Madrid's New Competition for Opera Conductors Announces First Winner

By Vivien Schweitzer
July 12, 2006

The First International Jesús López Cobos Opera Conducting Competition, held in Madrid last week, has announced its first winner: 22-year-old Philippe Bach.

According to Europa Press, the young Swiss conductor won €12,000 and a two-season engagement as assistant music director at Madrid's Teatro Real. Jesús López Cobos, the house's music director and the competition's namesake, was on hand to give out the prize, alongside general director Miguel Muñiz.

Runners-up were Ryuichiro Sonoda of Japan and Seungup Yoon of South Korea.

The competition, which will henceforth be held every two years, took place July 4-8 at Madrid's Teatro Real. Ninety-three young directors up to age 34 applied to participate; 39 were chosen. Competitors conducted the Orquesta Sinfónica de Madrid and the Orquesta Titular del Teatro Real in excerpts from operas by Puccini, Mozart and Rossini.