On 5 March, the Baroque Chapel of the Italian Cultural Institute of Prague hosted the opening concert of the 2026 Bianca d’Aponte Award tour. For more than twenty years, the initiative has provided a platform for emerging Italian female singer-songwriters and for canzone d’autore.
Performing before a capacity audience were Lumen (2025 finalist), Gabriella Martinelli (2016 finalist), Giulia Pratelli (Best Lyrics Award 2018) and Micaela Tempesta (winner of the 2025 edition and joint recipient of the Critics’ Award with Nove). Parts of the concert featured double bass accompaniment by Ferruccio Spinetti, Artistic Director of the Award. The evening concluded with the four singers offering the audience a moving and warmly applauded tribute to Bianca d’Aponte, performing one of her songs. The Director of the Italian Cultural Institute of Prague, Marialuisa Pappalardo, addressed the audience, highlighting the cultural value of the initiative, which offers young artists a structured platform for engagement with record producers, specialised music press and music enthusiasts.
The Prague event also marks the opening of applications—traditionally free of charge and open to all musical genres—for the 22nd edition of the contest, organised by the Bianca d’Aponte Musical Association (ONLUS). The deadline for entries is 30 March 2026.
Application forms and the competition announcement are available at https://www.premiobiancadaponte.it/home.asp The finals will take place at the Teatro Cimarosa in Aversa on 23–24 October.
