The popular Hungarian classical music TV talent show, Virtuosos, is entering its eighth season. In 2022, the TV channels of all five participating countries will present the program “Virtuosos V4+ Slovenia” in the winter program structure, in November, so that up to 70 million people can get to know the rich musical traditions of Hungary and the region this year as well. Before the broadcasts of this season – the selection in Hungary, as well as the international semi-finals and the final – a special “Best of Virtuosos V4+” episode will be made on Duna TV on Friday, April 1, from 20.45. In the new episode, viewers will also be able to take a sneak peek into the Hungarian casting of the 2022 season.
Virtuosos is a unique classical music programme in Hungarian television, which has been succesful since its launch, attracting millions of viewers every season. The goal of the show and educational program is to use classical music to set an example for the youth of the present and discover their talents, and then give them a lifetime of experience, development, and concert performances with the world’s biggest stars.
Mariann Peller, the creator, founder and producer of Virtuosos, says community, collaboration, support for the future of classical music, and complex talent management is one of the most important aim for the Virtuosos production since the show’s inception. The mission of the program is to support a young generation to recognize its values and its classical culture. The popular Hungarian invention is now entering its eighth season. As in the previous two seasons, this year the countries of the Visegrad Four Countires – and in addition to Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland, Virtuosos V4 + is also looking for classical musical talent in Slovenia.
The show takes place under the main patronage of Prof. Dr. Miklós Kásler, Minister of Human Capacities of Hungary. This Friday tere will be an episode called “Best of Virtuosos V4+” on Duna TV on Friday, April 1, from 20:45. They evoke the best moments of the show with comments from Maestro Plácido Domingo and Erika Miklósa.
Maestro Plácido Domingo , a permanent jury member and dedicated patron of the Virtuosos, talks about his memories and insights about the show. Moreover, at the end of the show, the audience can get a taste of the events of the Hungarian selection in 2022.
New members will be introduced in the jury of the Hungarian casting. The chairman of the jury is András Keller Kossuth -, Liszt, Bartók-Pásztory awared violinist; artistic director and first conductor, founder of the world-famous Keller String Quartet, Professor of Violin at the Guildhall School of Music and holder of more than 70 international awards.
The other member of this year’s new Hungarian jury is the mentor of last year’s international broadcasts, pianist Norbert Káel , one of the best-known representatives of the crossover music style, and an active performer in Hungarian and international music with a doctorate in jazz.
The big novelty of the season is that for the first time this year, the program will be looking for outstanding talent in the neighboring countries, among Hungarians living abroad: Virtuosos experts will visit Slovakia, Transylvania, Pustina and Vojvodina to listen to young people playing classical music.
At the Virtuosos press conference, Prof. Dr. Miklós Kásler said he follows the history of the Virtuosos with extraordinary sympathy. “They are spreading the word about Hungarian culture to the sanctuaries of music in the world! Music means peace, the comfort for the human soul. Not a single musical talent, no spark will go out, everyone will be discovered in the show. ” – added the Minister of Human Resources, who also mentioned the importance of castings being held across the border this year.
Mariann Peller, the producer of the show, has stated that Virtuosos is a cultural mission that more and more people are joining. He said there will also be new members on the Virtuosos V4 + international jury this year: Harvey Goldsmith , a well-known concert promoter whose achievements include the Live Aid concert series. The jury will also include Pablo Sainz-Villegas , a world-renowned Spanish guitarist. As a star performer, star singer Matteo Bocelli will be seen by millions of viewers.
Talent management, providing concert opportunities for outstanding talent, remains one of the most important missions of the Virtuosos program: the Meeting of the International Artistic Committee of Virtuosos at the House of Hungarian Music, chaired by Maestro Plácido Domingo. Also participating in the committee are violinist András Keller , conductor, Gergely Bogányi pianist, Clara Dent oboist, Petar Čulić guitarist , conductor Gábor Hollerung , and music teachers Gábor Eckhardt and István Kohán.