Last night the cloister of the Church of San José hosted the eagerly awaited ceremony for the International Guitar Competition Ciutat d’Elx. The final featured a standout performance by Italian guitarist Antonio Caron, who claimed the top prize.
The competition also honored other remarkable artists. Ines Martins de Sousa from Portugal secured a well-deserved second place, while Seungsu-shin from Korea received the Honor Award. The professional jury for the event included Tania Boneva, Pedro Mateo, and Dimitri van Halderen.
The winner earned the chance to perform a concert at the forthcoming Ciutat d’Elx Guitar Festival, along with a prize of 1500 euros. Additional opportunities included a concert organized by the Petrer Guitar Youth Association (PIMA), a 600-euro engagement, and a 750-euro performance at the City of Albacete Festival 2023.
Second prize awarded 500 euros, and the Audience Award—a prize granted by the attendees—carried with it a donation of 300 euros.
Calendura Awards
In the Calendura Awards, the first prize went to Manuel Martinez Ariza for a striking under-20 entry. The second prize was awarded to June Agirre Epelde and Iulia Elena Lica in a joint ex aequo decision. The jury, comprising Bienvenido Rodríguez, Javier Llanes, and Álvaro Toscano, also recognized Sergio Manuel Martinez Reyes with the Honor Award. The prize package included 500 euros for the winner and a 200-euro donation for the second prize.
Elche’s edition continues to celebrate young talent alongside seasoned performers, highlighting the festival’s commitment to nurturing rising stars in classical guitar.
Elche Guitar Festival marks the beginning of a series of events that frame the city as a hub for guitar artistry. The awards ceremony is one of three competitions that culminate in a grand festival weekend. The next date in the calendar was scheduled for Saturday, July 30, at the Convent of San José, with a main stage performance at 21:00 preceding the closing concert.
Immediately after the ceremony, audiences could enjoy the performance of Melómano Duo, a duo that had secured First Prize in the previous edition’s Chamber Music Competition with Guitar. The duo’s concert offered a synthesis of technical fluency and expressive depth that resonated with listeners.
Music in this festival is a collaboration of young ensembles and established artists, weaving together a program that showcases both national and international talent. The Duo Melomano, a young chamber ensemble founded by soprano Martha Heras and guitarist Sarah Guerrero, has already achieved significant recognition. Their collaborations across Spain have earned international accolades, including the First Prize at the IX Ciudad de Ávila Chamber Music Competition and the First Prize at the VIII Ciutat d’Elx Chamber Music Competition.
For the awards ceremony, the program featured a thoughtful selection of Spanish songs by Lorenzo Palomo, Federico García Lorca, Manuel de Falla, and Grazià Tarragó, offering a blend of vocal music and guitar with deep cultural roots.