During two days of incredibly intense work, the 2012 edition of the Premio "Francesco Geminian" was held in Casa Boggian (Verona). The winners were given precious musical instruments made by Italian luthiers, on loan (free) for two years, which is a great way to support musicians at the beginning of their career.

The jury was made up of Sandro Laffranchini (first cello in the Orchestra of the Teatro and Filarmonica della Scala in Milan), Marco Rogliano (violin teacher at the Pavia Musical Academy and the “G.B. Pergolesi” Musical Academy in Fermo), Igino Semprebon (viola teacher at the “E.F. Dall'Abaco” Musical Academy in Verona), Umberto Forni (organ teacher at the Verona Musical Academy) and Lucio Lombardi.

During the week-end, about 30 of young people from all over Europe participated in the event, confirming yet again that, over the years, the competition has reached considerable quality standards. Let us examine the results.

Violin: Anica-Dumitrita Vieru, born in Chisinau (Moldavia) in 1990, won the Otello Bignami “Cristina II” violin. Anica, who is currently living in Milan and attending the “G. Verdi” musical academy, played the Sonata for solo violin no. 2 by Ysaye and the Concerto op. 99 by Shostakovic.

Marco Polizzi, a twenty-year-old from Bologna who is currently a student at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien in Hannover, came second, and was awarded the Genuzio Carletti violin.

Demian Baraldi, born in Trento in 1990 and who has completed his studies at the Verona musical academy with Juan Carlos Rybin, came third.

Viola: the winner was Ester Carturan, born in Bolzano in 1989 and who has completed her viola and violin studies. She was given the Celestino Farotto viola. She played the Cadenza per viola sola by Penderecky and the Concerto by Hoffmeister.

Giulia Panchieri (born in Lucca in 1988) and Ugne Tiskute (a 23-year-old Lithuanian who is currently living in London), came second ex-aequo.  

Cello: this category had the highest number of participants this year as well. The highly sought-after prize was the Gaetano Vinaccia cello, which was awarded unanimously by the jury to Johanna Furrer, born in Bregenz (Austria) in 1989, currently a student at Salzburg with Enrico Bronzi. She played the first movement of the Concerto by Antonin Dvorak and the Sonata by Ligeti.

Adriano Melucci (born in Bari in 1992) played Variations on a Rococo Theme by P.I. Tchaikovsky and came second. Eduardo dell'Oglio, born in Turin in 1990, was third.

The audience was made up by welcoming, highly competent people, who gave the winners a very long applause.