International Music Competition of the OPM 2026
The International Music Competition of the Moroccan Philharmonic Orchestra (OPM), created in 1996, returns for a 22nd edition dedicated, for the first time, to cello. This orchestra brings together about 80 professional musicians or very large students.
«Between competition of excellence, openness to the public and international reach, the event confirms its leading role in promoting classical music in Morocco ».
The three finalists named by the jury on March 31st:
- Jiayi Liu, China
- Isaac Lottman, Netherlands
- Luis Aracama, Spain
After a musical direction by Dina Bensaïd (1) for the semifinals, the three musicians will perform great concertos for cello accompanied by the OPM, under the baton of conductor Olivier Holt,
- Friday, April 3, at 8 pm, at the Mohammed V Theatre in Rabat.
- Saturday 4 April, at 8 pm, in Casablanca, concert of the winners.
Playing a concerto with orchestra remains one of the most demanding events in the cello repertoire. The most emblematic are works by Dvořák, Elgar, Schumann, Chostakovich, Chaikovski...
«Virtuosity, endurance, musical sense and ability to interact with the orchestra will be decisive in convincing the jury, the audience and the orchestra ».
For the grand finale of the International Music Competition of the OPM, candidates will have to face one of the most demanding events of the repertoire for cello: the performance of a great concerto with orchestra.
These major works, signed by composers such as Dvořák, Elgar, Schumann, Chostakovich and Chaikovski, are among the most emblematic and formidable pages for cellists.
This year again, the competition will be broadcast live on opm.competition.ma or on their YouTube channel @OrchestrePhilharmoniqueduMorocco.
Follow every moment of the competition in real time, wherever you are!
(1) @dinabensaid was in the baguette in the semifinals
She is a conductor and concertist pianist graduated from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse in Paris. After a career as a pianist, she trained in orchestra direction by Nicolas Brochot and Jorma Panula. Since 2019, she has become assistant conductor of the Moroccan Philharmonic Orchestra and has worked in this capacity with conductors such as Christian Vasquez, Jean-Claude Casadesus, Hervé Niquet and Wolfgang Doerner.
A Moroccan musician who makes classical music shine internationally!
The International Music Competition of the Moroccan Philharmonic Orchestra is organized under the auspices of the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco @alacademiaorgma
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