EMF Guitar Week – 14th International Guitar Seminar

Classical guitar takes center stage in Lanciano

The EMF Guitar Week is a dedicated classical guitar festival held as part of the Estate Musicale Frentana, the historic music series promoted in Lanciano (Chieti) by the Associazione Amici della Musica "Fedele Fenaroli". In 2026, the festival celebrates its 55th anniversary, with the guitar week standing out as one of its most anticipated events, drawing students and enthusiasts to the Abruzzo region from all over the world.

The 14th Lanciano International Guitar Seminar

The core of the week is the 14th Lanciano International Guitar Seminar, an advanced international course held in collaboration with the New York Guitar Seminar. Under the artistic direction of Isabella Abbonizio, the seminar brings together internationally acclaimed faculty members such as Michael Newman and Laura Oltman of the renowned Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo, alongside other guest masters. Students benefit from masterclasses, private lessons, ensemble rehearsals, and scholarship opportunities for both the Lanciano and New York programs.

Public concerts

In addition to the educational activities, the EMF Guitar Week presents a series of evening concerts for the city of Lanciano. On July 14, 2026, the "Anime Cordae" performance features Andrea Castelfranato and the Alterazioni String Quintet, while the July 18 grand finale showcases the seminar's faculty and top-performing students. The setting is the evocative Parco delle Arti Musicali Torri Montanare, built around the ancient medieval towers of the historic center.

An international partnership

The partnership with the New York Guitar Seminar bridges European and American guitar traditions, with many students traveling from the United States and scholarships facilitating exchange between both sides of the Atlantic. This international scope, combined with the high caliber of the faculty, has established the Lanciano seminar as a benchmark for classical guitar in Abruzzo and across Italy.

Lanciano and the Frentania region

Hosting the EMF Guitar Week highlights the historical and cultural heritage of Lanciano, a city in the Frentania region overlooking the Abruzzo "Costa dei Trabocchi". The evenings at the foot of the Torri Montanare combine high-quality music with the atmosphere of the old town, offering residents and visitors a unique experience that blends musical training, concert performance, and local identity.