Encounters with Music at Villa Giulia

Encounters with Brahms — 5th edition (2025)

From September 2 to 7, 2025, the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia opened its doors at night for the fifth edition of «Encounters with Music», entirely dedicated to Johannes Brahms. Six evening concerts accompanied the audience through the museum's halls and the villa's garden, with introductory talks led by composer Francesco Antonioni.

The program featured a mix of prominent soloists and chamber ensembles, pairing Brahms' works with pieces by composers such as Ravel, Shostakovich, Mendelssohn, and the Brazilian André Mehmari, creating a journey that ranged from solo piano to large sextet arrangements. The evenings, with museum access at 7:30 PM and concerts at 8:15 PM, confirmed the formula that has made the festival a beloved fixture of the Roman September.

Tuesday, September 2 — Piano Recital

• Giuseppe Andaloro, piano: Brahms, Six Pieces for Piano, Op. 118; works by Shostakovich and Ravel; transcriptions from King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

Wednesday, September 3 — String Quartet

• Vision String Quartet (Berlin): Brahms, String Quartet No. 1; Ravel, String Quartet.

Thursday, September 4 — Violin and Piano

• Marco Rizzi, violin, and Roberto Arosio, piano: Leone Sinigaglia, Sonata; Brahms, Violin Sonata No. 3.

Friday, September 5 — Piano Trio

• Giuseppe Gibboni (violin), Paolo Bonomini (cello), Giovanni Bertolazzi (piano): Brahms, Piano Trio No. 1; André Mehmari; Shostakovich, Piano Trio No. 1.

Saturday, September 6 — Piano Quintet

• Quartetto Indaco with Stefano Ligoratti, piano: Mendelssohn, String Quartet No. 4; Brahms, Piano Quintet.

Sunday, September 7 — Grand Finale, the Sextets

• Six string performers (including Massimo Quarta and Enrico Dindo): Brahms, Sextet No. 1 and Sextet No. 2.

The opening recital by Giuseppe Andaloro, featuring Brahms' Op. 118 alongside transcriptions of progressive rock; the Berlin-based Vision String Quartet; and the grand finale featuring Brahms' two Sextets performed by masters such as Massimo Quarta and Enrico Dindo.