The finalists have been announced for the York Early Music International Young Artists Competition.

The event will take place on Saturday 11th July, as the finale to 50th anniversary York Early Music Festival (3rd — 11th July).

Recording prize

It will feature nine ensembles from around the world aiming to claim the main prize of a professional CD recording contract from Linn Records, £1,000 and opportunities to work with BBC Radio 3 and the National Centre for Early Music.

Presented by Steven Devine, the judges consist of Paul Agnew, (Les Arts Florissants); Anna Danilevskaia, (Sollazzo Ensemble); Katy Debretzeni, (English Baroque Soloists); Veerle Declerk, (Concertgebouw, Bruge); and Phil Hobbs, (Linn Records).

Other prizes are supported by the Cambridge Early Music Festival; the European Union Baroque Orchestra Development Trust; and the Friends of the York Early Music Festival.

Informal recitals will take place at the NCEM in the run up to the final on Thursday 9th and Friday 10th July.

Finalists

I Mastricelli: An early music ensemble founded in 2023 at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague.

Il Parrasio: An ensemble focuses on the vibrant and expressive styles of the Venetian repertoire.

La Mandorle: An ensemble specialising in baroque music with a particular taste for the French treasures of the 17th and 18th centuries.

Lagrime: Led by trombonist Maximilien Brisson, which showcases the vocality of the baroque trombone.

Nari Baroque Ensemble: An ensemble specialising in baroque music on period instruments.

Ossian's Dream: A collective of musicians focusing on performing mainly chamber music from the 18th and 19th centuries under historically informed conditions.

Quarterino: Four musicians who met through the European Union Baroque Orchestra.

The Lyons Mouth: A dynamic vocal consort of young professional singers.

Tra Noi: An ensemble characterised by lively communication, both with each other and with the audience.