International Competition for Piano and Orchestra City of Cantù

Cantù, city of the piano

Known for its furniture and craftsmanship tradition, Cantù, in the province of Como, has also been a reference point for international piano music for over thirty years. The International Competition for Piano and Orchestra City of Cantù attracts young performers from every continent each year, determined to measure themselves against one of the most esteemed competitions on the Italian scene.

A competition with a live orchestra

The distinctive feature of the competition is the constant presence of the orchestra: candidates do not only perform as soloists but perform the great piano and orchestra concertos of the repertoire accompanied live, right from the elimination rounds. The reference ensemble is the "Antonio Vivaldi" Italian Philharmonic Orchestra, a stable ensemble on the Italian music scene. The competition is divided into two sections — Classical and Romantic/20th Century — with semifinals and finals taking place over several days.

The Fumagalli Theatre

The heart of the event is the Fumagalli Theatre in Cantù, which hosts the performances for the public and an international jury. For the city, it is a keenly felt event, capable of selling out on the final evenings when the remaining competitors vie for victory on stage with the orchestra.

A platform for young talents

Designed as a launchpad for the best musical talents, the competition offers participants much more than a contest:

• Performances with a live orchestra from the elimination rounds onwards
• Free hospitality with volunteer local families
• Daily access to a piano for practice
• Private consultations with jury members after each round

For classical music enthusiasts, attending the competition days means discovering the protagonists of tomorrow's piano scene in advance, in an intense and intimate atmosphere that only great competitions can offer.