Bisceglie Guitar Festival

The Bisceglie Guitar Festival

The Bisceglie Guitar Festival is a new international event dedicated to classical guitar that debuted in June 2026 in Bisceglie, a coastal town in the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani, Puglia. The festival was born with a specific purpose: to celebrate the legacy of Mauro Giuliani, the renowned virtuoso and composer born in Bisceglie in 1781, widely considered one of the greatest guitarists in music history.

A tribute to Mauro Giuliani

Bringing the world of classical guitar back to the city that gave birth to Giuliani carries deep symbolic value. The festival aims to restore Bisceglie's role as a reference point in the international guitar scene, combining excellent concerts with high-level training. The artistic direction is entrusted to maestro Antonino Maddonni, who has curated a program spanning the entire guitar repertoire, from Baroque to contemporary music.

Five free admission concerts

The program for the first edition unfolded over five evenings, from June 13 to 17, 2026, across two iconic city venues: Palazzo Tupputi, an urban laboratory in the heart of the historic center, and the Teatro Don Luigi Sturzo. All concerts were free to the public, with the goal of introducing the widest possible audience to a refined repertoire often overlooked by major festivals.

Guest of honor: Elena Papandreou

The heart of the event was the presence of Greek guitarist Elena Papandreou, described by the Washington Post as a "poet of the guitar" and a performer on the world's most prestigious stages, from Carnegie Hall in New York to the Musikverein in Vienna. In addition to her concert, Papandreou held a three-day international masterclass from June 15 to 17 at Palazzo Tupputi, offering young guitarists the chance to learn from one of the most authoritative figures on the global scene.

A project for the region

The festival is promoted with the support of the Municipality of Bisceglie, the Puglia Region, and the Cestaro-Rossi Group. The event is part of the rich Apulian summer cultural calendar and aims to become an annual fixture, blending outreach, education, and high-level performances in a charming historical setting.