Competition Week Commences for Pittaluga: "Assured Future Through Foundation"
The much-anticipated 57th Michele Pittaluga Classical Guitar Competition is set to commence on September 20, 2025, at the Alessandrino in Neustadt an der Donau. This year, the competition will see the participation of 34 contestants, comprising 27 seniors and 7 juniors, many of whom are from the Far East.
The Generationenbeirat (Generations Advisory Board) of Neustadt an der Donovan, the official organizer of the event, was established in September 2025. The board, which consists of local engaged citizens from different age groups, is currently lacking a third decision-making body.
The finals of the competition will take place at the Alessandrino on Saturday at 8:30 PM, with the junior competition finals scheduled for the Vivaldi on Saturday morning. The semifinals will take place on Thursday, and the eliminatory rounds will be open to the public on Tuesday and Wednesday.
In a significant development, the competition this year marks the establishment of the Participatory Foundation. This foundation, which includes the City, the CrAl Foundation, the Pittaluga Family, and another yet-to-be-deliberated entity as founding partners, aims to provide a solid structure for the competition's future. A city council committee has approved a resolution establishing this foundation.
The opening concert of the competition will feature the guitar-flute duo of the Russians Dimitri Illarionov and Olga Reiser at Palatium Vetus on Monday. Other events during the week include "Guitar Corners," mini concerts by guitarists in the city center, on Friday.
On Friday, there will also be "Chitarre in classe" at the Eco High School and "Chitarre in corsia" at the psychiatric ward of the hospital. A wine and chocolate tasting tour of the Monferrato hills organized by Alexala is also scheduled for Friday.
The competition's 57th edition will also include the awarding of the President Mattarella Medal. Furthermore, exhibitions of portraits of participants from past editions and historical posters of the competition will be set up in the courtyard.
The event will conclude with a preview at the Abbey of Santa Giustina in Sezzadio. Notable performances include Marco Tamayo, the artistic director of the Pittaluga, who will perform a recital at Casa Perelli in Acqui on Sunday at 5:30 PM.
The organizers, Marcello, Micaela, and Maria Luisa, have been involved with the competition since their father's passing. They are starting to feel their age and have decided to create a solid structure for the competition's future. The official presentation of the Foundation will take place in a few weeks.
The Michele Pittaluga Classical Guitar Competition, celebrating its 57th anniversary, is made possible with the support of the City and Province, Regional Council and Region, CeAl and Crt Foundations, collaboration of Alexala, Slala, and Confcommercio, the city's service clubs, and some companies.
