The organ competition held during the International Organ Festival of Évora (FIOE) featured public performances by eight pre-selected candidates from Italy, Spain, and Portugal. These performances took place at the churches of S. Francisco and Espírito Santo.
Event organizers highlighted that the festival offered young organists, aged 14 to 25, a chance to showcase their talents and develop under the scrutiny of an esteemed international jury.
The list of prize winners includes several Portuguese organists. In the basic level category, David Penela was awarded the 1st prize, while Sophia António secured the 3rd prize.
In the intermediate level, António Costa won the 2nd prize, and Luísa Correia received the 3rd prize. In the advanced level, Alice Rocha earned an honorable mention.
The FIOE is organized by the S. Francisco church, in partnership with the Cathedral Chapter of Évora and the Espírito Santo church.
This biennial competition, part of the festival’s parallel activities, is open to young organists up to 29 years old.
The total monetary prizes amounted to 6,550 euros, with the grand prize of 4,000 euros awarded to the advanced level winner, along with a concert during the next Festival Cycle, either in Évora or at the Church of S. Vicente de Fora in Lisbon.
Organizers cited Évora’s “unique organ heritage in Portugal, recently restored,” as part of their effort to enhance its recognition and promote both the instruments and their repertoire.
