Italy / Culture

29 September - 5 October 2024

The Rina Sala Gallo Monza International Piano Competition is one of the leading piano competitions worldwide and the oldest Italian piano contest. Founded in 1947 by the renowned pianist from Monza alongside Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, it became a biennial event named after her in 1970, with the aim of supporting young piano talents during a crucial phase of their careers.

The event also serves as an important cultural moment for the city of Monza, the province where Italy’s headquarters are located, aiming to engage the local community, especially younger generations, with classical music. As part of our commitment to the communities that host us, we are very proud to have supported the 27th edition of the competition, held from 29 September to 5 October at the Teatro Manzoni and the Villa Reale.

The competition featured 21 young pianists, selected from over 100 applications worldwide, culminating in an extraordinary evening of music where the three finalists performed with the Milan Symphony Orchestra at the Teatro Manzoni.

The winner of this edition was virtuoso Konstantin Emelyanov, born in 1994, who performed Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30, in the final round.

Moreover, the philanthropic mission of the Rina Sala Gallo Musical Association extends beyond organising the piano competition, promoting free initiatives for the cultural and social development of the community. Key objectives include social inclusion and the education of younger generations, as evidenced by collaborations with the Bartolomeo Zucchi Classical and Music High School and the “La Meridiana” Cooperative, which brings music to the “Paese Ritrovato”, a village for Alzheimer's patients.