The appointment with the music festival and masterclass The souls of the guitar returns in summer 2026 in Castell’Arquato

from Tuesday 7 to Friday 31 July 2026 in Castell’Arquato and Castelnuovo Fogliani

For a week, from 14 to 19 July, the medieval village becomes the venue for an exclusive masterclass of classical guitar and stringed instruments that attracts students and teachers from all over the world. On the calendar, concerts and events open to all to discover the world of classical violin making.

Program

Nicola Gallo, Matteo Vezzoli and Marco Cvoro

Tuesday 7 July 2026, 9 pm
Villa Sforza Fogliani, Castelnuovo Fogliani – Alseno

Concert with music by Debussy, Lorca, Villa-Lobos, Ponce, Gilardino, Brouwer, Vezzoli. With: Nicola Gallo and Matteo Vezzoli (guitars) and Marco Cvoro (cello). Free admission.

John Dowland’s work in guitar transcription

Wednesday 15 July 2026, 11
a.m.Palazzo del Podestà, Castell’Arquato

Conference with Tilman Hoppstock. Free admission.

Elisa La Marca

Wednesday 15 July 2026, 9 pm
cloister of the Collegiate Church, Castell’Arquato

Lute concert. Music by Dowland, Morley, Laurencini and Ferrabosco. Admission: €10.00.

In praise of an albatross

Thursday 16 July 2026, 6
pmPalazzo del Podestà, Castell’Arquato

Conference with Kevin Swierkosz-Lénart, dedicated to the work of Angelo Gilardino. With Luca Dondo on guitar. Free admission.

Antonio Giacometti’s guitar compositions

Friday 17 July 2026, 11
a.m.Palazzo del Podestà, Castell’Arquato

Conference by Antonio Giacometti. Free admission.

Mateusz Kowalski

Friday 17 July 2026, 9 pm
Palazzo del Podestà, Castell’Arquato

Guitar concert with the winner of the European Bach Guitar Award 2025. Music by Horecki, Piazzolla, Bach, Chopin, Assad, Bobrowicz, Pasiecny. Admission: €10.00.

The guitar of tradition

Sunday 19 July 2026, 3
pmPalazzo del Podestà, Castell’Arquato

Meeting and dialogue with Master luthiers Umberto Cevoli, Ennio Giovannetti and Gabriele Lodi. With instrument testing. Free admission.

Music from the popular repertoire

Friday 31 July 2026, 8.30
pmlocalità Piani Castellani, Castell’Arquato

With: Francesco Bonomini (accordion), Giovanni Casati (violin), Piera Dadomo and Vincenzo Torricella (guitar). Music by De Falla and Boccherini. Followed by buffet offered by Cantina Manzini. Admission: €10.00.