The King of Ithaca, Antonino Abate, Michal Oren, Svetlanov Competition and CBSO.

Svetlanov Conducting Competition 2026, Symphony Hall, Birmingham. 1st-Prize Winner Michal Oren. Il Re d’Ithaca (The King of Ithaca) is a concise tone poem. As I composed it, I felt that the music itself was unfolding an epic tale. I found Ulysses’ journey to be the ideal framework for this work, capturing both its rich narrative power and the demanding technical challenges it presents to each finalist within the limited time available. These extra-musical elements are intended solely to guide the listener’s imagination; indeed, the piece focuses on only a few pivotal aspects of Ulysses’ odyssey: the poignant memory of Penelope, the turbulent misfortunes of his voyage, and the sharp intellect and dialectical brilliance that defined the hero. The composition is dedicated, with gratitude, to the Evgeny Svetlanov International Conducting Competition and to the memory of the great Maestro Evgeny Svetlanov.