We know this is an award that rightly means a great deal to Andrea.

The Handel Prize of the City of Halle (Saale) is awarded to individuals or ensembles for special artistic, scientific or cultural-political achievements in connection with the international care of Handel in Halle. It is an undoped honorary award. 

In its statement, the Board of Trustees and Advisory Board of the Handel House Foundation recognised Andrea Marcon "as a prominent figure in early music. What sets him apart as a Handel Prize winner, in addition to his outstanding musicality, is his reputation, his Handel interpretations and, last but not least, his close connection to Handel research. Andrea Marcon, for example, used the material from the Halle Handel edition for his performance of Handel's “Parnasso in festa” in Halle. The performance of “Giulio Cesare” in the version from 1725, which Andrea Marcon will present as a conductor in Halle at the Handel Festival 2021 as a modern premiere, is based on knowledge and on the basis of the sheet music from the Halle Handel Edition. Andrea Marcon is one of the most recognized and sought-after musicians and an expert on early music." 

Andrea in return acknowledged: "I am deeply honoured to be awarded with the Handel Prize 2021 from the city of Halle an der Saale. My thanks goes to the Handel House Foundation and the Advisory Board as well to the Mayor of Halle Dr. Bernd Wiegand.

Together with Bach, Handel’s music has always been part of my musical life since the very beginning and still enlightens it every day with the same power and passion. I want to share as well this prestigious acknowledgment with all soloists, orchestras, opera houses with whom I happily worked sharing the always enriching music of our beloved Handel: thanks caro Sassone, thanks Halle!"

Full details of the award can be found here:

Handel House

Image: (c) Marco Borggreve