The Association I Solisti Aquilanipresented on Wednesday, February 4, at 10:30 a.m. at the City Hall of L’Aquila—Palazzo Margherita the first edition of the Vittorio Antonellini International Conducting Competition — the Vittorio Antonellini International Conducting Competition. The initiative was presented by the mayor Pierluigi Biondi, and, on behalf of the Solisti Aquilani, by President Silvia Gauzolino and artistic director Maurizio Cocciolito. The deputy mayor was also in attendance Raffaele Daniele, representatives of Abruzzo’s leading musical institutions, including Ettore Pellegrino, artistic director of the Abruzzo Symphony Orchestra, and, representing the Soloists, Vice President Walter Capezzali, and board members Paola D’Ascanio and Elisabetta Leone.
The international competition is part of the program of events for L’Aquila, Italian Capital of Culture 2026.
The dedication pays tribute to the founder of the Solisti Aquilani, conductor Vittorio Antonellini, a leading figure in the cultural and musical scene of L’Aquila and the entire Abruzzo region. The Solisti Aquilanimade their debut at the auditorium of the 16th-century castle in L’Aquila on April 21, 1968, initially operating under the name “Abruzzese Chamber Ensemble of the L’Aquila Concert Society.”
Statements
“This international competition is a fitting tribute to a figure who has profoundly shaped the cultural history of our city,” says the mayor Pierluigi Biondi, “Maestro Antonellini founded the Solisti Aquilani, and through his vision, he also brought the name of L’Aquila to the world’s most prestigious festivals, forging a recognizable and authoritative musical identity. It is thanks to figures like him that today we can speak of a solid tradition and an international reputation. The inclusion of the Solisti Aquilani’s activities in the Italian Capital of Culture program is fully in line with the spirit of our project ‘One Territory, a Thousand Capitals’: a vision that highlights the widespread energy, expertise, and cultural institutions that make this region strong. Welcoming over one hundred young conductors from around the world this September means investing in talent, strengthening the city’s international profile, and consolidating the path of cultural renewal that has led us to become the Italian Capital of Culture 2026. Music, like culture as a whole, remains our best calling card for showcasing a city that cherishes its past and looks resolutely toward the future.”
“With the first edition of the contest,” adds the president Silvia Gauzolino, “the I Solisti Aquilani association is launching a project of great artistic and cultural value, designed to provide concrete support to the new generation of conductors. The competition is dedicated to the memory of Vittorio Antonellini, the founder and a central figure in our history, whose visionary spirit and commitment to young people continue to inspire our work. L’Aquila thus becomes, once again, a hub for musical production and international exchange, thanks to collaboration with prestigious Italian and European institutions and the presence of a jury of the highest caliber. “This competition is not merely a contest but a journey of growth, training, and visibility, capable of offering real professional opportunities to participants and strengthening the role of the city and the Abruzzo region in the contemporary music scene.”
“There are moments when the past and the future come together in a perfect embrace. I feel deeply moved,” he concludes Maurizio Cocciolito, artistic director of the Solisti Aquilani, “in announcing that, as part of the program for L’Aquila, Capital of Culture 2026, we will be paying a grand tribute to Maestro Vittorio Antonellini. We wanted to organize an international competition for conductors that would reflect the grandeur of his vision. Having Maestro Salvatore Accardo lead the jury, alongside representatives from the most prestigious Italian and European chamber orchestras, makes this event an unmissable highlight for our country’s cultural life. We remember the man, the founder, the cultural visionary. But above all, we continue to keep his art and his teachings alive.”
The competition, taking place September 14–19 in the Park’s auditorium, aims to discover and promote young conducting talents, offering them a unique opportunity to be evaluated by a jury of the highest caliber and to perform before an international audience. Between 140 and 150 young conductors from around the world are expected to participate, making the event a melting pot of cultures and musical approaches.
The distinguished jury chaired by Salvatore Accardo
To ensure the prestige and credibility of the competition, the jury will be composed of leading figures from the Italian and international music scenes. The artistic directors of the Solisti Veneti will be present ( Giuliano Carella), the Virtuosi Italiani (Alberto Martini), the Camerata Ducale of Vercelli (Guido Rimonda) by the Solisti Aquilani (Maurizio Cocciolito), as well as the distinguished members of the Musici (Claudio Buccarella), the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields (Andrew Marriner) and the Vienna Chamber Orchestra (Jan Willem de Vriend). The Maestro will chair the committee Salvatore Accardo, an icon of classical music and world-renowned violinist, lending the event an added air of exceptional prestige.
