Fonorama – Sounds off the beaten track
Three days of sound art and experimental electronic music in Cuneo
About Fonorama
A festival that takes sound off the beaten track
In Cuneo, the capital of the province of the same name in southern Piedmont, Fonorama – Sounds off the beaten track has become a benchmark for fans of acoustic experimentation. Organized by the Origami Cultural Association, the festival focuses on sound as an artistic language, with particular attention to electronics, contemporary music, and research into sound diffusion systems.
The Complesso Monumentale di San Francesco
The main venue is the Complesso Monumentale di San Francesco, a jewel of Cuneo's Gothic architecture: the deconsecrated nave and the cloister become an ideal resonance chamber for the immersive performances and sound installations that accompany the three-day event. The space is not just a backdrop, but an integral part of the listening experience.
Organo Motore and sound diffusion
The heart of the festival is research into acoustic diffusion devices. Notable among these is the Organo Motore, a sound diffusion system that recalls the concept of the Acousmonium created in Paris in the 1970s: a true orchestra of loudspeakers that allows artists to spatialize sound within the environment, completely enveloping the audience.
Talks and training
Fonorama is more than just concerts. The festival includes outreach moments and talks with artists, often hosted at the G.F. Ghedini Conservatory in Cuneo and dedicated specifically to students: an opportunity to explore compositional practices and contemporary sound technologies.
A local support network
The festival is held under the patronage of the Municipality of Cuneo, with the support of the Fondazione CRC and the collaboration of the G.F. Ghedini Conservatory and its METS department. It is a project that roots an international cultural proposal in the Piedmontese territory, capable of attracting artists and sound researchers from all over Europe.
- Where: Complesso Monumentale di San Francesco, Cuneo (Piedmont)
- When: Mid-May, three days
- Focus: sound art, experimental electronics, installations, acoustic research
Fonorama — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of Fonorama – Sounds off the beaten track confirmed the Cuneo festival's vocation for sound experimentation, with three evenings at the Complesso Monumentale di San Francesco and a preview of talks at the G.F. Ghedini Conservatory. The absolute protagonist was the Organo Motore, the diffusion system developed by Giuseppe de Benedittis with Nicola Facchini, around which the performances of the various guests were built. A proposal that brought some of the most interesting voices in European acoustic research to Cuneo, in the heart of Piedmont.
Programme Fonorama 2026
Thursday, May 14 — G.F. Ghedini Conservatory (free admission upon reservation)
- 10:00 AM — Talk with Giuseppe de Benedittis and Nicola Facchini
- 12:00 PM — Talk with François J. Bonnet
Friday, May 15 — Complesso di San Francesco
- 9:00 PM — Organo Motore, performance in dialogue with Giuseppe de Benedittis and François J. Bonnet (Kassel Jaeger), director of the INA GRM in Paris
Saturday, May 16 — Complesso di San Francesco
- 9:00 PM — Hélène Vogelsinger, performance on the Organo Motore with modular synthesizers and an approach focused on listening and the relationship with space
Sunday, May 17 — Complesso di San Francesco
- 6:00 PM — Riccardo La Foresta with the Drummophone, an aerophone instrument derived from the drum that expands the language of percussion towards microtonal and experimental forms
Highlights Fonorama 2026
Prices Fonorama 2026
Practical information — Fonorama
How to get there
The Complesso Monumentale di San Francesco is located in the heart of Cuneo's historic center, on Via Santa Maria, just a few steps from Piazza Galimberti. Cuneo train station is connected to Turin and the regional network; from the station, the center is within walking distance. By car, Cuneo is served by the A33 Asti-Cuneo motorway and the main roads of the Provincia Granda.
Tickets
Concert tickets can be purchased online in advance at ticket.it or at the box office on the evening of the event. A pass for all three evenings is also available. Talks at the Conservatory are generally free to attend upon reservation.
Tips
The shows are designed for immersive listening: we recommend arriving a few minutes early. Cuneo offers numerous accommodation options in the center for those wishing to experience the festival over several days.
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Where does it take place — Fonorama
Complesso Monumentale di San Francesco
Via Santa Maria 10, 12100 Cuneo