Quarta Corda
International Violin Competition "Premio Paganini"
Excerpt from: Regulation of the annual events commemorative of the “Genoa and Christopher Columbus’ Day” approved with the City Council resolution n. 22 March, 12th 2001, become effective on May, 2nd 2001 and lately changed with resolution n. 23/2003.
Art. 6 Institutes and Purpose
The "Paganini Prize", named after Niccolò Paganini, and the lesser prizes are awarded to the finalists of the Competition, which is announced by the Municipality of Genoa every two years, and given public notice in good time through an official statement by the City Council.
Violinists of any nationality are admitted to the Competition.
The organization of the events related to the Competition and the estimate of expenditure for its carrying out fall within the competence of the Municipal Administration Offices.
Art. 7 The Artistic Committee and its Functions
The Artistic Committee, appointed by the Major for a term of two years, as a rule, is made up of a maximum of 9 members. One of them is appointed President and another one Artistic Director.
The Artistic Committee is entrusted with the following tasks:
- To formulate a proposal for the Competition announcement and the musical programme, in accordance with the regulation rules;
- To propose to the Major the names of the Jury members;
- To suggest to the Major the amount of the prizes to be awarded;
- To examine all the documents provided by the applicants, in order to decide whether to admit them to the Competition;
- To express opinions on artistic issues, if requested by the Municipality of Genoa.
The President calls together and chairs the Artistic Committee, decides which items on the agenda are to be discussed, represents the Competition, takes care of the relations with the Municipality of Genoa, makes sure of a successful carrying out of the Competition, in particular, of co-operation with the Municipal Administration Offices.
The Artistic Director is entrusted with the artistic responsibility of the Competition. The Artistic Director can assign the role of Vice-Director to a Member of the Committee.
The Organizing Committees secretariat duties are performed by a Municipal employee, appointed by the Major with a resolution.
Art. 8 Carrying out of the Competition - Jury
The Competition is divided into rounds, in accordance with the programme enclosed in the Competition announcement brochure.
Violinist who are over 16 but have not turned 33 at the day set on the deadline and whose documents meet the conditions of admission are eligible to participate in the Competition.
Previous winners of the first prize ("Premio Paganini") cannot take part in the Competition again. Violinists who have already been admitted twice to the Final Round will be allowed to take part in the Competition only after two years from their last award.
The Jury is appointed by the Major and made up of distinguished Italian and foreign musicians, whose names will be made public after the deadline set in the application forms.
Art. 9 Amount of the Prizes
The first prize is indivisible. The amount of the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth prize is decided by a resolution of he City Council.
The Jury can resolve to tie for the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth prize with two or more participants.
The Jury can decide not to award the first prize.
In such a case, the Jury has the right to award a prize to the possible sixth and last finalist who otherwise would receive no award. The amount of the above-mentioned prize should not exceed the amount due to the sixth prize.
Participants will be offered free accommodation in the hotels or boarding houses selected by the Competition Secretariat, depending on the financial resources available to the Municipality of Genoa.
On October, 12th, on the occasion of the closing award ceremony of the Christopher Columbus Celebrations, the winner of the first prize will play the violin belonged to Nicolò Paganini, which is kept in Genoa, at Palazzo Tursi.