Over eight days, a feast of spellbinding acts of virtuosity, heartstring-tugging treasures and heroic masterpieces are performed by the top 16 of the world’s finest young violinists.
The “Michael Hill” is recognised as one of the most sought-after international violin prizes and the careers of future musical legends are launched here in New Zealand when they go head to head for a prize package valued at over $100,000.
Flexible attendance options cater to the enthusiasts as well as those who want to see what the buzz is about. You’ll find you get hooked.
Download a copy of the 2023 Competition Programme: 2023 MHIVC Programme Book
Queenstown: 2-5 June 2023
Audiences can experience the thrill of the hunt up close and personal in the intimate Queenstown Memorial Centre and judge for themselves who will win the grand prize.
Purchase one session (about three hours), three or more sessions (20% off) or a Queenstown Competition Pass which provides flexibility and generous discounts throughout the holiday weekend or like many audience members, get fully stuck into the event.
FRIDAY 2 JUNE | Quarter-final Round 1 | Queenstown Memorial Hall
Round I – 16 Competitors
Collaborating pianists Sarah Watkins and Somi Kim.
Exquisite Bach solo works, fiendishly difficult Paganini caprices, charming salon pieces and the popular Ad Libitum selection of their own choosing.
Pre-concert Talk | 2:00pm | INSIDERS GUIDE – Dance & Polyphony with Zosia Herlihy-O’Brien
Session 1 | 2:30pm – 5:30pm
Reception | 6:00pm Craigs Investment Partners Reception for All-session pass holders, sponsors, host families and artists held at Memorial Centre (by invitation only)
Session 2 | 7:30pm – 10:30pm
SATURDAY 3 JUNE | Quarter-final Round 1 (cont) | Queenstown Memorial Hall
Pre-concert Talk | 9:30am | INSIDERS GUIDE – The Devil’s Violinist with Kihei Lee
Session 3 | 10:00am – 1:00pm
Pre-concert Talk | 1:30pm | INSIDERS GUIDE – The Devil’s Violinist with Kihei Lee
Session 4 | 2:00pm – 5:00pm
SUNDAY 4 JUNE | Quarter-final Round II | Queenstown Memorial Hall
Round II – 16 Competitors
Soaring sonatas, a brand-new commission by Michael Norris and virtuosic show pieces.
Pre-concert Talk | 9:00am | INSIDERS GUIDE – Equal Partners? with Lucas Baker
Session 5 | 9:30am – 1:15pm
Session 6 | 2:30pm – 5:45pm
MONDAY 5 JUNE | Quarter-final Round II (cont) King’s Birthday | Queenstown Memorial Hall
Pre-concert Talk | 9:30am | INSIDERS GUIDE – Showing Off with Hazuki Katsukawa
Session 7 | 10:00am – 1:15pm
Session 8 | 2:30pm – 5:45pm
Judges’ voting
Announcement | 7:00pm (approx) Announcement of NZ Commissioned Work Prize and 6 semi-finalists
Auckland: 7-10 June 2023
The pressure mounts as the whole Competition travels north to the grandeur of the Auckland Town Hall. Whilst the semi-finals are being rehearsed, other Competition violinists are delivering workshops with up and coming Kiwi musicians and undergoing professional development seminars and masterclasses.
By purchasing your tickets through Ticketmaster over the phone on 0800 111 999 you will receive 15% off two sessions booked or 20% off three or more.
Tickets can also be purchased as part of your subscriptions through Chamber Music NZ and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.
WEDNESDAY 7 JUNE | Semi-final Round III | Auckland Town Hall Concert Chamber
The advancing six semi-finalists’ impeccable artistry and leadership skills are on display when, on just 90 minutes’ rehearsal, they lead Mozart’s sublime string quintets with eminent NZ musicians Amalia Hall, Gillian Ansell, Robert Ashworth and Ashley Brown.
Pre-concert Talk | 6:30pm | INSIDERS GUIDE – Mozart’s Viola Quintets with Peter Gjelsten
7:30pm | Round III for 3 semi-finalists
THURSDAY 8 JUNE | Semi-final Round III (cont) | Auckland Town Hall Concert Chamber
7:30pm | Round III for 3 semi-finalists
Judges voting and announcement of 3 finalists
FRIDAY 9 JUNE | NZ Trio and Ning Feng in Concert | Westlake Girls High School
Our artist judges and leading NZ musicians offer public masterclasses, workshops, and ensemble coachings at the University of Auckland School of Music.
7:30pm | NZ Trio and Ning Feng
Public performances by NZTrio and international soloist Ning Feng plays solo Bach and then Piazzola with Sarah Watkins and Ashley Brown.
SATURDAY 10 JUNE | Final Round | Auckland Town Hall, Great Hall
Everything culminates on this final day
9:00am | University of Auckland School of Music hosts sessions for Suzuki students through to a masterclass with virtuoso James Ehnes
4:00pm | Auckland String Sessions Showcase Concert
Dozens of talented Kiwi youth perform alongside the NZ String Quartet, pianist Piers Lane, and Bella Hristova, winner of the 2007 Michael Hill. Repertoire includes Vivaldi, Haydn, Leonie Holmes, Prokofiev and Franck.
Pre-concert Talk | 6:30pm | INSIDERS GUIDE – What is a Concerto? with Rose Light
7:30pm | GRAND FINALE
Be there in person for the thrilling Grand Finale when the winner is announced and the prizes are bestowed (including the Audience Prize, so be prepared and cast your vote!)
The Final Round is when the top three competitors go head to head performing concertos with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Andrew Litton.