OPUS ONE
Opus One Summer Music Festival
AUGUST, 2025 LONDON - PARIS
Welcome to the Opus One Summer Music Festival, building on the success of our 2024 Summer Piano Festival.
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This year, we are expanding our scope to offer an even richer experience, featuring three distinguished professors leading masterclasses delivering insightful talks. Designed with flexibility in mind, the festival allows participants to tailor their journey: whether immersing themselves in specific sessions or the full program.
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Students will have the extraordinary opportunity to perform at the Royal Academy of Music, receiving certificates to mark their achievements. The festival offers masterclasses with world-class musicians and professors, access to high-quality practice rooms, professional recordings, engaging lectures, guided cultural tours, and chamber music performances. Beyond the music, it’s a chance to form lifelong friendships in a vibrant artistic environment.
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As places are strictly limited, we encourage early applications to secure your spot. Don’t miss this chance to elevate your musicianship, apply now and be part of this exceptional musical experience!​
INTRODUCING DISTINGUISHED PROFESSORS
Julian Jacobson
Piano professor at
Royal College of Music and
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Pascal Nemirovski
Professor, International Chair in Piano at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Madeleine Mitchell
Violin professor at
Royal college of music
Julian Jacobson is a distinguished British pianist, conductor, and educator, renowned for his versatility and deep musical insight. A graduate of the Royal College of Music, he studied under John Barstow and Louis Kentner, later establishing himself as a leading interpreter of classical and contemporary repertoire.
Jacobson has performed as a soloist with major orchestras, including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and has appeared at prestigious venues such as Wigmore Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall. He is particularly acclaimed for his complete performances of Beethoven’s 32 Piano Sonatas in a single day, a feat demonstrating his exceptional endurance and artistry.
Beyond performance, he is a sought-after pedagogue, serving as a Professor of Piano at the Royal College of Music and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. His masterclasses and lectures inspire musicians worldwide, and his recordings and editions contribute significantly to piano literature.
Pascal Nemirovski is an internationally acclaimed pianist and pedagogue, recognized for his exceptional teaching and mentorship. Born in France, he studied at the Juilliard School under the legendaries Nadia Reisenberg and Adele Marcus; later established himself as a sought-after educator, shaping the next generation of pianists.
As a Professor of Piano at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and a former Professor at the Royal Academy of Music, Nemirovski has guided numerous award-winning students, including laureates of major international competitions. His teaching philosophy blends technical excellence with deep musical expression, earning him invitations to give masterclasses at leading institutions worldwide.
Beyond teaching, he has served as a juror for prestigious competitions and founded the International Piano Masters, furthering his dedication to nurturing young talent. With a reputation for inspiring and refining exceptional pianists, he remains a pivotal figure in the global classical music community.
Madeleine Mitchell is an internationally renowned British violinist, celebrated for her versatility as a soloist, chamber musician, and educator. She has performed in over 50 countries, appearing at prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Wigmore Hall, Sydney Opera House, and Lincoln Center. A champion of contemporary music, she has premiered numerous works written for her by leading composers, including James MacMillan and Michael Nyman.
Her extensive discography includes critically acclaimed recordings for labels such as Naxos, Signum, and Nimbus, with her albums frequently receiving top accolades. In addition to her performing career, she is a Professor of Violin at the Royal College of Music, where she is highly regarded for her inspiring teaching and masterclasses worldwide.
Mitchell is also the founder of the London Chamber Ensemble, further demonstrating her dedication to collaborative music-making. Her artistry and commitment continue to make a significant impact on the classical music world.
LONDON
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What participant will get:
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Festival certificate, to be handed on Aug.9th
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1st place in advanced student concert will have cash price sponsered by Richard Lawson Pianos
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Trophy ( Gold, Bronze, or Silver) on Aug 9th
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Jury comments, to be handed digitally within a week
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Photos and video recordings
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Winners will have coverage from International Piano magazine
Participation condition:
Each applicant need to submit an application form. Additionally, we require one performance video, which may include multiple pieces. We will select one or two pieces from the video for the masterclasses with the professors. These selected pieces will also be performed at the Royal Academy of Music on the 9th. The remaining repertoire can be performed in other festival events, such as the public concert at the St Mary Le Grand church on Aug.4th and/or the private performance at the St Pancras Clock Tower on Aug. 5th. The video which you submit will also be used to assess the level of chamber music repertoire. Chamber music pieces will be assigned to you 2 weeks after your registration is confirmed, ensuring you have sufficient time to prepare.
Dates:
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Registration opening: February 20th 2025
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Registration closing: June 30th 2025
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Latest date to arrive in the UK: August 6th 2025
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Exact date of masterclasses will be confirmed by July 2025
JUDGES
Melanie Spanswick is an award-winning pianist, composer, author, and educator. A graduate of the Royal College of Music, she has performed internationally as a soloist, chamber musician, and accompanist, with appearances on Classic FM, BBC Radio, and at venues such as Wigmore Hall and the Southbank Centre.
As a respected educator, she teaches at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Eton College, and has given masterclasses and workshops across Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia.
Melanie has authored over 30 acclaimed piano books, including the best-selling Play it again: PIANO series and the award-winning Women Composers – A Graded Anthology for Piano. Her compositions, published by leading music publishers, are featured on syllabuses and in festivals worldwide.
Michael Maxwell Steer is a composer, producer, writer, and teacher based in Tisbury, Wiltshire. He directs the Cherubim Music Trust, a charity founded by his wife Clancy that loans professional-calibre instruments to young musicians and presents them in concerts and recordings. He also curates the Aperitif Concerts at London’s Savile Club, showcasing Cherubim Young Musicians. Formerly Head of 20th-Century Studies at the Junior Royal College of Music, Michael pioneered audiophonic composition and created over 120 BBC drama broadcasts, including 25 original scripts. He also performed on BBC Radio 3 as a harpsichordist. Since relocating to Wiltshire in 1991, he has taught piano, developed the ColourMuse method for beginners, and composed extensively for voice. He is currently planning Cherubim’s 25th anniversary in 2026.
PARIS
Students participating in the Paris trip may choose to continue from the earlier events or join independently by traveling straight to Paris. More information TBA
AUG. 10
Eurostar London to Paris
Settle down at
Maison des étudiants canadiennes
AUG. 11
Paris night tour
Champs Élysée, jardin tuilière, Arc triumph, cruise on Seine river
AUG. 12
Paris culture tour
Louvre
AUG. 12
Solo piano concert
Concert à la chandelle à l'église St. Ephrem : Chopin, Schubert, Satie, Beethoven
AUG. 13
Eiffel tower
Tour Effiel area
AUG. 11
Daytime Concert
Salon Wilson
Concert thème: French music
AUG. 12
Paris culture tour
Philharmonic de Paris
philharmonie des enfants and museum
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AUG. 12
Paris culture tour
Notre-Dame Cathedral
AUG. 13
Saint-Germain-en-Laye
​Debussy Museum
Supported by
2024 Opus One Festival
