Concurso Internacional de Madrid (FIGUIM)
Madrid, Spain · Classical guitar competition
Concurso Internacional de Madrid (FIGUIM) is a classical-guitar competition in Madrid, Spain. It is held every year, usually in May.
- Location
- Madrid, Spain
- Type
- Competition
- Most recent edition
- 5 May 2026 – 14 June 2026
- Next edition
- Usually each May — dates to be announced
- Frequency
- Annual
- Eligibility / age
- Juvenil: 12 to 20 years old; Professional: 21 years old and up. No limit on the number of registrations in both categories.
- Entry fee
- Juvenil: €70 (includes participation in the contest and attendance as an auditor to all masterclasses); Profesional: €85 (includes participation in the contest and attendance as an auditor to all masterclasses)
- Prizes
- Juvenil Category: 1st Prize: Sulayr Lattice Guitar, Professional Sulayr guitar case, free course at the 2027 International Guitar Festival of Madrid (one class), free course at the José Tomás Villa de Petrer International Guitar Festival (two classes in intermediate level), D'Addario backpack with strings and accessories (valued at 250 euros), RC Strings pack of strings and accessories valued at 115 euros, 5 sets of Knobloch Strings, Savarez string pack, lot from Guitarras de Luthier store valued at 50 euros, 200€ Cuerdasguitarra.com Pack, accredited diploma
- 2nd Prize: free course at the 2027 International Guitar Festival of Madrid (one class), D'Addario Pack (valued at 120 euros), RC Strings pack of strings and accessories valued at 100 euros, 4 sets of Knobloch Strings, Savarez string pack, pack valued at 100€ from Cuerdasguitarra.com, accredited diploma
- 3rd Prize: D'Addario Pack (valued at 120 euros), RC Strings pack of strings and accessories, 4 sets of Knobloch Strings, Savarez string pack, accredited diploma. Professional Category: 1st Prize: €1500 in cash, concert at the 2027 International Guitar Festival of Madrid, concert within the framework of the 'Andrés Segovia' Guitar Competition in La Herradura, concert at the Ciudad de Mula International Guitar Festival, Sulayr Lattice Pro Guitar, Leona Cases brand case, free course at the 2027 International Guitar Festival of Madrid (one class), free course at the José Tomás Villa de Petrer International Guitar Festival (two classes in higher level), D'Addario backpack with strings and accessories (valued at 250 euros), 6 sets of Knobloch Strings, RC Strings pack of strings and accessories valued at 215 euros, Savarez string pack, lot from Guitarras de Luthier store valued at 150 euros, accredited diploma (Each concert will be paid and accommodation expenses will also be covered)
- 2nd Prize: €700 in cash, free course at the 2027 International Guitar Festival of Madrid (one class), D'Addario Pack (valued at 120 euros), 6 sets of Knobloch Strings, RC Strings pack of strings and accessories valued at 125 euros, Savarez string pack, accredited diploma
- 3rd Prize: €300 in cash, discount on the 2027 International Guitar Festival of Madrid course, D'Addario Pack (valued at 120 euros), 6 sets of Knobloch Strings, RC Strings pack of strings and accessories valued at 110 euros, Savarez string pack, accredited diploma.
- Special prizes
- Special Prize for the best interpretation of Spanish music (Professional Category): 6 sets of Knobloch Strings
- Special Prize for the best female performer (Professional Category): 6 sets of Knobloch Strings
- Audience Award RC Strings: a special set of RC Strings
Repertoire requirements
Juvenil Category: Online pre-selection: free choice repertoire between 5 and 8 minutes duration. Semifinal (June 9): free choice repertoire between 8 and 10 minutes duration (of music). Final (June 11): free choice repertoire between 12 and 15 minutes duration (of music) and of different eras and/or styles. Works performed in previous phases cannot be repeated. Professional Category: Online pre-selection: free choice repertoire between 8 and 10 minutes duration. Semifinal (June 10): free choice repertoire between 12 and 15 minutes duration (of music) and different styles or eras. Final (June 12): free choice repertoire of different styles or eras which must include a work by a Spanish composer from the 20th or 21st centuries. The total duration of the repertoire in this test must be between 20 and 25 minutes. Works performed in previous phases cannot be repeated.
