by Nina Vaclavikova
Interview: Katarina Moltedo, Head of Relations at the Ars Nova Music Academy; Serena Tonel, deputy mayor of Trieste
The city of Trieste announced the 20th edition of the Ars Nova International Music Competition – Paolo Spincich Prize, to be held from November 15 to December 8, 2025. The event, organized by the Ars Nova Academy, celebrates two decades of promoting young musical talent and fostering European cultural exchange.
Founded in 1988, the Ars Nova Academy has long served as a hub for music education and performance in Trieste, offering concerts, conferences, and events aimed at nurturing young musicians.
At a press conference held at Trieste’s City Hall, Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Productive Activities Serena Tonel introduced the milestone edition alongside Matteo Fanni Canelles, director of the Ars Nova Academy Orchestra. Tonel, speaking on behalf of Councillor for Tourism and Culture Giorgio Rossi and City Council President Francesco Di Paola Panteca, emphasized the city’s pride in hosting the competition.
“This is not only a moment of celebration,” Tonel said, “but also an opportunity to reaffirm the association’s mission—to discover, support, and showcase young talent on an international stage. Once again, Trieste demonstrates its role as a center of cultural and musical excellence.”
Tonel also highlighted the city’s partnership with Ars Nova, noting that Trieste has provided venues such as the Ridotto Hall of Teatro Verdi and the Sartorio Museum for the competition’s performances. She extended her thanks to the family of Paolo Spincich, the Trieste-born musician and educator to whom the prize is dedicated.
A Tradition of Cultural Exchange
Director Matteo Fanni Canelles reflected on the competition’s history, recalling its early years as a visionary project that prefigured the cultural spirit later embraced by the European Union. “Participants now come not only from across Europe but also from countries as far as the Arabian Peninsula,” he said. “Over time, the event has become a true international community united by the universal language of music.”
Many past participants, he added, have returned to Trieste to perform and collaborate with the academy, maintaining ties that extend beyond the competition itself.
The 2025 edition will open with a special concert on November 15 at Teatro Verdi, featuring 25-year-old Italian violinist Ulisse Mazzon, accompanied by the Ars Nova Academy Orchestra under Canelles’s direction. Mazzon will perform Antonio Vivaldi’s Four Seasons on the celebrated 1736 Guarneri del Gesù “Muntz” violin, on loan from the Nippon Music Foundation. The instrument, valued at over €10 million, will be heard in Trieste for the first and last time before returning to Japan.
The inaugural concert sold out within hours, though general rehearsals will be open to the public by reservation.
The Competition
The Ars Nova – Paolo Spincich Prize features categories for piano, violin, flute, and chamber music, divided into age groups from 6 to 18 years. Performances will take place in some of Trieste’s most historic venues, including the Sartorio Museum’s Sala Costantinides, Villa Italia, Casa della Musica, Basilica di San Silvestro, Teatro Miela, and the Piccola Fenice Theater.
The final awards concert is scheduled for December 8 at the Giuseppe Tartini Conservatory, culminating a three-week celebration of young musical talent.
In collaboration with the Carducci-Dante High School, the academy also offers students hands-on experience in cultural event management as part of a school-to-work training program.
Featured Artists
Born in Italy, Ulisse Mazzon has won numerous national and international awards, including the Postacchini Prize and the Ars Nova Competition itself. A student of renowned violinist Salvatore Accardo at the Stauffer Academy in Cremona, Mazzon has performed with leading orchestras, including the Vienna Philharmonic, and is recognized for his refined tone and expressive depth.
Composer and conductor Matteo Fanni Canelles, who founded the Ars Nova Competition more than two decades ago, studied under Giacomo Manzoni and Roberto Doati, and his works have been performed internationally, including at the Louvre in Paris.
The Ars Nova Academy Orchestra, composed of professional musicians and emerging artists, reflects the academy’s commitment to the musical traditions of the Alpe Adria region. Its repertoire spans symphonic, chamber, and operatic works.
Collaboration and Support
The 2025 edition is organized in collaboration with the City of Trieste, with contributions from the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and the Casali Foundation. Partner institutions include Casa della Musica, Amici Gioventù Musicale ODV, AGEAS Parents Association, and Artisti in Rete APS, along with the Circolo Unificato dell’Esercito.
Admission to most events is free, subject to availability.
For information and reservations:
📧 arsnovacompetition@gmail.com
📞 +39 328 602 7507
