34th Rome International Piano Competition – Supported by the Cuomo Foundation

An Evening in Memory of Mr Alfredo Cuomo

The 34th “Roma” International Piano Competition concluded on November 15th with the prize-giving ceremony and the final gala concert held at the impressive and striking Palazzo dei Congressi in Rome’s EUR district. The Italian pianist Marco Ottaviani, aged 24, was awarded the Grand Prix Chopin, first prize. Ottaviani’s continued success follows an impressive year of competition performances, including wins at the Stefano Marizza Prize in Trieste, the Palma d’Oro in Finale Ligure and the Globe the World International Piano Competition in South Korea.

Over two weeks, nearly seventy participants in five categories performed and competed before an international jury in the cloisters of the historical church of San Giovanni Battista dei Genovesi in Rome’s Trastevere district. The semi-finalists then moved to the auditorium of the Palazzo dei Congressi to perform in the final stages of the competition.

This years’ evening gala concert was held in honour of Mr Alfredo Cuomo (1933–2009), the founder of the Cuomo Foundation, whose continuous annual sponsorship and collaboration with the competition since 2004 has been significant to its progressive development. Two decades later, this partnership continues to be crucial, positioning the “Roma” Competition as a premier classical musical event in the capital and the sole international piano competition hosted by the municipality of Rome.

Following the prize-giving ceremony, the event continued with the screening of a short documentary, In Memory of Alfredo Cuomo, a film tribute by Mr Sandy Lieberson CBE, a close long-time friend. The film highlights Mr Cuomo’s life as a producer, photographer, and art connoisseur, as well as how his philanthropy, through the Cuomo Foundation, has had a lasting impact globally.

The evening concluded with an impressive and emotional final concert performed by the Chopin prize winner, Marco Ottaviani.

“I can’t imagine a better way to end this incredibly intense period than by winning the Chopin Roma Competition. Playing Beethoven’s First Piano Concerto twice in one day in this amazing auditorium was truly special. I gave everything I had, even though I arrived exhausted and full of tension and stress, as always in competitions. But I will remember every moment forever! Thank you to all the organizers, jury members, conductor Filippo Manci, the orchestra, the Cuomo Foundation and my wonderful teachers. 

Thank you to everyone. “ 

Marco Ottaviani-winner of Grand Prix Chopin and Emerging Artist -2025

Finalist Prize Winners — 2025 Edition

Two Pianos Duo Section

Jan Vorrath & Lisa-Marie Schneider

Four Hands Duo Section

Małgorzata Kruczek-Michalska & Marian Michalski

Emerging Pianist Section

Marco Ottaviani

Young Pianist Section

Gabriella Russo

Grand Prix Chopin

First Prize : Marco Ottaviani

Second Prize : Alina Shmakova

Third Prize : Arisa Fujisawa