International Lutherie Competition 2026: 3rd Edition Dedicated to the Viola
From Wednesday 14 to Sunday 18 January 2026 at the Philharmonie de Paris
Innovation and transmission: lutherie of today and tomorrow in the spotlight
Scheduled to run alongside the String Quartet Biennale, the International Stringed Instrument Making Competition is a co-production between the Musée de la Musique - Philharmonie de Paris and Talents & Violon'celles. Keeping with the tradition of major international competitions, the Competition is a unique platform that celebrates excellence in the craft of stringed instrument making and promotes the transmission of expertise.
The Competition aims to foster a fruitful dynamic between instrument making, live music, and heritage. It seeks to:
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Promote professional luthiers and schools around the world.
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Raise public interest in prestigious instrument making.
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Showcase the sound of the instrument, in particular through the acoustic test carried out by musicians from the Orchestre de Paris.
The competition is open to two categories: “Talents of Tomorrow” for students of instrument making and “Talents of Today” for professional instrument makers.
This third edition, dedicated to the viola, has already become an unmissable event, both for luthiers and luthiery schools around the world, and for demanding professionals in general and music lovers curious about this original event.
The instruments are evaluated by a jury composed of internationally renowned luthiers and musicians, ensuring a balance of technical and musical expertise. Raphaël Pidoux chairs the jury.
January 14-16, 2026 - Closed-door pre-selections
Each instrument is carefully examined by each member of the luthiers' jury, and each member of the musicians' jury performs a sound and musical test on each instrument.
Saturday, January 17 and Sunday, January 18, 2026 - Public semi-finals and finals at the Philharmonie de Paris.
Each pre-selected instrument is played behind a screen in front of the jury by musicians from the Orchestre de Paris.
On Sunday, January 18, the awards ceremony will take place, followed by a musical performance on the winning instruments and a discussion between luthiers, students, and the public about the instruments in competition.
Free admission with advance reservation:
Review previous editions: 2022 Competition - 2024 Competition
The "Stauffer" viola by Girolamo Amati (1615): a model for the "Talents of Tomorrow" category
Competitors in the "Talents of Tomorrow" category will have to draw inspiration from the viola, known as the "Stauffer", by Girolamo Amati (Cremona, 1615, Centro di Musicologia Walter Stauffer) kept at the Museo del Violino in Cremona.
A privileged collaboration
with the Paris Orchestra
As with previous editions, the musicians of The Orchestre de Paris will play the instruments in competition. The orchestra's violists will test the violas during the semi-finals and finals, which are open to the public, on Saturday, January 17 and Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Playing behind screens, they guarantee the anonymity of all instruments
by highlighting the sonic and musical qualities of each viola. By evaluating instruments under real playing conditions, they offer a unique experience both to the luthiers participating in the competition and to the public..
The events open to the public
The public is invited to attend the semi-finals and finals: entry is free with prior reservation (available from December 9, 2025):
Semi-final “Talents of Tomorrow”
Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Semi-final “Today’s Talents”
Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 3:30 PM
“Talents of Tomorrow” Final
Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Final “Today’s Talents”
Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Awards ceremony
Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 3:00 PM
