Frühschoppenkonzert and Assumption Day Procession (Mariä Himmelfahrt)

Ferragosto in Music in Colle Isarco

In the municipality of Brennero/Brenner, in the province of Bolzano (South Tyrol), the village of Colle Isarco/Gossensaß has spent generations celebrating August 15th—the Feast of the Assumption, known in German as Mariä Himmelfahrt—with an event that blends popular faith, brass band music, and Tyrolean hospitality. The star of the show is the Vereinskapelle Gossensaß, the historic local brass band.

The Frühschoppenkonzert

On the morning of the festival, around 10:45 AM, the band marches through the village (the Einmarsch) and reaches the pavilion (Pavillon) on Ibsenplatz, the central square named after playwright Henrik Ibsen, who spent much time in the area. This marks the start of the Frühschoppenkonzert, a typical morning concert rooted in South Tyrolean and Tyrolean tradition: marches, polkas, waltzes, and pieces from the Central European brass repertoire (Blasmusik) provide the backdrop for a social gathering for both locals and visitors.

Tradition, Gastronomy, and Conviviality

The festival is organized in partnership with the Amateursportverein Gossensaß, the local amateur sports association, which manages the hospitality and catering. Guests can enjoy traditional Tyrolean dishes and South Tyrolean specialties served throughout the morning and lunch. The religious nature of the day—the Assumption of Mary—intertwines with the festive community spirit, marking one of the most cherished summer events in Colle Isarco.

A Band with Over 160 Years of History

Brass music in Gossensaß has roots dating back to the 19th century: in 2013, the community celebrated 160 years of Blasmusik, a testament to an uninterrupted and deeply ingrained musical tradition. Beyond the main band, the Vereinskapelle includes various ensembles, such as the youth band and dance music groups, remaining active year-round with concerts, patronal feasts, and liturgical and civil celebrations.

Colle Isarco and the Brenner Pass

Colle Isarco/Gossensaß is the first village south of the Brenner Pass, nestled at an altitude of approximately 1,100 meters in the Upper Isarco Valley (Wipptal). A popular destination for mountain sports and vacations, it offers an authentic experience of South Tyrolean culture during the mid-August holidays, where the German language and Tyrolean traditions coexist with Italian identity. The Assumption Day Frühschoppenkonzert is the perfect opportunity to discover this bilingual region through its music and hospitality.