Michele Pittaluga International Guitar Competition
Alessandria, Italy · Classical guitar competition
- Location
- Alessandria, Italy
- Type
- Competition
- Event dates
- 21 September 2026
- Frequency
- annual
Repertoire requirements
ELIMINATORY ROUND From Banderklänge by J.G. Mertz: Tarantella SEMIFINAL ROUND Preludio al Atardecer by Joaquin Rodrigo (Special Prize Rodrigo) FINAL ROUND Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquin Rodrigo Fantasia Para un Gentilhombre by Joaquin Rodrigo (Special Prize Rodrigo)
Official website
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Check your repertoire matchVisiting? A guitarist's guide to Alessandria
Photo: Lampofinale, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Alessandria, a significant city in Piedmont, is known for its strategic location within Italy's "industrial triangle" and for hosting the Michele Pittaluga International Guitar Competition. This annual event draws the world's attention to the classical guitar, showcasing emerging talent and celebrating the instrument's rich repertoire. With its focus on the works of Joaquín Rodrigo, the competition offers a compelling reason to visit this historic Italian city, which serves as a gateway to the broader cultural and musical heritage of the region.
Getting there
Alessandria is a major railway hub, making train travel the most convenient way to arrive. Frequent TrenItalia services connect the city to Genoa, Milan, and Turin. For international visitors, Milan's Malpensa (MXP) or Linate (LIN) airports, or Genoa's Cristoforo Colombo Airport (GOA), offer the widest range of flights, with onward train journeys typically taking around an hour to an hour and a half to Alessandria's central railway station in Piazza Eugenio Curiel. The station is a short walk from the city center, making it easy to reach your accommodation.
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Italy uses Type L/F sockets, so pack a travel adapter for your tuner and chargers.
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Where to stay
As Alessandria is a sizable city, you will find a range of accommodation options. Staying within the city center provides easy access to the competition venues and local attractions on foot. For those seeking a more luxurious or secluded experience, the surrounding province offers charming historic residences. Consider the impressive Castello di Oviglio, situated between the Monferrato and Langhe regions, or Palazzo Paleologi in Lu for a quiet retreat. Ca Bianca Relais Melazzo, a nineteenth-century farmhouse, provides a cosy bed and breakfast with a restaurant service. Booking ahead, especially during the competition, is advisable.
What you'll hear
The Michele Pittaluga International Guitar Competition is a renowned annual event that attracts top young guitarists globally. The repertoire for the 2026 competition includes J.G. Mertz's Tarantella from Banderklänge in the eliminatory round, followed by Joaquín Rodrigo's Preludio al Atardecer in the semifinal. The final round is a grand affair, where finalists perform one of Rodrigo's iconic concertos, either the Concierto de Aranjuez or the Fantasia Para un Gentilhombre, with orchestra. This focus on Rodrigo's work makes the final a highlight for any classical guitar enthusiast.
Beyond the competition, Alessandria's proximity to Genoa, just 50 kilometres away, places you near the birthplace of Niccolò Paganini, the legendary violinist, guitarist, and composer. While his most famous instrument was the violin, Paganini was also a master of the guitar, considering it his "constant companion." In Genoa, the Paganini Rooms at Palazzo Tursi (part of the Musei di Strada Nuova) house his prized violin "Il Cannone" and two of his guitars, along with autograph scores, offering a significant pilgrimage for any string instrument lover. Though his birthplace house is gone, a plaque marks the spot in Giardini di Baltimora, and his final resting place is in Parma's Cimitero Monumentale della Villetta, a journey further afield but deeply rewarding for devotees.
If you play as well as listen, explore Mauro Giuliani, the great Italian guitar composer in our repertoire finder, where you can hear each piece and find the sheet music.
The local table
Piedmontese cuisine is rich and varied, and Alessandria offers its own local specialities. Seek out Rabatons à la lisandreina, a type of gnocchi made with spinach and cheese, or Pollo alla marengo, a chicken dish with a historical connection to Napoleon's victory. For dessert, try Amaretti, small almond cookies, or Baci di dama, delicate cookies with chocolate and chestnuts. The city also boasts excellent ice cream; Cercenà, located in Piazzetta della Lega Lombarda, is a long-standing institution known for its homemade ice cream, sorbetto, and granita.
Fancy a guided taste? Food and wine tours in Alessandria →
While you're there
Between competition rounds, Alessandria offers a blend of history and local charm. Explore the Marengo Battle Museum, commemorating Napoleon's decisive victory, or visit the grand Alessandria Cathedral and the impressive Citadelle Militaire. Palazzo Ghilini, an eighteenth-century Baroque palace, is also worth seeing. For shopping, Corso Roma is the main street, where you can find the famous Borsalino hat store, a legacy of the city's hat manufacturing heritage.
Consider several rewarding day trips. Acqui Terme, a beautiful Roman town in the province, is famous for its hot sulphur springs and ancient baths. For a deep dive into guitar history, a visit to Genoa, just 50 kilometres away, is essential to explore the Paganini Rooms at Palazzo Tursi and see his instruments. Further afield, Parma holds Paganini's tomb in the Cimitero Monumentale della Villetta. Alessandria also sits within easy reach of Turin and Milan, offering opportunities to experience two of Italy's major cultural and economic centers. The Monferrato and Langhe regions, renowned for their wine and scenic landscapes, are also nearby for leisurely drives and tastings.
Tours, tickets and day trips in Alessandria →
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This map centers on Alessandria in general, so the venue may be elsewhere in town. Check the competition's official website before booking.
More guitar events in Italy: Altamira Gorizia International Guitar Competition · Concorso Città di Fiuggi · Concorso Emilio Pujol · Concorso Fernando Sor · Concorso Internazionale Rovere d'Oro · Concorso Riviera Etrusca
Also in September: Cawsand Bay Guitar Festival · Denver Guitar Festival - Tuason Competition · Edmonton Guitar Seminar · Tampere Guitar Festival & International Competition
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