Agnesi
International Music Competition
International Music Competition
PianoInterpretationRegulation
PianoInterpretation
Regulation
The Agnesi International Music Competition, Piano Performance Section, is established with the aim of identifying, nurturing and supporting talented young performers from around the world. The Competition seeks to promote interpretative excellence, celebrate the piano repertoire of every era, and offer participants concrete opportunities for artistic and professional growth. The Organisation encourages each participant to present, at every stage, musical programmes that showcase their artistic personality and interpretative ability.
The Piano Performance Section of the Agnesi International Music Competition is open to all pianists born on or after 1 January 1990.
The Organisation of the Agnesi International Music Competition will entrust the assessment of candidates in the Piano Performance Section to a high-quality Jury, composed of prominent figures from the international music world, including:
• World-renowned pianists
• Conservatoire directors
• Festival directors and agents
• Music critics
The Jury will assess performances on the basis of interpretative quality, originality, piano technique, stylistic awareness and artistic personality.
All decisions of the Jury, at every stage of the competition, are to be considered final and binding.
The Organisation, within the Agnesi International Music Competition, establishes two special prizes of significant symbolic value: the Anniversary Award and the Premio Speciale Agnesi.
Participation in both the Anniversary Award and the Premio Speciale Agnesi is optional and does not entail any additional registration fee. The Jury will award the aforementioned special prizes to candidates who distinguish themselves through excellence of interpretation, artistic maturity and the ability to honour the musical language of the chosen composer.
Special Prize – Anniversary Award
Dedicated to the great anniversaries in music history, the Anniversary Award aims to promote awareness and appreciation of the piano repertoire of composers celebrated in the current edition. For the 2026 edition, candidates who include in their Semifinal programme at least one piano composition by one of the following composers will be eligible for the Special Prize “Anniversary Award”:
• Carl Maria von Weber (200th anniversary of his death)
• Benjamin Britten (50th anniversary of his death)
• Manuel de Falla (150th anniversary of his birth)
• György Kurtág (100th anniversary of his birth)
Special Prize “Agnesi”
Dedicated to the figure of the harpsichordist and composer Maria Teresa Agnesi, who inspired the international competition that bears her name, the Special Prize “Agnesi” aims to promote appreciation of her repertoire. For the 2026 edition, candidates who include in their Semifinal programme at least one piano composition by Maria Teresa Agnesi — from those made available by the Organisation on the website by 10 September 2026 — will be eligible for the Special Prize “Agnesi”.
The competition is structured in three stages: Preliminary Round, Semifinal and Final. The first takes place online; the remaining two take place in person from 23 to 27 November 2026 at Villa Borromeo d’Adda in Arcore (MB).
To participate in the online Preliminary Round, candidates must record video performances of two significant piano compositions of their own choice, with a total maximum duration of 10 minutes, and submit them to the Organisation in accordance with the procedure set out in Art. 7 below, no later than 31 October 2026.
Recordings may be made in either landscape or portrait format, provided the audio and video quality is good.
All submitted performances will be assessed by the Jury, which will draw up the list of candidates deemed Eligible and therefore admitted to the subsequent in-person Semifinal. The list of Eligible candidates will be published on the official Competition website no later than 10 November 2026, simultaneously with the publication of the schedule of rounds.
Candidates admitted to the Semifinal must present a programme of their own choice with a maximum duration of 30 minutes. Pieces presented for the Preliminary Round may not be included in the Semifinal programme. Candidates wishing to compete for the Special Prizes (Anniversary Award and/or Premio Speciale Agnesi) must include the relevant pieces in their programme as indicated in Art. 4 above. Pieces submitted for the Special Prizes will be performed during the Semifinal and, at the Jury’s sole discretion, may be requested for repeat performance during the Final. At the end of the Semifinal, the names of the candidates admitted to the Final will be announced — namely those whose performance has received a minimum score of 96/100, calculated as the average of all jurors’ marks.
The Final will take place in concert format and may therefore be open to the public.
Candidates admitted to the Final must present a programme of their own choice with a maximum duration of 25 minutes. Pieces presented for the Preliminary Round and the Semifinal may not be included in the Final programme, except at the Jury’s sole discretion. At the end of the performances, the Jury will convene for a brief deliberation before announcing the final rankings and the corresponding prize winners. The Jury reserves the right not to award one or more prizes should it find no candidates of a sufficient standard, and to award prizes ex aequo. In such cases, the corresponding prize will be divided equally between the joint winners.
On 29 November 2026, the Gran Galà Agnesi will take place — a celebratory event open to the public at which the winners of the Agnesi International Music Competition 2026 will perform.
The Competition Organisation reserves the right to admit directly to the Semifinal those candidates who, in 2025 or 2026, won prizes at international piano competitions of established prestige.
