Competition Highlights and Winners Overview
The women’s choir Raniza from Minsk, Belarus, earned the Absolute Winner title at the 68th International Habaneras and Torrevieja Polyphony Competition. They topped the overall scoring that includes both the habaneras and polyphony categories, securing the main prizes recognized on the winners’ list. The award package includes a grand total prize of 32,000 euros, plus the Best Direction prize, awarded to the conductor for outstanding leadership and interpretation. Jose Hodar Talavera received a trophy for his role as director, while Victor Maslennikov was acknowledged for guiding the joint performance of 300 choristers from Canta Mar who collaborated on the habanera interpretation, underscoring the competition’s collaborative spirit and high artistic standards. The jury president, Josep Robert Sellés, and other esteemed jurors helped shape the decisions at a pivotal moment for the event.
The closing moments featured visual notes and reflections from the participants and organizers. The captions accompanying images highlighted participants and the event’s energy, including a note on notable performers such as Victor Maslennikov and Victor Galan. The page also saluted the four national choirs that earned finalist status and recognized the Gaos Chorus from A Coruña for its strong polyphony performance. Riga’s Ax Women’s Chorus and other distinguished groups were acknowledged for their habanera and polyphony contributions, as well as their competitive standing. The ceremony honored the premiere of remarkable choirs, with praise directed toward teams from Griñón, Santander, A Coruña, Latvia, and Belarus for their sustained excellence. A representative from Cor Jove Amics de la Unió in Granollers, Barcelona, explained scheduling conflicts prevented their attendance at the premiere, though their anticipated participation remained significant.
During the closing remarks, a respected journalist celebrated the event’s ten editions and commended the Board of Trustees for the opportunity to contribute to an occasion meaningful to the people of Torrevieja. The mayor spoke about the festival’s impact and the municipal theater’s evolving role, highlighting the dedication required to sustain a vibrant choral competition that continually adapts and innovates while preserving its core spirit.
Another moment captured the gratitude of the organizing team for the broad public engagement seen each evening, both in the theater and on the Vista Alegre promenade. The president of the Provincial Assembly emphasized the cultural pride this competition generates for the Alicante region, noting the provincial authority’s direct support and collaboration in bringing the event to life and recognizing its enduring value for the community. A seasoned organizer also expressed confidence in the plans for future editions, signaling readiness to meet the demands of an increasingly international audience.
The competition concluded with a forward-looking note, acknowledging that the 2023 edition was crafted to be unforgettable and that it signaled a successful renewal of the event after recent years of transition. The organizers framed the edition as a milestone in restoring international participation and advancing the reputation of the competition on the world stage.
COMPETITION AWARDS
HABANERAS
• First Prize “Ricardo Lafuente” with a prize of 12,000 euros and a trophy. Raniza Women’s Chorus, Minsk, Belarus, earned the top habanera honor.
• Second Prize “Francisco Vallejos” awarded with 5,000 euros and a trophy. Ax Women’s Chorus, Riga, Latvia, placed prominently in habaneras.
• Third Prize “Francisco Grau” awarded with 2,500 euros and a trophy. Gaos Chorus, A Coruña, Galicia, also distinguished in this category.
POLYPHONY
• First Prize “Juan Aparicio” awarded with 10,000 euros and a trophy. Raniza Women’s Chorus, Minsk, Belarus, earned the top polyphony distinction.
• Second Prize “César Cánovas” awarded with 4,000 euros and a trophy. Gaos Chorus, A Coruña – Galicia, recognized for its strong polyphonic performance.
• Third Prize 2,000 euros and a trophy, awarded to Ax Women’s Chorus, Riga, Latvia, for a compelling polyphonic presentation.
Best Director Award “José Hódar Talavera” included a trophy and shared direction responsibilities. Victor Maslennikov, manager of Raniza Women’s Chorus, Minsk, Belarus, was acknowledged for exemplary leadership in guiding the ensemble’s performance. An Audience Award of 2,000 euros and a trophy went to the choir receiving the most votes from the subscribers.
Alicante Provincial Council supported the event with a 10,000-euro prize and trophy for the choir achieving the highest overall score across habanera and polyphony in the final stage. Raniza Women’s Chorus from Minsk, Belarus, also earned a gold certificate along with the six choruses recording the highest overall scores, recognizing excellence across both competition modalities. The list of honored groups included Ax Women’s Chorus (Latvia), Gaos Chorus (A Coruña – Galicia), Coral Santiago Apostol (Grinon – Madrid), Santander University Cantabria Coral Cameras, and Cor Jove Amics de La Uniò (Granollers – Barcelona).