Estate Musicale del Garda Gasparo da Salò

A festival in the name of Gasparo da Salò

The Estate Musicale del Garda is one of the longest-running classical reviews in Lombardy: its first edition dates back to 1960. The festival is named after Gasparo Bertolotti da Salò (1540-1609), a luthier native to the town and considered among the main creators of the modern violin. It is no coincidence that the event is primarily an international violin festival, which brings renowned performers and chamber orchestras to the Gulf of Salò.

Concert Venues

The evenings take place in the symbolic locations of the historic center of Salò, in the province of Brescia: the scenic Piazza Duomo, overlooking the late Gothic cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata, and the intimate cloister of MuSa, the city museum. The review traditionally opens with a preview on the water, aboard the sailboat Circe moored on the lakefront, a suggestive way to inaugurate the musical summer with the lake as a backdrop.

A Tradition Looking to the Youth

Alongside the great names of international concert music, the Estate Musicale del Garda gives space to young orchestras and emerging soloists, in a program that alternates Baroque, Classical, and Romantic repertoire. The festival is promoted by the Municipality of Salò together with the Pro Loco (local tourist board) and is part of the rich Salò Estate calendar, which brings over a hundred events including music, sports, and culture to the city from April to September.

Why it's Worth the Trip

Listening to a string quartet or a violin concert in the square of one of the pearls of Brescia's Garda, with the facade of the Duomo illuminated and the lake air, is an experience that combines high music and the beauty of the place. For those visiting the riviera, it is an opportunity to discover Salò beyond the tourist postcard.