Interested candidates must submit a specific request to the Organisation no later than 15 October 2026, by sending an email to pianoforte@agnesiinternationalcompetition.it, attaching appropriate documentation evidencing the result achieved. Requests will be assessed by the Artistic Direction, which reserves the right to accept them at its sole discretion. Candidates deemed eligible will receive an email containing a dedicated link to proceed with competition registration.
Direct admission to the Semifinal does not exempt candidates from payment of the registration fee, which remains due from all candidates.
All finalists will receive a Participation Diploma. The following prizes will be awarded to competition winners:
• First place
◦ Hand-crafted artwork by artist Manuel Gervasoni
◦ Scholarship of €2,000
◦ Diploma
◦ Participation in the Gran Galà Agnesi on 29 November 2026
◦ Participation in at least two concerts in the Agnesi circuit
◦ Participation in a Masterclass led by an internationally renowned pianist
• Second place
◦ Hand-crafted artwork by artist Manuel Gervasoni
◦ Scholarship of €1,000
◦ Diploma
◦ Participation in at least one concert in the Agnesi circuit
• Third place
◦ Medal crafted by artist Manuel Gervasoni
◦ Scholarship of €500
◦ Diploma
Special Prizes:
• Premio Speciale Agnesi
◦ Prize certificate
◦ Scholarship of €200
◦ Participation in the Gran Galà Agnesi, where the winning piece will be performed
◦ Participation in at least one concert in the Agnesi circuit
• Anniversary Award
◦ Prize certificate
◦ Scholarship of €200
◦ Participation in the Gran Galà Agnesi, where the winning piece will be performed
◦ Participation in at least one concert in the Agnesi circuit
The scholarships of the Agnesi International Music Competition are made possible through the support of donors, patrons, institutions and partners who share the Competition’s mission of promoting and nurturing the talent of the next generation of musicians. The Organisation reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to award additional prizes that may be at its disposal at the time of the competition. It also reserves the right to invite artists it deems worthy to participate in one or more concerts in the Agnesi circuit, as well as to introduce them to management agencies, institutions and other competition partners. Each prize constitutes a single whole. Where prizes consist of multiple components, their acceptance by winners is understood to be full and binding.
For this reason, monetary prizes will be paid to winners only following their actual participation in the concerts linked to the prizes.
To participate in the Agnesi International Music Competition – Piano Performance Section, candidates must register no later than 31 October 2026 by completing and signing the form available on the official competition website at www.agnesipianocompetition.com/registration-form, attaching the required documentation, which includes:
• artistic curriculum (brief biography and musical background) and photograph;
• links to two video performances (preferably recent) demonstrating the candidate’s artistic abilities, with a total duration not exceeding 10 minutes;
• proposed musical programme (titles of pieces and total duration);
• proof of registration fee payment (copy or screenshot of receipt).
Please note: Candidates deemed eligible for direct admission to the Semifinal must use the registration form accessible via the link contained in the confirmation email received from the Competition Organisation.
The registration fee, which is non-refundable, is €100 per participant, payable at the time of registration by one of the following methods:
1. Bank transfer payable to:
New Star a.p.s.
IBAN: IT 20 F 02008 01643 000106140781
BIC code: UNCRITM1243
Please use the following payment reference: “Agnesi International Piano Competition”
followed by the candidate’s first and last name. Any bank charges incurred in making the
transfer are to be borne by the participant.
2. PayPal
When choosing this payment method, the registration fee is subject to a surcharge of €5 to
cover commission charges. The total amount of €105 should therefore be sent to
direzione@newstarmilano.it.
Important notes
1. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that the links are freely accessible and not protected by passwords, registration systems or similar.
2. Should the candidate wish to restrict viewing to link recipients only, it is their responsibility to find a platform and method that allows this (for example, by uploading to YouTube as “unlisted”), verifying that anyone who receives the links has free access to view the videos.
3. The Organisation will merely notify candidates promptly of any anomalies (such as inability to access the links received) and cannot be held responsible in any way for any unforeseen events or malfunctions caused by third parties that prevent videos from being viewed.
4. Candidates admitted to the in-person Semifinal will be subject to identity verification by competition staff upon arrival. A valid identity document must be presented. In the case of minor candidates, who must also arrive with a valid identity document, verification will take place through their parents, accompanying adults or legal guardians.
5. Candidates who require a visa to stay in Italy may contact the Competition Secretariat — via the email address indicated in Art. 15 below — to request an official letter of invitation for use in the consular application process.
Admission to the competition and the assessment of candidates are based exclusively on the requirements set out in Art. 2 and on artistic merit. The Organisation endeavours to ensure that no distinctions are made on the grounds of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic or national origin, religion, personal beliefs, or personal or social circumstances. Candidates with disabilities or specific requirements may optionally notify the Organisation through the designated field in the registration form. In the absence of such notification, the Organisation cannot be held responsible for any inability to provide support. Where notification is given, the Organisation undertakes to adopt every reasonable measure to ensure full participation in the competition, subject to the architectural characteristics of the venue. For any cases that may require it, the Organisation is always available via the contact details indicated in Art. 15 below. No such notification has any bearing whatsoever on the Jury’s assessment, which is based exclusively on artistic merit.
