The Malta Cross competition, organised in collaboration with the C. Bechstein Centrum, is pleased to announce its 2026 edition, which will welcome new contestants including participants from the Czech Republic. Following requests from previous editions, this year's competition will feature duo performances, meaning the main musician may be accompanied by another musician. However, piano duos (Quattromani) with two pianists will not be permitted.
We encourage Maltese and Gozitan musicians to take a greater interest in this event. The competition offers valuable opportunities to broaden artistic horizons, collaborate with international musicians, perform on respected Maltese stages such as the Malta Society of Arts and Teatru Manoel, and potentially secure concert opportunities abroad.
Participants may perform in a range of genres including film music, classical music, traditional/folk music, pop or jazz. Instrumentalists such as violinists, pianists, guitarists, trumpeters, double bass players and others are welcome, though vocal performances are not allowed. The competition is open to male and female musicians aged 16 to 40, with at least six years of musical experience at intermediate, advanced or diploma level.
The three-day competition will be held from 20 to 22 April and will include masterclasses, lectures, concerts, educational talks, and the full competition programme. Contestants will be hosted in Malta from 18 to 23 April at the Corinthia hotels. Participants from France, the Czech Republic, Spain, and Ukraine have already been accepted.
This third edition continues to bring talented young musicians to Malta, and the organisers hope to see a strong representation from Malta and Gozo. As musical talent continues to grow locally, this competition offers a platform to showcase the artistic strength and potential of our young performers.
To apply, musicians are invited to send an email to [email protected] with a short biography and a brief video clip or submit an application through the website https://maltacroscompetition.eu.
Last year's edition, held in April, welcomed contestants from the Czech Republic and Austria, who greatly enjoyed meeting and collaborating with Maltese musicians, sharing music, culture, and sightseeing experiences. Their enthusiasm and desire to return encourage us to continue fostering cultural exchange through live performances.
The first preparatory meeting for this year's edition will be held at the C. Bechstein Centrum in Prague on 15 January. The seminar will focus on arts and culture in Malta and will include performances and a masterclass by Professor Michal Rezak from the Prague Conservatoire.