The curtain was raised on the 12-day Zhuhai International Mozart Competition for Young Musicians at Zhuhai Huafa & CPAA Grand Theater on Sept 10 with a concert titled "Meet the Baroques."

Over 300 teenagers from more than 25 countries and regions in Europe, North America, South America, Asia and Oceania initially entered the competition. Some 100 prodigies who passed the preliminary selection are now going head to head for a spot in the Sept 17-22 showdown.

On Sept 11, the candidates of Group A in piano and violin performed in their 1st round, and the Board of Juries announced candidates to participate the 2nd Round in the evening.

Opening concert

It is the third time that Zhuhai has allied with Salzburg, Mozart's hometown to host the event since its inception in 2015. Salzburg Chamber Soloists joined standout performers from the previous event to play concertos by Baroque maestros Antonio Lucio Vivaldi and Johann Sebastian Bach under the baton of Lavard Skou-Larsen at the opening concert. The orchestra, renowned for Mozart interpretations, will also accompany the contestants at the concert hall in Shizimen Central Business District.

Fifteen musicians and educators from China, Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and South Korea have formed an expert committee to guide the young participants.

Salzburg Chamber Soloists [Photos by Zhu Xi / Zhuhai Daily]

Meanwhile, gratis activities are being held in communities and at campuses and civic arts centers to bring classical music to the public. Skou-Larsen; Wei Danwen, piano doctoral supervisor of the Central Conservatory of Music; Tong Weidong, violin doctoral supervisor of the Central Conservatory of Music; and other music educators will take part in those general public opportunities.

Worth more than 100 million yuan ($14 million) in total, ten vintage instruments by famous violin makers are on display at an exhibition in Zhuhai Huafa & CPAA Grand Theater.

There are 200 free concert tickets provided daily through Sept 16 via WeChat accounts zhhcgt and zhmozart.