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Winners of the Mathieu Duguay Early Music Competition Announced

Winners of the Mathieu Duguay Early Music Competition Announced  

Violinist Guillaume Villeneuve wins first prize

Lamèque, N.B., Wednesday, July 27, 2022: Last Friday evening, the Lamèque International Baroque Music Festival presented the final round of the 5th edition of the Mathieu Duguay Early Music Competition.

In front of more than a hundred enthusiastic music lovers, violist Tristan Best, harpsichordist Sébastien Mitra and violinist Guillaume Villeneuve showed off their talents by performing concertos by Abel, C.P.E. Bach and Vivaldi. The three finalists were accompanied by the Mission Saint-Charles Orchestra under the direction of harpsichordist Hank Knox. The day before, they had all performed a short recital with Hank Knox and cellist Amanda Keesmaat.

At the end of Friday evening, the jury awarded the prizes. Violinist Guillaume Villeneuve won the first prize ($3,000) as well as the Audience’s Choice Award ($500), the "Festival Montréal Baroque" prize and the "Barachois Summer Music" prize.  Violist Tristan Best won the second prize ($1,500) and the "Founder's” prize ($500). Harpsichordist Sébastien Mitra won the third prize ($1,000).  The three finalists, chosen from nearly forty international applications, gave a magnificent concert and received a standing ovation from the audience. 

The jury was composed of harpsichordist Hank Knox, recorder player and Festival Artistic Director Vincent Lauzer, violist Margaret Little, conductor Dana Marsh, and soprano and harpsichordist Dorothéa Ventura.

The Festival thanks Assumption Life, the main partner of the competition.