John Zorn’s Jumalattaret with Barbara Hannigan receives the Abbiati Prize 2023

The project, included in the last edition of the Festival, was awarded by the National Association of Music Critics as “new for Italy”

The Festival Of Two Worlds wins the Abbiati prize as the “novelty for Italy” of the year with John Zorn’s Jumalattaret staged at the Teatro Romano for Spoleto 65 with Barbara Hannigan solo voice and Stephen Gosling at the piano. Yet another recognition for the Festival artistic programming, after the Gramophone Awards to Barbara Hannigan and the Budapest Festival Orchestra, this time with the most important national award in the field of music.

The ‘Franco Abbiati’ Prize is awarded annually by the National Association of Music Critics, which chooses the best productions, concerts and initiatives held in Italian theatres, festivals and concert halls.

The 42nd edition commission chaired by Angelo Foletto, and formed by the board of the National Association of Music Critics – Andrea Estero (president), Alessandro Cammarano, Carlo Fiore, Gianluigi Mattietti, Carla Moreni and Stefano Nardelli – and seven critics elected by ANCM members from among its members (Paolo Petazzi, Roberta Pedrotti, Alessandro Rigolli, Patrizia Luppi, Giancarlo Landini, Gregorio Moppi and Susanna Franchi) met yesterday, Wednesday 19 April 2023, at the Milan headquarters of the Amici del Loggione, to decree the 2022 winners.

Artistic Director Monique Veaute expressed her satisfaction: “yet another acknowledgement of the artistic quality of last year’s musical programme, which in this case underlines the innovative scope and originality of the proposal. John Zorn’s Ciclo sung by Barbara Hannigan at the Roman Theatre was highly suggestive for the public, who appreciated its musical and expressive beauty, just as the music critics did in conferring it this important recognition. I am happy that it goes to two artists with whom we have a new and original project for 2024′.

The roll of honour winners since 1981 includes conductors Claudio Abbado, Semyon Bychkov, Riccardo Muti, Zubin Mehta, Daniele Gatti, directors Luca Ronconi and Graham Vick, director-scenographers Pier Luigi Pizzi and Hugo De Ana, pianists Radu Lupu and Maurizio Pollini, and singers Anna Caterina Antonacci and Samuel Ramey.