Virtuosos
Virtuosos Rules
The ‘VIRTUOSES’ Competition is open to pianists of all nationalities, aged up to 32 years on the registration deadline, Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM.
‘Virtuoses’ consists of 3 rounds:
1st Round – Preselection: auditions (video 15–20 minutes)
2nd Round – Semi-Final: public rounds (25–30 minutes in person)
3rd Round – Final: public recitals (55–60 minutes in person)
1. The Calendar
Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM Preselection
Deadline for the 1st step of online registration with video link submission
Friday, August 15, 2025 at the latest
Candidates are informed of preselection results via individual electronic notification
Sunday, August 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Deadline for the 2nd and final registration step with payment/receipt of entry fees and transport proof
Sunday, October 26, 2025
ARRIVAL of candidates. Drawing lots for candidates’ performance order (schedule will be communicated in due time).
Monday 27 – Tuesday 28 October 2025 Semi-Final, Jury rounds and deliberations.
Wednesday 29 – Thursday 30 October 2025 Final, Recitals and Jury deliberations.
Friday, October 31, 2025 Closing Ceremony / Award Ceremony
Saturday, November 1, 2025 Off Day
Sunday, November 2, 2025 evening Gala Concert / Marrakech–Benguerir
Monday, November 3, 2025 DEPARTURE of candidates
2. Registration in 2 Steps
2.1 Online registration implies full acceptance by the candidate of all clauses of this regulation and of the Competition’s musical program.
2.2 1st Step – Deadline Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM
All candidates must complete the online registration form specifying the link to a YouTube or Vimeo video recording (private link) and attach digital copies of the required documents:
– 2 recent high-resolution artistic photos
– Valid passport
– Curriculum Vitae or biography
The video must meet the following criteria:
– solo repertoire only – duration: 20 minutes – good technical and sound quality – showing the pianist’s hands and face – recorded in one take, no editing – dated 2024 or 2025
2.3 2nd Step – Deadline Sunday, August 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Candidates who pass the preselection must finalize their registration:
- By paying the non-refundable registration fee of €100 via bank transfer (transfer fees borne by the candidate)
The bank transfer must be made to: Association les Amitiés Musicales
Bank Name: BANQUE POPULAIRE – Dar Essalam Branch
Address: B5, Lot Dar Essalam – Souissi Rabat – Morocco
IBAN: MA64 1818 1021 2147 2666 0400 0209
SWIFT: BCPOMAMC
- By sending a digital copy of:
– The bank transfer receipt
– The travel proof
Final registration is only validated upon receipt of all required documents and the payment of registration fees.
3. The Rounds and Their Progress
3.1 The 3 Rounds
Preselection: 15–20 minute video
Semi-final: 25–30 minutes (in person)
Final: 55–60 minute recital (in person)
3.2 No changes in the required music program are accepted; in case of a wrong piece, the candidate is heard but not graded. Arrangements of works are not accepted: only original scores are valid. Memory performance is mandatory. If some pieces chosen by the candidates do not meet the required level, the Artistic Direction reserves the right to reject the application.
3.3 Candidates registered in ‘Virtuoses’ may not register in ‘Young Talents.’
3.4 Performance Order
The order of candidates’ performances is determined by a draw and physical presence is mandatory; this order will be respected in both semi-final and final recital rounds.
3.5 Practice
Each candidate may try the competition piano and daily practice sessions on study pianos will be organized.
3.6 The Grand Prize of H.R.H. Princess LALLA MERYEM/ 2nd and 3rd Virtuosity Prizes
Winners of this Grand Prize are not allowed to compete again. The notion of a tie is excluded for the Grand Prize, 2nd, and 3rd Virtuosity Prizes.
3.7 Final round participants will be awarded the title of finalist of the 15th International Piano Competition H.R.H. Princess Lalla Meryem.
3.8 Laureates must personally attend the Closing Ceremony on Friday, October 31, 2025 for the Award Ceremony; in case of absence, they automatically forfeit their award unless a valid reason is accepted by the Organizing Committee.
3.9 Results of the VIRTUOSES Final deliberations will be officially announced at the Closing Ceremony/Concert. Laureate finalists designated by the Jury will be invited to perform at the Closing Ceremony/Concert and Gala Concert. Laureate finalists are not entitled to any remuneration for these concerts or for concerts offered as prizes. The Competition shall not be held liable for offers made by its partners (prizes, concerts, scholarships, master classes…) and accepts no legal responsibility for any shortcomings.
