The Richmond Symphony, the University of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University, the Community Idea Stations (the area’s public radio and television corporation) and the City of Richmond are bidding to play host to the 2020 Menuhin International Competition for young violinists.
Named for Yehudi Menuhin (1916-99), the American-born British violinist, conductor and educator, the competition for violinists aged 22 and younger runs for 11 days, with opening and closing gala concerts with orchestra, as well as other public performances.
Forty-four contestants from 17 countries, chosen from more than 400 applicants, took part in the 2016 competition, held in London. One of its winners, Yesong Sophie Lee of Seattle, performed with violinist Joshua Bell in the opening-night concert of the Richmond Symphony in September.
Past competition sites have included Oslo, Beijing and Austin. The 2018 event will be staged in Geneva.
“Richmond is understood to be the only North American venue still being considered” for the 2020 competition, according to a release issued by the Richmond Symphony. Other contenders are believed to be London and Melbourne.
The winning bidder will be announced in April during the Geneva competition finals.
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