The Etrillard Foundation wishes to contribute to the discovery of talents and the promotion of original musical writings from the Middle Ages to the present day. Thus, it quite naturally decided to support the Art Song Prize (Prix de mélodie) of the Nadia and Lili Boulanger International Competition, dedicated to bringing to light the most talented musicians of tomorrow, for its 11th and 12th editions.
This biennial competition—open to candidates under 32 years of age—helps boost the careers of singers and pianists from all over the world who perform as a duo. The required repertoire demands a balance between the Lied and the French mélodie, including at least one work by Nadia Boulanger or Lili Boulanger.
For its 11th edition in 2021, the Art Song Prize – Etrillard Foundation Prize was awarded to the duo consisting of Flore Van Meerssche, soprano, and Gyeongtaek Lee, pianist. The duo Flore Van Meerssche and Gyeongtaek Lee captured the spirit of melodies by Berlioz and Chausson, as well as by Manuel de Falla and a Germanic repertoire somewhat off the beaten track. They proved their ability to serve as ambassadors for these works, often unknown to the general public, which resonates with the Etrillard Foundation’s mission to rediscover musical repertoires.
For the 12th edition of the competition, from October 26 to 29, 2023, in Paris, the jury was chaired by Graham Johnson, a pianist specializing in the lied and the art song.
The Art Song Prize – Etrillard Foundation was awarded to the duo consisting of Florian Störtz, a 29-year-old German bass-baritone, and Mark Rogers, a 24-year-old American pianist.
During the final, they dazzled the audience with their interpretation of Doute by Nadia Boulanger, Civet à toute vitesse by Leonard Bernstein, and Der Wanderer by Franz Schubert.