The Opera della Primaziale Pisana and the Anima Mundi Festival of Sacred Music announce the 17th Anima Mundi International Competition of Sacred Composition. The composition competition was created to carry forward the historical and artistic tradition of the choir of the Cappella Musicale del Duomo and its sacred musical tradition.

This year the composition should be based on the text Salve Regina, to be created for solo soprano voice, four-part choir SATB, accompanied by organ and a string orchestra composed of first and second violins, viola, cello and double bass. The composition should be between 10 and 12 minutes long.

There is freedom of choice in the compositions as regards to the appropriate style and language. However, the entries will be judged not only for their artistic value but also for their fitness for purpose in the liturgical and parish context for which they are primarily intended. For this reason, a reduced version of the composition for solo organ is also required.

The competition is open to composers of any nationality, regardless of age, who possess a first level academic diploma or a university degree/diploma awarded by a Conservatory under the pre-existing system in Composition, current registration in a first or second level course in Composition at an Italian Music Conservatory or equivalent institution and students with other equivalent qualifications obtained abroad which are recognised as appropriate may also be admitted. Each composer will be able to participate in the competition with a single score which is entirely original and has never been published, performed or recorded previously.

The deadline of submission is April 16, 2025. The adjudication committee, chosen by the artistic director, will be composed of musicians and composers, presided over by the Artistic Director of the Anima Mundi Sacred Music Festival.

The winner will receive a prize of € 5,000.00 (five thousand euros). The award ceremony and the performance of the winning composition will take place in September 2025, as part of the XXIV edition of Anima Mundi Festival of Sacred Music programme, in the Cathedral of Pisa.