Stella Almondo received the Diapason d'Or for an album about Liszt

At the end of summer 2026, 19-year-old pianist from Monaco Stella Almondo received the prestigious Diapason d’Or for her second album, “Anges & Démons”, dedicated to Franz Liszt. This award, presented by the respected French magazine about classical music, was recognition for a bold and personal project — a continuation of her debut album “Passion” (2024), devoted to Blumenfeld, Rachmaninoff and Scriabin and which gathered more than one million streams in four months. On 20 September Stella will present her programme at Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, where the public will be able to hear how Liszt’s music sounds in her interpretation.

A brief history: an award that changes careers

The Diapason d’Or is one of the most respected awards in the world of classical music. It is bestowed by the French magazine Diapason, which for decades has followed all significant recordings and concerts. Receiving such an award means gaining recognition not only from the public but also from the professional community of critics. For Stella Almondo this Diapason d’Or was the first in her career and, by her own admission, a complete surprise.

“I was very surprised,” admits the pianist. “It is a great honour and a source of pride, since every month the editorial team receives many albums, and only a handful are granted this award.” Stella also emphasises that this prize is the result of the work of the whole team who helped her realise this ambitious project.

A personal take on Liszt: why him

For Stella Almondo Franz Liszt is not just a composer from a textbook. It was his music that opened the world of classical piano to her when she was a child. Therefore the album “Anges & Démons” became a kind of return to her roots and at the same time a challenge: Liszt is considered one of the most technically demanding composers for pianists. The programme is built around the figure of Mephistopheles and the characters of legends and poems that inspired the composer — the album includes Mephisto Waltz No. 1, “The Forest King”, “Lorelei”, “Liebeslied”, “Ave Maria” and “After Reading Dante”.

“This album is very personal and demanding,” Stella says. “I chose pieces that are far from comfortable repertoire, but it is precisely they that allow me to tell the stories I want to bring to the listener.” The album combines virtuosic études and more lyrical pieces that reveal different facets of Liszt’s personality — from angelic tenderness to demonic passion.

A summer to remember: 50,000 listeners and new horizons

The summer of 2026 proved to be eventful for Stella Almondo, in keeping with other summer evenings on the Côte d’Azur. One of the most striking moments was her performance at the “Un Violon sur le sable” festival in Royan on 25 July, where she played the finale of Rachmaninoff’s Third Concerto — one of the most technically demanding works in the piano repertoire — before an audience of almost 50,000 people and received a standing ovation. After that came other concerts and masterclasses, which strengthened her reputation as one of France’s most promising young pianists.

Stella is now based in Paris, where she continues her studies at the National Conservatory of Music and Dance, but Monaco remains an important base for her. On 19 September she will appear at the “La Vague Classique” festival in Six-Fours-les-Plages, and the next day, 20 September, she will give a solo recital in the Prince Pierre Hall at the Grimaldi Forum. The programme will be built around her new album on Liszt — the final list of works has not yet been disclosed by the organisers.

What the audience will hear at the Monaco concert

The concert at the Grimaldi Forum will be a symbolic homecoming for Stella Almondo. The programme features works by Franz Liszt that are included in her new album. The pianist promises that it will not just be a concert, but a true narrative, where each piece is a chapter of a story.

“I want my music to speak not only to those who have long loved classical music, but also to those who are only beginning to discover it,” Stella explains. “It is important to me that the record and the concert are understandable and interesting to a wide audience. Perhaps it was this openness that helped me receive the Diapason d’Or.”

Looking ahead: new projects and ambitions

Receiving the Diapason d’Or is an important milestone, but Stella Almondo does not intend to stop. Ahead of her are appearances in international competitions, as well as several projects she is not ready to talk about yet. Among Stella’s recent international engagements is a performance with the Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra in Sweden. This is part of a broader picture: Monaco’s cultural life has been rapidly expanding in recent years, and classical music now sits alongside contemporary art.

“I hope this award will become a symbol for young artists,” says Stella. “Youth has its own voice, its own truth, and I am glad that my project has found a response. This is only the beginning of a long journey.”

Practical information for those who want to hear Stella Almondo

If you plan to attend the concert in Monaco, here are a few details to know:

• The concert will take place on 20 September 2026 in the Prince Pierre Hall at the Grimaldi Forum.
• Start time — 18:00.
• Tickets — at a flat rate of 20 euros, sold on the official Grimaldi Forum website and at box offices (20% discount for people with disabilities).
• It is recommended to book seats in advance, as the concert is expected to sell out.

For those who cannot attend, the album “Anges & Démons” is available on all digital platforms, as well as on CD and vinyl. It is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the work of a young pianist who is already bringing a fresh perspective to the world of classical music.

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