ciga 2026

17th Alhambra International Guitar Competition – CIGA
June 17–20, 2026, Valencia

RULES

Venue and Dates of the Competition
The Competition will take place at CaixaForum Valencia, Ágora Building of the City of Arts and Sciences, from June 17 to 20, and will be inaugurated at the Joan Plaça Auditorium of the Botánico in Valencia. All guitarists of any nationality who are no older than 36 years as of May 22, 2026 (inclusive) may participate. Those who have previously won First Prize are not eligible to enter.

Jury
The Jury will be composed of prestigious personalities from the guitar world. The Jury reserves the right to interrupt a participant’s performance.

Performance and Repertoire
All works must be performed from memory, except for the commissioned work in the Final Session: Preludio de Torre Quebrada by José Luis Turina, which may be performed with the score. Works may not be repeated across different rounds.

Recording and Broadcasting
Performances may be recorded and disseminated via any technical or audiovisual medium, including social media and Alhambra Guitars websites. Participants authorize this use and waive any related rights.

Rounds and Schedule
The Competition consists of three rounds: Preliminary (online), Semifinal, and Final*.

• Preliminary Round: Videos must be submitted online by May 22, 2026. Results will be published publicly in the first week of June.

• Semifinal and Final: Will be held at CaixaForum Valencia on June 18 and 19, respectively.

• Closing Ceremony and Awards: June 20 at CaixaForum Valencia.

Schedules for each round will be announced in due course.
Venues and times may vary for optimal management of the CIGA.

Accreditation and Inauguration
On June 17, participants must attend the inauguration at the Joan Plaça Auditorium of the Botanical Garden of Valencia (Calle de Quart 80, www.jardibotanic.org) at 18:30. Participants must present valid identification (ID or passport). Attendance is mandatory; failure to arrive at the scheduled time will result in exclusion.

ROUND 1 – Preliminary (Online)

The round will be conducted online. Participants must submit the download link when completing the registration form on the website (www.fundacionalhambraguitarras.org).

Requirements for the video:

• Original and recorded exclusively for the 17th CIGA edition.

• No cuts or interruptions.

• The guitarist must introduce themselves, stating their name, recording date, purpose [Alhambra International Guitar Competition 2026], and works to be performed.

• Edited or manipulated audio will not be accepted.

Repertoire for this round: Humorada by Paquita Madriguera (1900–1965) and a study of choice from Heitor Villa-Lobos’ Doce Estudios (1887–1959).

Submission deadline: May 22, 2026, 23:59 GMT.

All semifinalists will be provided accommodation at a hotel by the Foundation, check-in June 17, check-out June 21.

ROUND 2 – Semifinal

Date: June 18, morning and afternoon, at CaixaForum Valencia (Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències, C/ Eduardo Primo Yúfera, 1A, www.caixaforum.org).

• Performance order: alphabetical; the same order will be maintained throughout the competition.

• Required work: Homenaje pour le Tombeau de Claude Debussy by Manuel de Falla (1876–1946).

• Free-choice works of various styles are permitted.

• Maximum duration: 30 minutes.

• Participants must provide three copies of each free-choice work for the Jury.

ROUND 3 – Final

Date: June 19, starting at 18:00, at CaixaForum Valencia.

• Required work: Tiento Antiguo by Joaquín Rodrigo (1901–1999).

• Free-choice works of various styles.

• To compete for the Alhambra Prize for New Spanish Musical Creation, finalists must perform the commissioned work: Preludio de Torre Quebrada by José Luis Turina (1952). Available by request from Piles Publishing.

• Maximum duration: 35 minutes.

• Three copies of each free-choice work must be provided.

The Jury’s decision will be read after deliberation; awards will be presented the following day at the Closing Ceremony.

CLOSING CEREMONY AND AWARDS

Date: Saturday, June 20, at CaixaForum Valencia (time TBD).

• The first prize winner will perform selected pieces as part of the closing of the Competition.

• Attendance is mandatory for all finalists and semifinalists; non-attendance results in disqualification.

PARTICIPANT OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER RULES

• Semifinalists and finalists must provide sufficient copies of all free-choice scores; the organization will not make photocopies.

• Non-attendance at the awards ceremony or other required activities will result in loss of prizes and hotel accommodations.

• Semifinalists not advancing to the final must visit Alhambra Guitars facilities as scheduled.

• Dress code for the ceremony: formal or cocktail.

APPLICATION AND REGISTRATION

Applications must be submitted through the online form: www.fundacionalhambraguitarras.org

For technical queries or availability of competition works, contact the Artistic Director via email.

Registration Deadline: May 22, 2026, 23:59 GMT.
Registration Fee: €50, payable via bank transfer; proof of payment must be attached in the online form.

Bank Details:
IBAN: ES56 0081 5122 1000 0131 4233
SWIFT/BIC: BSABESBBXXX
Banco Sabadell, Avda. Oscar Esplá 37, E-03007 Alicante, Spain

PRIZES*

First Prize – Alhambra International Guitar Prize:

• €15,000

• CD recording: includes commissioned work Preludio de Torre Quebrada, performed on an Alhambra Exclusive Series concert guitar provided by the organization. Recording within 6 months post-competition.

• Exclusive artistic promotion: 2 concerts with €1,000 fee each.

Second Prize: €4,000 and scholarship to attend the Alicante Guitar Master 2027 (€6,000 value).

Third Prize: €2,000

Alhambra Prize for New Spanish Musical Creation: €2,500 – requires performance of Preludio de Torre Quebrada in the Final.

Audience Prize: €1,000

Finalists: Certificate of participation

Promotion of Winners: Performances may be recorded and disseminated via social media and Alhambra websites; participants waive any related rights. Winners must include “Alhambra Artist” branding in their promotional channels.

*Prizes are subject to Spanish tax laws; winners must provide documentation. Payments via bank transfer within one month of the jury’s decision.

Shared Prizes: May be awarded at the Jury’s discretion, except the Alhambra Prize for New Spanish Musical Creation. The Jury may also withhold any prize.

Schedule Variations: The Jury may adjust performance times.
Jury Decision: Final and binding. By registering, participants accept all rules.
Liability: The organization is not responsible for any damages or losses incurred during the Competition.

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