Schulich students make their mark at the 2022 Mathieu Duguay Early Music Competition

Congratulations to Early Music graduates Guillaume Villeneuve (Gr. Dip in Performance’20), Tristan Best (BMus’19, MMus’21), and Sébastien Mitra (BMus’18), who were awarded First Prize, Second Prize and Third Prize, respectively, at the 2022 Mathieu Duguay Early Music Competition of the Lamèque International Baroque Music Festival this July 2022. The 5th edition of the competition heard finalists make their mark with a riveting first recital with basso continuo, which included Hank Knox (BMus’78, MMus’79) on harpsichord and Amanda Keesmaat (Art Dip’99) on cello. The prizes were awarded after a final concert featuring concertos by Abel, C.P.E. Bach and Vivaldi, with each soloist offering incredible final performances with the Mission Saint-Charles Orchestra, conducted by Hank Knox.  

In addition to winning the $3,000 First Prize, Guillaume took home the Festival Montréal Baroque Award valued at $500, the Été musical de Barachois Award and Audience Choice Award. Tristan received the Coup de coeur du fondateur Award valued at $1,000 as well as the $1,500 Second Prize. 

The Mathieu-Duguay Classical Music Competition encourages young musicians and the development of new talent in the field of Early Music. The jury was composed of harpsichordist Hank Knox, recorder player and Festival Artistic Director Vincent Lauzer (BMus’10, MMus’12), violist Margaret Little, conductor Dana Marsh, and soprano and harpsichordist Dorothéa Ventura (BMus’03). 

Bravo to all the competitors!