Anastasiia Petrova, from Russia, was proclaimed the winner of the XIX Edition of the “Giuseppe Di Stefano” International Lyric Competition organized by Luglio Musicale Trapanese. The competition gala concert and the awards ceremony were held at the “Tonino Pardo” Theater in Trapani. The winner’s performance and talent led to her being awarded the prestigious role of Queen of the Night in the production of “The magic Flute” which will be present in the summer program of the Ente Luglio Musicale Trapanese, directed by Maria Paola Viano and musical direction by Alfredo Stillo. Second place went to Jessica Ricci, from Italy, winner of the role of Pamina. Third place was taken by William Hernandez from Costa Rica, who took the role of Papageno. Additionally, the positions of contestants Aziza Omarova (Kazakhstan) in fourth place, Yuki Mizuno (Japan) in fifth place and Martina Saviano (Italy) in sixth place were revealed. The judging commission also recognized the skill of other participants: Dioklea Hoxha, from Kosovo, was assigned the role of Papagena, Antonino Arcilesi, from Italy, the role of Sarastro, Samuele Di Leo, also from Italy, the role of Tamino.
Special awards were also given for talent and distinctive performance during the competition: the Special Prize of the “Friends of Music of Alcamo” was awarded to Samuele Di Leo and Martina Saviano, both Italian; for them an exclusive concert in Alcamo in the 2024/2025 season. The Kiwanis Club of Trapani awarded its Special Prize to Aziza Omarova, from Kazakhstan who will receive a scholarship of 1,000 euros offered by the Kiwanis Club of Trapani, called “Menzione Francesco Braschi”, in honor of one of the founding members of the club and the “Giuseppe Di Stefano” competition. The Opéra Grand Avignon Special Prize was also awarded to Aziza Omarova who will get an exclusive concert in the 2025/2026 season at the Opéra Grand Avignon. These awards and recognitions testify to the high artistic level of the participants and the cultural diversity represented in the world of international opera.
An international jury chaired by the famous Luciana Serra, was composed, in addition to the artistic director of the Luglio Musicale Trapanese Walter Roccaro, by Micaela Carosi, Simone Di Crescenzo, Ugo Guagliardo, Lisa Navach, Sebastian Schwarz, Luigi Stillo, Maria Paola Viano, all musicians and experts in opera and classical music, with a wide range of knowledge and skills in the field of music, from performance to education, research and artistic production. In addition to the jury prizes and special recognitions, during the awards ceremony, the public had the opportunity to vote for their favorite competitor, thus establishing the Public Prize, which went to Martina Saviano, from Italy. The award was presented by one of the fans of the Luglio Musicale Trapanese audience. The prize consists of a contribution of 250 euros.
The gala evening, with the related awards ceremony of the “Giuseppe Di Stefano” International Opera Competition, presented by Giusy Ferrara, production director of the “A. Rendano” was of great prestige and passion, it celebrated the talent and beauty of the opera in an atmosphere of elegance and splendor with the performances. The evening began with a solemn opening, the speech of the president of the jury Luciana Serra and the presence of the artistic director of the Luglio Musicale Trapanese Walter Roccaro and the managing director Natale Pietrafitta, who took stock of the history, objectives and characteristics of the competition. “The Magic Flute” will be staged on 24 and 26 July at the “Giuseppe Di Stefano” open air theater in Trapani, with a young cast. “This production promises to bring new life and freshness to a classic masterpiece such as Mozart’s opera. With the direction of Alfredo Stillo and the direction of Maria Paola Viano, the audience will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the fascinating world of “The Magic Flute”, enriched by passionate interpretations and the scenic beauty of the open-air theatre. The young cast will bring energy and enthusiasm to this production, offering a fresh and contemporary perspective.”so declares Walter Roccaro, artistic director.
“I will work on this work with great respect for its tradition and its universal message. My vision will focus on the existential aspect, that is, the story of the two protagonists, the young Pamina and Tamino, who, searching for themselves through a difficult initiatory journey, discover beauty and love. The installation, which was commissioned to me as a conscious recovery and recycling of pre-existing material, will be a mix of revisited fairy-tale and symbolic elements, which will reflect the essence of the multifaceted and profound story of this Mozart opera, whose music and whose dramaturgy has always amazed and fascinated”– so says Maria Paola Viano, director of “The Magic Flute”. Alfredo Stillo, highly experienced conductor and musician, has masterfully led over 130 performances of “The Magic Flute” during his career. His conducting will bring a touch of profound interpretative sensitivity and technical precision to this extraordinary work by WA Mozart.
