Vibrant Classical Offer at midem 2013

PARIS, Oct. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- For its 47^th edition, midem announces today a tailor-made offer for the classical music industry, including a dedicated exhibition and networking zone at the heart of the market, a Classical Bar and a Discussion Lounge, a Classical Embassy programme of concerts, special screenings and outstanding keynote speakers. Organised by Reed MIDEM, midem 2013 will take place in Cannes, 26-29 January.

In 2013, midem puts the spotlight on classical music with a brand-new programme designed to facilitate deal-making, networking and discovery, thanks to an improved environment and dedicated events.

In the Riviera hall of the Palais des Festivals, the 750m² open zone dedicated to the classical and jazz community includes a Classical Bar and a Discussion Lounge, where managers, labels, artists, distributors, publishers and festival programmers will present and discuss their markets and activities through 11 sessions over the four days of midem. Including outstanding speakers such as Jim Selby, CEO, of Naxos of America (USA), Mickael Arcos, Software Engineer, Abeille Musique (France), Jerald Miller, Founder and President, Nu Jazz Entertainment (USA) and Matthias Roder, Director, Karajan Institute (Austria), the discussions will be moderated by James Jolly, Editor-in-chief of Gramophone and Presenter at BBC Radio 3.

"I've been coming to midem for about 23 years and I've always found it a stimulating environment to share opinions, become fired up by people's enthusiasms and, at the end of the day, do business," said James Jolly. "I've long believed that the classical world is highly innovative. Digital distribution, social media, adding video into the mix -- these are all topics for discussion and debate. Our aim is that over the four days of midem we will have discussed every element of the journey from a musician wanting to record a piece of music to the music-lover enjoying that recording."

The world-renowned classical pianist Lang Lang is taking the midem stage as a Visionary Monday keynote speaker, to explain how talent, technology and brand partnerships contributed to exposing his music to a broader community, while disrupting the classical music world. "I want to help classical music reach new markets and a broader audience. With its focus on tech, brands and artists, midem is the best place to make it happen," said Lang Lang.

The midem 2013 classical offer includes the IMZ Avant-Premiere Screenings, a four-day programme of over 350 preview screenings of classical, opera, ballet, traditional and jazz video programmes, organised by IMZ for 100 buyers from worldwide TV broadcasters.

Over the course of three thematic nights, the midem Classical Embassy programme of concerts will allow the most promising young artists to perform in front of both midem participants and a B2C audience. The midem Classical Embassy is organised in partnership with the prestigious Salzburg Festival through their Young Singers Project (YSP) and Young Classical Artists Trust, hosted by James Jolly and supported by distinguished ambassadors such as mezzo-soprano opera star Christa Ludwig, Moldovan violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja, German-Japanese pianist Alice Sara Ott, Alain Lanceron, President of Virgin Classics and Director of EMI Classics France, and Eugene Prim, Managing Director, Solistes Europeens (Luxembourg).

"In 2012, I had the pleasure of selecting 16 of the most talented young singers from among 160 who had applied from many continents and, during the 2012 Salzburg Festival, the YSP ensemble members appeared in 46 performances," said Toni Gradsack, Director of the Young Singers Program of the Salzburg Festival. "It is a great honour and pleasure for me that some of the most talented singers from the YSP ensemble are invited to perform in 2013 on the international midem stage, in front of both music professionals from all over the world and music lovers."

You can access here and embed into your website an exclusive video interview for midem in which Lang Lang discusses the classical music industry.

About midem – midem is an annual international b2b event dedicated to the new music ecosystem, with a tradeshow, conferences, competitions, networking events and live performances. It's the place where music makers, cutting-edge technologies, brands & talents come together to enrich the passionate relationship between people & music, transform audience engagement and form new business connections. 

SOURCE Reed MIDEM