The “Giovan Battista Viotti” International Music Competition is one of the oldest musical contests dedicated to young artists. Established in 1950, this year it celebrates its 70th anniversary; it is the contest that boasts the largest number of editions in the world, having been celebrated every year, without any interruption.
In 1957, together with other bodies, the Viotti Competition founded the World Federation of International Music Competitions / Fédération Mondiale des Concours Internationaux de Musique in Geneva, which gathers and regulates the most important international competitions.
The competition takes place every year and alternates Piano and Voice. Over the years it has selected over 10 thousand artists from more than 100 countries; it hosted more than 500 internationally renowned members of the jury; it launched the careers of those who have become the greatest artists of the world music scene.
The organizer of the competition is the Società del Quartetto di Vercelli, founded by Joseph Robbone, who had the idea of creating an annual event for those musicians who wished to pursue a high quality musical career. Today the Università del Piemonte Orientale has joined the Società del Quartetto in the organization together with the other two historical partners: the Comune di Vercelli and the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Vercelli.