The Italian Harp Association has announced dates and repertoire for the 15th edition of its International Harp Contest in Italy Suoni d’Arpa. The competition will take place Aug. 25–30, 2026, at the Fondazione Scuola di Alto Perfezionamento Musicale, in the medieval town of Saluzzo in the Piedmont region. The contest is open to harpists of all nationalities, divided into three age categories (up to 15 years old, up to 20 years old, and no age limit). Applications must be submitted by email by June 30, 2026. Required repertoire is listed below; see the competition website for more details and regulations.
This edition is reserved exclusively for pedal harp soloists (rather than including a duo category as in past editions). Prizes include cash awards (including an award of €2000 for the best soloist), vouchers for music and strings, and opportunities such as recording CDs and presenting concerts and masterclasses. The jury will include harpists Nancy Allen, Alexander “Sasha” Boldachev, Jung Kwak, and Lorenzo Montenz, as well as violist Mattia Sismonda, president of the Ghedini Conservatory in Cuneo. Participants will have the opportunity to speak with the jury members after the competition is finished.
During the contest, the International Harp Festival Suoni d’Arpa will present harp recitals with free admission (including an opening concert by Boldachev). For more information, visit the Italian Harp Association’s website.
Category A (up to 15 years old)
- “Al tramonto del sole” by Daniele Garella
- Choose one movement from any of the Three Sonatas, op. 2, by Sophia Corri
- Free-choice program lasting max. 7 minutes
Category B (up to 20 years old)
- “L’Incantesimo di Dagda” by Arianna Ferrara Gennari, first prize winner of the First International Competition of Harp Composition “Daniele Garella”
- Free-choice program lasting max. 12 minutes
Category C (no age limit)
Preliminary stage:
- Choose one sonata by Domenico Scarlatti
- Free-choice program lasting max. 11 minutes (this program cannot be included in the second stage)
Second stage:
- Free-choice piece by an Italian composer or with an Italian subject
- Free-choice program lasting max. 11 minutes
Final stage:
- Free-choice program lasting max. 15 minutes that must include only pieces performed in the previous stages
