Barezzi Festival

The Barezzi Festival: twenty years of auteur music in Verdi's land

The Barezzi Festival is a music event that every December transforms the historic theatres of the province of Parma into stages for the best of auteur music and the international indie and contemporary scene. The festival is named after Antonio Barezzi, a merchant and patron from Busseto who was the first great supporter of the young Giuseppe Verdi: a tribute to the spirit of those who believe in talent and nurture it. It is no coincidence that the symbolic heart of the event beats in Busseto, in the Bassa Parmense, the composer's hometown.

A widespread celebration across Busseto, Parma, and Fidenza

The Barezzi formula is that of a distributed festival: concerts are held in some of the most beautiful theatres in Emilia. In Busseto, the elegant Teatro Giuseppe Verdi traditionally hosts the opening concert, while the Teatro Regio in Parma and the Teatro Magnani in Fidenza host other events. Over the years, the festival has also extended its network to the Teatro Municipale Valli in Reggio Emilia and other venues, with collateral sections such as Barezzi Off, dedicated to the Italian independent scene, Barezzi Lab for young artists, and food and music experiences in the historic centre's taverns.

The 20th Anniversary Edition: December 10-13, 2026

The 20th edition, scheduled from December 10th to 13th, 2026, under the banner of "twenty years of musical intoxication," features a first-class lineup. The festival opens with John Grant, who will take the stage at the Teatro Verdi in Busseto on December 10th. In the following days, artists such as Glen Hansard, Sleaford Mods, Peter Hook And The Light, Sébastien Tellier, Einstürzende Neubauten, Arab Strap, and Gaia Banfi will perform in Parma and Fidenza.

The Teatro Giuseppe Verdi in Busseto

Inaugurated in 1868 and named after the great composer, the Teatro Verdi in Busseto is a jewel with about three hundred seats, intimate and with precious acoustics. Listening to a concert in this hall, in the municipality of the province of Parma most closely linked to Verdi's memory, is an experience that combines the history of Italian music with the new voices of the international scene, in one of the most curated festivals in Emilia-Romagna.