 It was founded in 1968 and has earned an international reputation, entering membership of the World Federation of International Music Competitions - Geneve in 1981, ISPA (International Society for the Performing Arts) - New York in 2010 and UNESCO.It is the oldest active international classical guitar competition in Italy and one of the oldest in the world.The competition was started in 1968 by musicologist Dr. Michele Pittaluga  (b. Jan 1915 - d. June 1995) as the "City of Alessandria Prize", to mark the 800th anniversary of the city.