BorGuitar Festival
International classical guitar festival in the Parma Apennines
About BorGuitar Festival
A week of guitar in the Parma Apennines
The BorGuitar Festival is one of the main Italian events dedicated to classical guitar. Founded in 2013 in Borgo Val di Taro, over the years it has expanded its scope, also involving the municipalities of Bedonia and Compiano, in the heart of the Apennines in the province of Parma, Emilia-Romagna. Every summer, the festival attracts students, enthusiasts, and concert performers from all over the world, transforming these mountain villages into a vibrant open-air music laboratory.
Advanced training and evening concerts
The typical day of the festival is divided into two parts. In the morning and afternoon, masterclasses, advanced courses, and music campuses take place, with individual lessons, chamber music workshops, and seminars designed for guitarists of all levels, from the youngest to advanced performers. The teaching venues are mainly hosted in the facilities of the Episcopal Seminary of Bedonia, which also offers accommodation and full board to participants.
In the evening, the festival opens to the public with a series of free admission concerts, held in the churches and historic sites of the three municipalities: the Church of San Domenico in Borgotaro, the Prince's Hall of Compiano Castle, and the spaces of the Seminary and churches in Bedonia. The program alternates classical and romantic repertoire, music by Astor Piazzolla, flamenco pieces, and contemporary works.
Artistic Direction
The soul and artistic director of the festival is Maestro Giampaolo Bandini, an internationally renowned guitarist and professor at the Boccherini Conservatory in Lucca. Around him revolves a large group of teachers and guests, including prominent performers on the international concert scene who alternate on stage and in the classroom during the festival week.
The charm of the villages
In addition to music, the BorGuitar Festival is an opportunity to discover a little-known corner of Emilia-Romagna. The Municipality of Bedonia and the entire Ceno and Taro Valleys offer mountain landscapes, typical Apennine gastronomy, and historic villages like Compiano with its castle. The festival thus represents a successful blend of musical excellence and the valorization of the Parma Apennines territory.
Useful information
- Evening concerts with free admission
- Masterclasses and campuses by registration for students and enthusiasts
- Venues spread across Bedonia, Borgo Val di Taro, and Compiano
- Organization by Global Art Service Coop Onlus
BorGuitar Festival — edition 2026
BorGuitar Festival 2026 – 13th Edition
The thirteenth edition of the BorGuitar Festival is scheduled from July 13 to 19, 2026, in the Parma Apennines. The week opens on July 13 with guitarist Maurizio Baudino at the Episcopal Seminary of Bedonia and continues with a full schedule of lessons and concerts.
Under the guidance of artistic director Giampaolo Bandini, the festival offers master courses, advanced courses, music campuses, and chamber music workshops, with a faculty that includes prominent performers on the international guitar scene. The final student performances are scheduled for July 18 and 19.
As is tradition, the evening concerts are free admission and are held in the churches and historic sites of Bedonia, Borgo Val di Taro, and Compiano.
Programme BorGuitar Festival 2026
2026 Schedule (July 13-19):
- July 13 – Bedonia, Episcopal Seminary: Maurizio Baudino concert
- Daytime masterclasses, advanced courses, and music campuses throughout the week
- Free evening concerts at venues in Bedonia, Borgo Val di Taro, and Compiano
- July 18-19 – Final student performances
The faculty includes Giampaolo Bandini (artistic direction), along with professors from Italian conservatories and campus masters.
Highlights BorGuitar Festival 2026
- Opening concert by Maurizio Baudino (July 13, Episcopal Seminary of Bedonia)
- International classical guitar masterclasses
- Free admission evening concerts in the three municipalities
- Final student performances on July 18 and 19
Prices BorGuitar Festival 2026
Practical information — BorGuitar Festival
How to get here
Bedonia can be reached by car from the A15 Parma-La Spezia motorway, exit at Borgo Val di Taro, then continue along the Ceno Valley. By train, the reference station is Borgo Val di Taro, on the Parma-La Spezia line, from which you can continue by bus or car.
Tickets
Evening concerts are free admission. Masterclasses, advanced courses, and music campuses are paid, with registration fees starting from around 90 euros and variable rates depending on the chosen course.
Accommodation
The Episcopal Seminary of Bedonia offers accommodation and full board to course participants. Further accommodation facilities are available in Borgo Val di Taro and the surrounding area.
Contacts
Information and registration through the organizing secretariat (tel. +39 0521 989315) and the website artiesuoni.com.
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Where does it take place — BorGuitar Festival
Seminario Vescovile di Bedonia
Via Don Stefano Raffi 30, 43041 Bedonia