by Maximiliano Crocamo
Inteview: Roberto Dipiazza, Mayor of Trieste; Fabio Scoccimarro, FVG Councilor for the Environment, Energy and Sustainable Development
From Sept. 12 to 16, 42 young musicians from nine countries will compete in the 23rd Premio Trio di Trieste, one of the world’s leading chamber music competitions, as the event celebrates its 30th anniversary.
For five days in September, Trieste will become an international stage for chamber music as it welcomes finalists from across Europe and Asia to compete in the 23rd Premio Trio di Trieste, a competition widely regarded as one of the most prestigious in its field.
The 2026 edition carries special significance: it marks 30 years since the prize was founded in 1996, honoring the legacy of the legendary Trio di Trieste while continuing its mission of launching the careers of emerging chamber ensembles.
Announced at Palazzo Gopcevich, the competition will feature 15 ensembles selected from a record pool of 50 applicants representing 29 countries. The finalists, all musicians under the age of 32, include duos, piano trios and piano quartets from Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Ireland, France, Japan, China, Poland and Italy, with Italian ensembles making up six of the finalists.
A citywide celebration of chamber music
The competition unfolds across two of Trieste’s principal cultural venues. Preliminary rounds will take place in the Sala Tartini of the Giuseppe Tartini Conservatory, followed by semifinal and final performances at Teatro Miela. The concluding winners’ concert on Sept. 16 will be open to the public.
Artistic director Fedra Florit described the event as more than a contest, calling it a tribute to the interpretative tradition established by the original Trio di Trieste. Since its inception, the biennial competition has welcomed more than 1,800 young musicians from around the world.
The international jury will be led by violinist and conductor Pavel Berman, joined by distinguished performers and educators including Simone Gramaglia, Márta Gulyás, Johannes Meissl, Miloš Mlejnik, Dirk Mommertz and Danusha Waskiewicz.
More than prize money
Beyond its financial awards, the Premio Trio di Trieste is notable for its emphasis on professional development. The first-prize winner will receive €10,000, an additional €6,000 special award, and a concert tour comprising 22 engagements with leading Italian musical institutions, including performances organized by the Accademia Chigiana in Siena, the Società dei Concerti in Milan and Bologna Festival.
Additional prizes recognize outstanding performances of works by Franz Schubert, the best piano quartet, the strongest ensemble from Central European Initiative member states and the most promising finalists selected by conservatory students through the Young Award.
Remembering Giorgio Rossi
During the presentation, Mayor Roberto Dipiazza opened the event by remembering the late city councilor Giorgio Rossi, a longtime advocate for Trieste’s cultural initiatives and a supporter of the competition. Dipiazza linked the city’s continued investment in chamber music with broader efforts to transform Porto Vecchio into a major international cultural district, describing the redevelopment as part of Rossi’s vision for Trieste’s future.
As summer gives way to autumn, the Premio Trio di Trieste will once again place the city at the center of the international chamber music world, bringing together the next generation of performers in a competition where artistic opportunity may prove as valuable as victory itself.
