Cuomo Foundation joins the applause and acclaim for the 32nd Roma International Piano Competition

The 32nd edition of the International Piano Competition "Roma" ended with a magnificent concert held in the historic Oratorio di San Francesco del Caravita in Rome on November 16th, 2023. Organized by the Cultural Association "Fryderyc Chopin" and principally funded by the Cuomo Foundation, this prestigious finalist gala event was attended by the foundations’ president Mrs. Maria Elena Cuomo and her fellow members of the foundation.

The first prize, known as the Chopin Prize, was awarded to 29-year-old Russian pianist Dina Ivanova for her exceptional performance of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Concerto No. 1. Conducted by Maestro Filippo Manci, the orchestra accompanying Ms Ivanova and the other two finalists showcased their own collective talent on this memorable evening.

An 18-year-old Italian pianist, Vera Cecino, received the second prize for her remarkable interpretation of Beethoven's Concerto No. 1 in C major. Ms Cecino also won the special "Alfredo and Maria Elena Cuomo" award, a heartfelt prize established by the foundation's president. Rongrong Guo, a 20-year- old Chinese pianist, was recognized with the third prize for her passionate and sensitive performance of Beethoven's Concerto No. 3 in C minor.

In the "Young Pianists" category, 17-year-old Polish pianist Joël Madalinksi-Artur stood out with his rendition of Chopin's Variazioni brillanti op.12. Meanwhile, Massimo Urban, an 18-year- old Italian pianist, earned acclaim in the "Emerging Pianists" category for his interpretation of Chopin's "Barcarole in F-sharp major op. 60."

These awards marked the end of ten days of rigorous evaluation of 99 young pianists, from 19 countries ,by an international jury chaired by Maestro Marcella Crudeli, who founded the Roma International Piano Competition through the Associazione Culturale "Fryderyk Chopin" in 1989. The International Piano Competition "Roma" is a highly regarded classical music event, receiving support from various organizations such as the UNESCO Club of Rome, the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of University and Research, the Regional Council of Lazio, the Capitol Assembly, and EPTA-Italy. The Cuomo Foundation has been the main sponsor of this significant and essential international showcase for up-and-coming young pianists since 2004.

Winners List

• Chopin Prize 1st place
  • Dina Ivanova (Russia)
• Chopin Prize 2nd place
  • Vera Cecino (Italy)
• Chopin Prize 3rd place
  
  • Rongrong Guo (China)
• Four Hands (Piano Duet) ex-aequo
  • Beatrice & Eleonora Dallagnese (Italy)
  • Eryk Koszela & Yehuda Prokopowicz (Polond)
• Piano Duet
  • Nao Kanemura & Yoshiaki Sato (Japan)
• Emerging pianist
  • Massimo Urban (Italie)
• Young pianist
  • Joel Madaliński-Artur (Polond)

© photos Roma International Piano Competition / Gaia Recchia