3.10 By registering, candidates agree that the Association les Amitiés Musicales and its organizing partners of the International Piano Competition H.R.H. Princess Lalla Meryem may use the data generated by their registration for promotional purposes. All recordings, images and sounds, interviews, events, and concerts related to the Competition are the property of the Competition. They may be broadcast live and/or recorded, in full and/or in part, on radio, television, the internet, and other media worldwide without time limit or remuneration.
3.11 All participants waive any legal action against the Association les Amitiés Musicales and its partners regarding intellectual property of collected data. Participants consent to the usage conditions stated without challenging these rights.
3.12 The initially scheduled dates and times of the rounds may change: in such a case, affected candidates will be notified individually as soon as possible.
3.13 Candidates’ attire during the rounds and the Closing Ceremony must be appropriate. Any dress code or behavioral violation leads to immediate disqualification.
4. The Jury
4.1 The jury consists of pianists, pedagogues, composers, and international festival directors of various nationalities whose identities will only be revealed closer to the Competition.
4.2 The Jury reserves the right to interrupt some performances and to not award all prizes: its decisions are final. In case of a tie, the Jury President’s vote prevails.
4.3 Jury deliberations are governed by internal rules. Jurors will not vote for a candidate who has been their regular student during the past two years.
4.4 A feedback session will be held between the Jury and all VIRTUOSES semi-finalists not selected for the final, offering general comments and advice on their performances.
5. Accommodation / Travel
5.1 Travel costs are the responsibility of the candidates, including transportation to and from Moroccan train stations and airports.
5.2 For non-resident, adult, and unaccompanied candidates, hotel accommodation in half-board is covered by the Competition’s organization from October 26 to November 2, 2025 inclusive.
6. General Information
6.1 The Competition Organizing Committee reserves the right to modify any point of these regulations if necessary and will inform candidates accordingly.
6.2 The Committee reserves the right to cancel the 2025 edition if major circumstances require it. In this case, registration fees will be refunded.
Only the French text of the regulations is legally binding.
Only the French text of the regulations is legally binding.
Musical Program Virtuosos
1st Preselection Round (video): 15–20 minutes
2 or 3 works of your choice
– One work by J.S. BACH
– One or two works in a different style
2nd Round – Semi-Final (in person): 25–30 minutes
2 works of your choice
– A transcendental étude by LISZT or an étude by PAGANINI-LISZT
– A complete Sonata by BEETHOVEN
(excluding: op.2 no.1, op.10 no.1, op.13, op.14 no.1, 2, op.26, op.27 no.2, op.28, op.31 no.2, op.49 no.1,2, op.78, op.79, op.90, op.106)
3rd Round – Final (in person): 55–60 minutes
Recital: The program, composed of works in different styles, must include at least one work by a female composer.
N.B.: None of the works performed in one round may be repeated in the following rounds
Registration Form Virtuosos
Complete the form only after reading the Rules
1er Prix, 1er nommé
4.000,00 dhs
1er Prix, 2ème nommé
4.000,00 dhs
€10,000
Concert tour in Morocco in 2026
Alexandre Rey Colaço Prize: Concert tour in the Azores in 2026
7.000€
Concert in Morocco in 20265.000€
Concert in Morocco in 2026
3 Special Jury Prizes
€600/prize
2 Special Prizes ‘Best Contemporary Music Performer’
€600/prize
2 Special Prizes ‘VIRTUOSO Finalist’
€600/prize
Special Prize ‘Best Interpretation of a Work by a Female Composer’
€600
Special Prize ‘Best Moroccan VIRTUOSO’
€600
Special Prize ‘Best Performer of J.S. BACH’
€600
Special Prize ‘Best Performer of L.V. BEETHOVEN’
€600
Special Prize ‘Best Performer of F. CHOPIN’
€600
Special Prize ‘Best Performer of W.A. MOZART’
€600
Special Prize ‘Best Performer of M. RAVEL’
€600
Special Prize ‘Best Performer of R. SCHUMANN’
€600
Special Prize ‘Best Performer of S. RACHMANINOFF’
€600
Concerts in 2026
- Concert tour – Offered by the Association Les Amitiés Musicales (MOROCCO)
- Alexandre Rey Colaço Prize: Concert tour in the Azores in 2026 offered by the Regional Government of the Azores. (PORTUGAL)
- Concert – Offered by the Mafra Music Festival ‘Filipe de Sousa’ (PORTUGAL)
- Concert – Offered by the Guadalquivir International Piano Festival (Córdoba, SPAIN)
- Recital – Offered by Les Nuits Pianistiques d’Aix-en-Provence (FRANCE)
- Concert – Offered by the Gümüşlük International Music Festival (TURKEY)
