a cash prize and trophies. At the International Verona Choral Competition, everyone returns home a winner with new choral friends from around the world! In addition to the adjudication, individual concerts and Friendship Concerts with Italian hosts round out this exciting performance opportunity.
Each day of the festival is filled with music and sightseeing. See Juliet’s House in Verona, believed to be the inspiration for the famous balcony scene in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Spend a day in Venice discovering sites such as St. Mark’s Basilica, the Rialto Bridge and gondolas along the Canal Grande.
Join us for this incredible choral opportunity! Ready to get started? Contact us today!
Performance Venues
TEATRO FILARMONICO
Located in the heart of Verona, choirs perform adjudicated concerts at the Teatro Filarmonico for a renowned panel of international judges, concert goers and other participating choirs.
Staging: The stage of the Teatro Filarmonico will have 2 risers in addition to the main stage floor. Choirs enter the stage from the back and exit stage right.
Instruments: A grand piano will be available for your accompanist to play. A music stand is available for the choir director. The choir will be introduced by a representative from the City of Verona. Additional announcements may be made by the choir; however, any time used to make an announcement will reduce the time available to sing. Due to time constraints, additional instrumentation is generally not possible, as there will not be any opportunity to set up or perform a sound check. Please discuss any additional instrument needs with us early on in the registration process.
Repertoire: Each choir chooses its own repertoire for this concert from the four categories offered. The program length is 15 minutes maximum including any time you need to set up on the stage. *Changes to repertoire may be made after the initial submission.
The Performance Experience
Day 1: FLY TO ITALY
Your International Verona Choral Competition experience starts with an overnight flight from North America to Italy.
Day 2: WELCOME TO ITALY | OPENING CELEBRATION
Upon arrival in Italy, your Music Contact International tour manager will greet your choir at the airport. Together, travel by private motorcoach to your hotel near the shores of Lake Garda, one of Italy’s largest and most scenic lakes framed by high alpine peaks.
After a welcome dinner of fresh Italian cuisine, attend the Opening Celebration of the International Verona Choral Competition with a warm welcome and choral entertainment by your hosts, Associazione Gruppi Corali Verona.
Day 3: VERONA COMPETITION & FRIENDSHIP CONCERTS
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel dining room, followed by festival activities in the stunning city of Verona. Accompany your local guide to the Roman Arena and Juliet’s courtyard, where the famous scene from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet played out in 1302. Stroll through piazzas lined with 14th-century buildings and visit the open-air market displaying fresh produce and crafts.
Over the course of the day, choirs compete for trophies and prize money before a distinguished, international jury in the Teatro Filarmonico in Verona. Choirs from many countries participate in the competition and ensembles are invited to attend each other's presentations.
Tonight, wonderful musical memories are made at friendship concerts. These unique musical exchanges are hosted by Italian choirs throughout the region to enhance bonds and camaraderie among singers. Spend a splendid evening singing for each other and a local audience before sharing drinks and snacks with new friends in Italy!
Day 4: FULL DAY EXCURSION TO VENICE
Spend a fabulous day in Venice, one of the most beautiful cities in the world! Venice is made up of 118 islands, over 450 bridges, and more than 180 canals. A guide will show you the highlights including gorgeous Basilica San Marco, the Rialto Bridge, and the Canal Grande dotted with gondolas.
Then, enjoy time for independent exploration of Venice Island, shopping for handblown glass, leather, and souvenirs, or treat yourself to a delicious meal, and perhaps a gondola ride!
Day 5: CLOSING CEREMONY, GRAND PROCESSION & GROUP SING
Musical festivities continue this morning at the Festival Closing Ceremony when all participating choirs are officially recognized, awards are distributed, and ensembles who place Gold are invited to sing on stage!
A reception with food and beverages follows, before the Grand Procession with cheering, flag-waving, and singing in the streets. The festival culminates in the Roman Arena where choirs join voices for a memorable Group Sing!
Day 6: FLY HOME OR EXTEND YOUR STAY
Ask us about additional days of touring in Italy, and when it’s time to go, we’ll send you off with memories to last a lifetime!