-
Competition Round · 15-20 min
- Free choice program
Official website
https://festivalguitarramadrid.com/
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Check your repertoire matchVisiting? A guitarist's guide to Madrid
Photo: Francisco Anzola, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Madrid, Spain's vibrant capital, becomes a hub for classical guitar in late spring as it hosts the Concurso Internacional de Madrid (FIGUIM). This annual event, running from early May to mid-June, draws international talent to the heart of the Iberian Peninsula, offering a rich immersion into both the instrument's future and the city's deep cultural past. For the discerning enthusiast, Madrid offers more than just a competition; it provides a blend of live music, artistic heritage, and a lively Spanish experience.
Getting there
Madrid is exceptionally well-connected. Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) is a major international gateway, with direct flights from numerous global cities. From the airport, a metro line connects directly to the city center, and the Airport Express bus service offers another efficient option. Madrid's Atocha and Chamartín stations are key railway hubs, providing high-speed AVE connections across Spain. Within the city, an extensive metro system and public bus network make getting around straightforward, often negating the need for a rental car for central explorations.
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Spain runs on Type F sockets, standard across most of Europe, so you will only need a travel adapter if you are coming from the UK, Ireland, or beyond Europe.
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Where to stay
Madrid offers a wide array of accommodation, from historic hotels to modern boutique stays. For proximity to cultural sites and vibrant city life, consider staying in the central districts such as Sol, Huertas, La Latina, or Chueca. These areas offer easy walking access to museums, theaters, and dining, and are well-served by public transport for reaching competition venues. Booking ahead, especially during the competition dates, is advisable to secure preferred options.
What you'll hear
The Concurso Internacional de Madrid (FIGUIM) is an annual event showcasing emerging talent in classical guitar. While the specific repertoire requirements should be checked on the official website, competitors typically navigate a demanding program that tests both technical prowess and interpretive skill. The first prize includes a monetary award, a Sulayr guitar, and concert engagements, signaling the competition's role in launching careers.
Madrid itself holds significant, though sometimes less overt, musical heritage for guitar. The city was home to several pivotal figures in Spanish guitar history. Dionisio Aguado, a contemporary of Fernando Sor, was born and died in Madrid, and his two 1838 Paris-built guitars are preserved and displayed at the Museo Arqueológico Nacional, offering a tangible link to the instrument's past. Joaquín Turina, whose works often evoke Andalusian themes, also died and is buried in Madrid, at the Cementerio de La Almudena. Federico Moreno Torroba, celebrated for his zarzuelas and guitar compositions like Castillos de España, was a Madrid native, and the Teatro de la Zarzuela was his principal professional home.
The local table
Madrid's culinary scene is a delight, known for its traditional Castilian dishes and vibrant tapas culture. Must-try specialties include cocido madrileño, a hearty chickpea stew, and bocadillo de calamares, a fried calamari sandwich. For a classic experience, explore the Mercado de San Miguel near the Plaza Mayor, or delve into the tapas bars of La Latina. Don't miss a chance to savor cured Iberian ham or the local queso manchego. Madrid is also famous for its late dining hours, so be prepared for dinner to begin well after 9 PM.
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While you're there
Beyond the competition, Madrid offers a wealth of cultural and historical attractions. The "Golden Triangle of Art" along the Paseo del Prado encompasses three world-class museums: the Prado Museum (Old Masters), the Reina Sofía Museum (modern art, including Picasso's Guernica), and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Explore the grandeur of the Royal Palace of Madrid, stroll through the tranquil Buen Retiro Park, or experience the lively atmosphere of the Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol. For guitar enthusiasts, a pilgrimage to the Museo Arqueológico Nacional to see Dionisio Aguado's guitars is highly recommended. A rewarding day trip can be made to Aranjuez, about an hour south of Madrid by train. Here, the Royal Palace and Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site, served as the inspiration for Joaquín Rodrigo's iconic Concierto de Aranjuez. Rodrigo and his wife are also buried in the Municipal Cemetery of Aranjuez, where a cubist guitar sculpture marks his tomb.
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More guitar events in Spain: Alhambra Junior International Guitar Competition (CIGAJ) · Certamen Internacional Andrés Segovia · Certamen Miquel Llobet · CIGA - Alhambra International Guitar Competition · Concurso Ángel G. Piñero · Francisco Tárrega International Guitar Competition
Also in May: Altamira Gorizia International Guitar Competition · Heinsberg Guitar Festival and Competition · Jugend musiziert · Nilo Peraldo Bert International Competition · Printemps de la Guitare · San-in Guitar Competition
Listing data is compiled from official sources and can change each edition. Always confirm dates, deadlines and requirements on the organizer's official website before applying or booking travel. Spotted an error? See our terms or let us know via the About page.