If you are a music-lover looking to holiday in Italy this summer, this might be the perfect thing for you. The Stresa Festival, or Festival Settimane Musicali di Stresa, founded in 1961 by Venetian lawyer Italo Trentinaglia de Daverio, is being celebrated for the 54th time this year. Running in July and August, it takes place in the town of Stresa on Lake Maggiore in Piedmont, as well as in some of the surrounding areas.
Held annually, the Stresa Festival is one of Europe's most important international classical music festivals. The festival also plays host to very popular open-air jazz concerts in addition to classical music today.
Held annually, the Stresa Festival is one of Europe's most important international classical music festivals. The festival also plays host to very popular open-air jazz concerts in addition to classical music today.
Famous musicians have both performed at Stresa and started careers there. Young winners of international contests are often invited to participate in the festival.
Leading names in the industry such as Michele Campanella, Garick Ohlsson, Christoph Eschenbach, Murray Perahia, Jeffrey Swann and, more recently, Andrea Lucchesini, Maurizio Zanini and Nikolaj Znaider have all performed there in the past. Guest orchestras have included the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Wiener Philharmoniker, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra.
However, it's not just the music itself that you can look forward to at Stresa Festival; the locations of the concerts take in some of the spectacular views of the Lake Maggiore landscape as well as local historical sites. The jazz concerts take place on the green of the Promenade La Palazzola, in Stresa, right next to the lake with Isola Bella visible across the water. For evening events, it is particularly beautiful with the vista dominated by Palazzo Borromeo all lit up.
Leading names in the industry such as Michele Campanella, Garick Ohlsson, Christoph Eschenbach, Murray Perahia, Jeffrey Swann and, more recently, Andrea Lucchesini, Maurizio Zanini and Nikolaj Znaider have all performed there in the past. Guest orchestras have included the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Wiener Philharmoniker, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra.
However, it's not just the music itself that you can look forward to at Stresa Festival; the locations of the concerts take in some of the spectacular views of the Lake Maggiore landscape as well as local historical sites. The jazz concerts take place on the green of the Promenade La Palazzola, in Stresa, right next to the lake with Isola Bella visible across the water. For evening events, it is particularly beautiful with the vista dominated by Palazzo Borromeo all lit up.
The Tapestry Hall at Palazzo Borromeo also plays host to concerts where one can be cast back into the 17th century and enjoy the music alongside the wonderful Flemish tapestries adorning the room. Other locations for events include the church at the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso, the Congress Hall in Stresa and the Rocca Borromeo, a castle in nearby Angera which features outstanding frescoes on the walls.
The Stresa Festival takes place between the 22nd of July and 5th of September this year, tickets can be acquired online. It is a magical experience not to be missed and a truly unique celebration of music and local natural beauty and history. This summer, why not stay in a Piedmont villa rental and check the festival out for yourself?
The Stresa Festival takes place between the 22nd of July and 5th of September this year, tickets can be acquired online. It is a magical experience not to be missed and a truly unique celebration of music and local natural beauty and history. This summer, why not stay in a Piedmont villa rental and check the festival out for yourself?
Photo Credits:
Pictures 1 and 2: Photos of Stresa
Pictures 1 and 2: Photos of Stresa
