Ancient Organs and Instruments of Valsugana

A festival dedicated to the historic organs of Trentino

The Ancient Organs and Instruments of Valsugana festival is a summer event featuring classical and early music, held in the municipality of Civezzano, in the Province of Trento, and in numerous churches throughout Valsugana and the Trentino valleys. Curated by the Ensemble Girolamo Frescobaldi, a cultural association active since 1975 that has performed hundreds of concerts across Trentino, the event stems from the experience of the Centro Culturale Carlo Serassi with the aim of showcasing the valley's rich organ heritage.

The 1708 Bonatti organ in Civezzano

The heart of the festival is the Archpriest Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Civezzano, which houses a treasure of exceptional value: the organ built by Giuseppe Bonatti in 1708. It is considered one of the most precious and best-preserved instruments in Trentino and the only example in the region to have come from this master organ builder's workshop. Every year, in collaboration with the Municipality of Civezzano, the Ensemble Frescobaldi organizes a series of concerts around this instrument to highlight its ancient sounds.

Five historic organs of Valsugana

The festival offers the chance to hear five historic organs scattered throughout the valley: in addition to the 1708 Bonatti in Civezzano, there is the 18th-century German-style positive organ in Fierozzo San Felice, the 1805 Gaetano Callido in the Pieve Antica of Calceranica, the 1836 Fratelli Serassi in Caldonazzo, and the 1874 Filippo Tornaghi in Bedollo. Each concert is an opportunity to rediscover a rare sonic heritage and visit churches and parish churches of great artistic interest.

Early music and collaborations

The program alternates organ recitals with chamber ensembles that pair the pipe organ with violin, flute, trumpet, double bass, voice, and choir, with a repertoire ranging from the Baroque to the Romantic era. The concerts, usually held in the evening, are a way to combine listening to great music with exploring the Valsugana region and the valleys surrounding Trento.