Meet Alberto Cartuccia Cingolani, the 9-year-old Italian piano prodigy who began Mozart lessons at 3 and collected 42 first-place awards by age 7

Italian pianist Alberto Cartuccia Cingolani began his musical journey during the 2020 lockdown. By the age of seven, he had collected 42 first prizes in national and international piano competitions, many of them absolute wins.

Born in Macerata on April 5, 2017, Alberto attends primary school in the municipality of Treia. His first approach to music came during the lockdown, when he began taking his first steps on the keyboard through small musical games and songs with his mother, Alessia, as per a report.

Alessia is a graduate of opera singing from the “L. D’Annunzio” Conservatory in Pescara. As Alberto progressed, remarkable musical aptitudes emerged, supported by a strong absolute ear that was already evident at the age of three, as per an European Association of Music Educators and Performers report.


Alberto Cartuccia Cingolani showed remarkable musical ability early

His musical progress led to his participation in international piano competitions in 2021. He took part in online competitions organized by age categories and achieved his first excellent results.

By age seven, he had collected 42 first prizes, many of them absolute, in national and international competitions held both online and in person.

His competition experiences included the City of Albenga, Piano Talents Milano, C. Schumann in Massa, Rospigliosi, WPTA Madrid, Orbetello Piano Competition, London Classical Music Competition, BTHWN Vienna, Musik Festival Vienna, Elsa Pozzoli in Seregno, Riviera Etrusca in Piombino, Northern Lights Piano Festival in Sweden, Grand Prize Royal Mass in London, San Donà di Piave, Steinway Award Italy 2023, International Music Festival Paris 2024, and Clavierland Piano Competition Vienna 2024, among others.

Young Italian pianist has performed with orchestras

Alberto has also taken part in cultural and charitable events, music festivals and other performances, including appearances as a soloist with an orchestra.

His appearances have included the Festival Liszt in Grottammare, Civitanova Classica, PianoItalia Festival at the “G. Verdi” Conservatory in Milan, the WPTA Spain 2023 Gala at the Real Conservatorio de Madrid and a performance at Mozarthaus Vienna.

In October 2023, Alberto received the “Music Prize” at the prestigious XXI Premio Giuseppe Sciacca. The ceremony was held at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in the Vatican, where he performed before ecclesiastical, military and civil authorities.

Alberto's Mozart performance gained millions of views

One of Alberto's performances of Mozart's Sonata K. 545 at a piano competition gained millions of views and attracted attention from the international press.

He was also invited to appear on RAI 2's “Your Facts” by Michele Guardì, on Channel 5's “The Charge of 100 +1” by Piero Chiambretti and on RAI 1 at the invitation of Milly Carlucci.

Alberto continued competing and performing in 2025

According to his father's report, Simone Cartuccia, Alberto had several significant musical experiences in 2025.

He participated in numerous national and international competitions, winning first prize each time. He also gave several concerts, some with an orchestra, and performed Haydn's Concerto in D major seven times.

During the summer, Alberto attended a summer school at the Mozarteum in Salzburg in Maestro Andreas Weber's class. He also took part in the final concert.

His schedule included three solo recitals in Italy planned for November, including a November 9 performance at the Bibiena Theatre in Mantua. He was also scheduled to perform at a concert for the winners of an Austrian competition at Mozarthaus in Vienna.

Alberto named absolute winner in piano nomination

Alberto's achievements also include recognition from the World Open Music Competition, Europe Open Music Competition and American Open Music Competition.

The competition organizer announced Alberto Cartuccia Cingolani as the absolute winner in the piano nomination, in the class of Cingolani Alessi from Italy, Macerata.

Part of the competition's prize money will be awarded to Alberto to support the development of his musical career. The funds can be used for expenses connected with his musical activities, including travel, hotels, concerts, master classes and live competitions.