Oltregiogo Piano Competition

An international piano competition in the heart of Alto Monferrato

The Oltregiogo Piano Competition is an international piano contest that transforms Gavi, a village in the Alto Monferrato area of the province of Alessandria (Piedmont), into a city of the piano every autumn. Established in 2021 by the Associazione Musica&Cultura Pentagramma, the competition has become a staple of the Piedmontese musical calendar, drawing dozens of young pianists from across Italy and abroad to the Teatro Civico in Gavi.

Young talents competing before an audience

The competition is divided into several sections based on age groups, ranging from young beginners to advanced performers under 35. Contestants choose their own repertoire and perform before a jury composed of internationally renowned concert pianists and conservatory professors. One of the most appreciated features of the event is that all auditions are open to the public: for a few days, the Teatro Civico becomes a grand, free concert hall where you can hear the next generation of pianists perform live.

Prizes, scholarships, and winners' concerts

In addition to the overall and category prizes, the competition awards scholarships provided by local service clubs, special thematic awards, and concert engagements. The Audience Award, decided by spectator votes during the final concert, is one of the most anticipated moments and creates a deep bond between the Gavi community and the young musicians. The final evenings feature recitals by winners from previous editions and the awards ceremony concert.

An event of the International Musical Weeks

The Oltregiogo Piano Competition is part of the International Musical Weeks (Settimane Musicali Internazionali), a classical and contemporary music festival organized by the Pentagramma Association throughout the Alto Monferrato. For Gavi, world-famous primarily for its white wine, this is also an opportunity to establish itself as a small cultural capital, capable of blending enogastronomic tradition with high musical culture.