L’AQUILA, SEPTEMBER 14-19, 2026

The I Solisti Aquilani Chamber Orchestra, in collaboration with I Musici, I Solisti Veneti, I Virtuosi Italiani, the Camerata Ducale di Vercelli, Wiener KammerOrchester, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Associazione Artes and CIDIM, presents the first edition of the “Vittorio Antonellini” International Conducting Competition.

The competition consists of five (6) days of rehearsals, preceded by an eliminatory phase in which the candidates will be judged on audio/video recordings.

All live phases of the competition will be performed with the I Solisti Aquilani Orchestra in L’Aquila. 

The jury is chaired by Maestro Salvatore Accardo.

Candidates may submit their applications from Wednesday February the 4th, 2026, to Sunday July 12, 2026. The candidates admitted to the live phase will be notified by July 31, 2026.

As an international competition aimed at helping emerging conductors develop their careers, the “Vittorio Antonellini” International Competition provides numerous opportunities for winners and significant media exposure for all admitted candidates.

The prizes consist of € 8.500 scholarship and concerts with the following institutions: I Solisti Aquilani, I Solisti Veneti, I Virtuosi Italiani, the Camerata Ducale di Vercelli and the Wiener KammerOrchester.

The diverse backgrounds and prestige of the personalities and institutions involved guarantees a wide range of opportunities for participants, a unique feature in the current panorama of conducting competitions.

1a. The competition is open to musicians of all nationalities, genders, born after February the 1st 1987.

1b. The competition is structured in two phases: PRELIMINARY and FINAL.

1c. The PRELIMINARY PHASE begins on February the 4th,  2026, and ends on July the 12th, 2026. During this phase, the jury will evaluate the candidates’ applications.

1d. The FINAL PHASE will be held from September 14 to 19, 2025, in L’Aquila, at the Auditorium del Parco.

1e. To register, please complete the online form on the competition website and attach all required documents.

2a. Candidates must make two videos available to the jury (details at the bottom of the page) and submit their updated CV.

2b. Candidates selected to participate in the FINAL PHASE will be contacted by July 31, 2026. Their names will also be published on the competition website and social media.

3a. The FINAL PHASE consists in four parts, in which the candidates will conduct I Solisti Aquilani according to the program written below.
3b. Each candidate may decide whether to run through or rehearse.
3c. The jury has the right to interrupt at anymomen.
3d. All admitted candidates will receive a diploma certifying their admission to the FINAL STAGE.
3e. The final stage will take place at the Auditorium del Parco, Viale delle Medaglie d’Oro, L’Aquila.

7a. Candidates admitted to the FINAL PHASE of the competition will receive an Official Diploma.

7b. Representatives of international artistic agencies and specialized journalists will be invited to be present during all phases of the competition.

9a. The competition is a media event that will be recorded and broadcast live on television, radio, and any other media the organization deems useful for promoting the event.

9b. By registering, participants authorize the organization to use their image, whether in photographs, audio/video, which may be used on television, radio, and other media (internet, etc.).

9c. By registering, entrants also authorize the organization to use their name and image for press publications related to the competition.

9d. Entrants must be available for interviews, photo shoots, and other activities related to the media aspect of the competition.

10a. The jury’s decisions are final and not subject to appeal; jury members are not required to provide justifications for their decisions to participants.

10b. If there are former students (up to two years prior), assistants (currently employed), or relatives of any of the jurors, those jurors will not vote for that contestant.

10c. The organizers will ensure fairness in the judging and will consider any reasonable complaints from participants; any complaints must be submitted in writing.

10d. Registration and participation fees will not be refunded for any reason, except cancellation of the competition itself.

10e. The competition will be open to the public from the First Round of the FINAL PHASE.

10f. Sharing comments, images, and thoughts on social media is encouraged; audio or video recordings are not permitted.

10g. In the event of any dispute, Italian text of this announcement shall prevail. The court of jurisdiction is that of L’Aquila.

A. The purpose of the videos is to showcase the candidate’s skills to the jury, so the conductor must be clearly visible, and a frontal shot is preferable;

B. Videos featuring any instrumental and/or vocal ensemble are permitted;

C. Candidates may provide links to videos featuring performances of pieces from any historical period; the jury will view no more than two videos; if candidates submit more than two, only the first two will be considered;

D. It is possible to submit two movements or parts of the same piece;

E. The videos must be available in streaming mode (no download required) and must be viewable without any restrictions;

F. Candidates must submit a link for each video;

G. The jury will view all submitted videos but is not required to view them in their entirety;