By registering for the Competition, the candidate declares that no personal, professional or legal circumstances exist that would prevent their participation or that could harm the image, reputation or regular conduct of the event. The Organisation is indemnified against any liability arising from false information, declarations and/or statements provided by participants. The Organisation accepts no responsibility for any accidental or caused damages or incidents occurring before, during or after the competition as a result of participants’ negligence or failure to observe the standards of conduct expected in the context.
A list of partner hotels and restaurants located near the competition venue, with preferential rates reserved for registered participants, will be published on the official competition website.
Accommodation and meal bookings must be made directly and independently by participants. All travel, accommodation and subsistence costs incurred in attending the Agnesi International Music Competition are to be borne entirely by participants.
The data controller is New Star a.p.s., Via Mosca 30, Milan — direzione@newstarmilano.it.
Candidates’ data are processed for the purpose of managing registration, conducting the competition, awarding prizes and fulfilling related tax obligations, on the legal basis of contractual performance and legal obligations: the provision of data is necessary, and without it participation is not possible. This purpose includes the publication of lists and rankings and the presentation of candidates during the competition.
The Organisation also retains edition materials in its historical archive pursuant to Art. 89 of EU Regulation 2016/679. The promotional dissemination of images, voice recordings and audio/video recordings is governed by Art. 13 below and requires a specific, separate and revocable consent.
Candidates may exercise at any time the rights set out in Arts. 15–22 of EU Regulation 2016/679 — including the right of access, rectification, erasure, restriction of processing, portability and objection — by writing to the data controller at the address indicated above.
The exercise of such rights is subject to the limits provided for by applicable law: in particular, erasure cannot apply to data whose retention is necessary for compliance with legal obligations or for archiving purposes in the public interest pursuant to the aforementioned Art. 89. Candidates also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Italian Data Protection Authority (Garante per la protezione dei dati personali). The full privacy notice is published on the official competition website and forms an integral part of these regulations.
The in-person stages of the Agnesi International Music Competition are recorded in audio and video by the Organisation for documentation and archiving purposes. The dissemination of images, voice recordings and audio/video recordings for promotional, documentary and communications purposes related to the Agnesi International Music Competition is subject to specific prior consent, given by means of a dedicated release form signed free of charge by the candidate at the competition accreditation stage.
This release is also required for the purpose of presenting participants to institutions, theatres and artistic agencies within the international circuit. Consent is freely given and optional: withholding it does not in any way affect participation in the competition or the Jury’s assessment. Consent may be withdrawn at any time by written notice to the Organisation at the email address or postal address indicated in Art. 15.
Withdrawal of consent operates prospectively and does not affect materials already lawfully acquired, disseminated or transferred to third parties. Where consent has not been given or has been withdrawn, the Organisation will exclude the candidate from disseminated materials to the extent technically possible without compromising the integrity of the event documentation. General shots and images in which the candidate appears incidentally and without individual identification, within the context of events open to the public, remain unaffected.
The Organisation reserves the right, where necessary, to amend or supplement these regulations, communicating any changes promptly through the official competition channels. Registration and participation in the Agnesi International Music Competition constitute full and unconditional acceptance of the current version of these regulations and any future versions thereof. Any documents supplementing the regulations, such as registration forms and release forms, are to be considered an integral part thereof. The regulations and updated registration forms are always available on the official competition website: www.agnesipianocompetition.com/regulations.
Further information is available by contacting the Organisation at pianoforte@agnesiinternationalcompetition.it, by visiting the official website www.agnesipianocompetition.com or via WhatsApp at +39 392.65.40.292 (messages only).
The Organisation is indemnified against any liability arising from false information, declarations and/or statements provided by participants. The Court of Milan shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any related disputes. The Italian version of the regulations shall prevail.
The Agnesi Piano Competition welcomes all ages, from beginners to professionals, celebrating the legacy of Maria Teresa Agnesi, an eighteenth-century Milanese composer. With sections for beginners, age-divided categories, and one dedicated to interpretation, it offers every participant genuine musical growth. Prizes, concerts, scholarships, and a distinguished international jury await all entrants.
The Agnesi International Piano Competition features a prestigious international jury, composed of eminent figures from the European musical landscape and faculty of the highest level. A dedicated jury, formed by teachers with expertise in early childhood piano pedagogy, will give careful attention to the youngest participants’ section. A stimulating and formative environment, where every participant will feel heard, welcomed, and encouraged.
The Agnesi International Piano Competition rewards pianistic excellence with scholarships, prize concerts, and special recognitions. Category winners will have the opportunity to perform in prestigious settings, receive financial support for their training, and benefit from the visibility of an international competition. The young pianists’ section features personalized educational prizes, special mentions, and dedicated moments of artistic encouragement.
