Inspired by the classical musicians who travelled throughout Europe to train and expand their practice, the ULYSSES network brings together eleven European institutions to promote and develop the professionalism of young composers.

Through the ULYSSES Ensemble, the ULYSSES network took a major step forward in 2017, directing its efforts towards young performers – while remaining focused on the music of today. A new ensemble of young musicians living in Europe is formed each year and travels through several academies and festivals affiliated with the ULYSSES network.

In 2023, the ULYSSES Ensemble, made up of 8 musicians (1 flute,1 clarinet, 1 trumpet, 1 piano, 1 percussion, 1 violin, 1 viola, 1 cello), travels from June to July from Divertimento to the ManiFeste-2023 Academy and the Royaumont Foundation.

STOP 1 – DIVERTIMENTO

Friday, June 16 — Thursday, June 22, 2023, Milan (Italy)
Concert on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, Fabbrica del Vapore, Milan (Italy)
Educational Advisor: Sandro Gorli, conductor – with the participation of Ginevra Nervi, voice soloist

For its first stop, Italian conductor Sandro Gorli invites Italian composer Daniele Ghisi and Spanish composer Mikel Urquiza to attend rehearsals with the ULYSSES ensemble to work closely on their pieces, Black Rain and Les Lueurs se sont multipliées, as well as with young Turkish composer Senay Uğurlu (b. 1997) to create her new piece for small ensemble and electronics, a commission by Divertimento, Fondation Royaumont and IRCAM, endorsed by the ULYSSES network. In addition, young musicians work on Alex Mincek, poco a poco, they rerun in Fondation Royaumont during their last stop. Thus, they experience to rehearse and perform this piece twice with 2 different conductors.

Daniele Ghisi: Black Rain (2021) for voice, ensemble (flute, clarinet, piano, vibraphone, violin, cello) and electronics

Alex Mincek poco a poco (2008) for flute, clarinet, trumpet, piano, violin, viola, cello, 15 minutes

Mikel Urquiza: Les lueurs se sont multipliées (2015) for flute, clarinet, piano, percussion, violin, viola, cello

Click for more information on Stop 2 / IRCAM and Stop 3 / Royaumont Foundation.

ULYSSES ensemble 2021 at ManiFeste-2021. Photo: Quentin Chévrier