Spanish conductor Julio García Vico wins 16th Donatella Flick Conducting Competition
Lucy Thraves
Monday, May 24, 2021
Vico will now become assistant conductor with the London Symphony Orchestra for one year.
(c) Mark Crossick/PA Newswire.
The 29-year-old Spanish conductor Julio García Vico has won the 16th Donatella Flick Conducting Competition.
He conducted the London Symphony Orchestra from memory at an adjudicated concert at LSO St Luke’s on London’s Old Street, receiving a £15,000 cash award from Donatella Flick, and becoming assistant conductor at the London Symphony Orchestra for one year.
The 16th Competition, which marks 30 years since the first competition in 1991, was originally scheduled to take place in February 2021 but was postponed due to Covid-19.
Vico was one of 20 young conductors who competed across the competition’s three days, from 21-23 May. The runners-up were 25-year-old Martijn Dendievel from Belgium and 24-year-old Chloe Rooke from the UK.
Donatella Flick said: 'The past year has been a time of huge uncertainty for musicians with many facing significant challenges and some leaving the profession altogether. So to see the skill, musicianship and enthusiasm of the young people taking part has been truly heartening.
'Warmest congratulations to Julio García Vico, a worthy winner who, as LSO assistant conductor, will have the opportunity to work with some of the greatest conductors in the world.'