With fourteen events and a program richer and more diverse than ever, inspired by new choices, original proposals, and unusual, sometimes provocative combinations, Pianofortissimo & Talenti 2024 is coming from June 3rd to July 8th. This series is the result of the renewed collaboration between Inedita and Bologna Festival. It is the highly anticipated summer classical music event, shining a spotlight on two of the city’s most beautiful and historically rich monumental settings, closely linked to Bologna’s high musical tradition: the 13th-century cloister of the Basilica of Santo Stefano for Talenti and the courtyard of the Archiginnasio, surrounded by the Reale Collegio di Spagna and the “G.B. Martini” Conservatory, for Pianofortissimo, where graceful melodies are free to float in the summer sky. Once again, it will be the trump card capable of capturing the audience’s sentiment, including the younger audience to whom the programs of both series pay particular attention.

Thus, the doors open to contemporary jazz with world premieres and interesting forays into geographically distant musical traditions. Classical music, the archetype of all concerts, will be ready to surprise us with countercurrent and experimental musical offerings. From violinist Simon Zhu, winner of the Paganini Prize, to a virtuoso like Thomas Umbaca who creates highly expressive musical flows with his jazz piano; from the Baroque duo with harpsichord and recorder formed by Angelica Selmo and Fabiano Martignago, to the marimba-piano duo of Vassilena Serafimova and Thomas Enhco. The provocative “Invisible Pianist,” who reveals himself only at the end of the concert, contrasts with two clearly identifiable young pianists, just over twenty: Giacomo Menegardi, winner of the Venice Prize, and Leonardo Merlini, first prize at the Geneva International Piano Competition. Among the many guests of this edition of Pianofortissimo & Talenti are also guitarist Duved Dunayevsky and violinist Federico Zaltron with their tribute to Django Reinhardt and jazz manouche; pianist Jean-Marc Luisada, a poet of the keyboard, who “recites” Gershwin – Rhapsody in Blue, Chopin – Scherzos and Mazurkas, Brahms – Three Intermezzi.

Pianofortissimo & Talenti 2024 is part of Bologna Estate 2024, the program of activities promoted and coordinated by the Municipality of Bologna.