Premio Paganini has signed an important agreement with the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), with the aim of promoting the Competition in the United States

The prestigious Foundation has shown great interest in the success of the project to renew and relaunch the Competition. Focusing on the historic Italian-American friendship and the fruitful cultural exchange between the two countries, the agreement signed by Giovanni Panebianco, President of Premio Paganini, Gloria Piaggio, Director of the Municipality’s cultural policies, and Robert Allegrini, President of NIAF, aims to help disseminate the message of the Competition through concerts featuring performances by the finalists in Chicago, New York and Philadelphia. But also through social and cultural initiatives and events, as well as the creation of editorial products aimed, in particular, at attracting the attention of young people. Robert Allegrini also accepted the invitation to receive the title of Paganini Ambassador. The prestigious recognition was awarded during a concert in Rome, in the splendid setting of Palazzo Ruspoli, where the young Jingzhi Zhang on the violin, second place in the 57th edition of the Competition in 2023, and the famous pianist Gile Bae performed together for the first time.

“The agreement marks a decisive step for the Premio Paganini Competition which, thanks to this collaboration with NIAF, will be able to further consolidate its internationalisation objectives. The new Artistic Director, Nicola Bruzzo, as well as the new President of the Jury, the famous Maestro Uto Ughi will, in fact, contribute greatly to the realisation of these objectives.” – Giovanni Panebianco commented. “I am grateful to Robert Allegrini for the sensitivity and attention shown and also for having agreed to be part of the Paganini Ambassadors. We will get to work immediately to implement the agreement already during the events that the Carlo Felice Theatre, with Superintendent Claudio Orazi, is planning in October in New York, where we will certainly return for the pre-selections of the 58th edition of the Competition. I would like to extend a special thank you to the friends of the NIAF and to all those who made this result possible, in particular to Enrico De Barbieri, involved on the front line in the dual role of Paganini Ambassador and member of the Committee” – Giovanni Panebianco concluded.

“A truly important and promising agreement, never signed before, which will push Paganini and Genoa overseas. After Paris, Madrid and London, our internationalisation horizons expand further and cross the Atlantic, in synergy with those of the Carlo Felice Theatre, another of Genoa’s excellences. We will continue to work in this sense, for young violin talents all over the world, for Paganini and for our city which proudly preserves his precious legacy” – Barbara Grosso commented.

“NIAF is proud and honoured by its connection with Premio Paganini, which reflects both its strong commitment to the City of Genoa and the desire to fulfil its mission of celebrating Italian culture in the United States by promoting Italy’s unique musical heritage. Paganini’s repertoire is an important element of that heritage, continuing to enrich the world with its sublime beauty. We look forward to bringing greater success to this prestigious Competition, helping to advertise and support its activities throughout North America” – Robert Allegrini commented.