Gratteri Early Music Festival

An early music festival in the heart of the Madonie

The Gratteri Early Music Festival is one of the longest-running events dedicated to early music in inland Sicily. Every year, in late August, the village of Gratteri, perched in the Madonie mountains in the province of Palermo, hosts a program of concerts ranging from Baroque and Renaissance repertoires to traditional folk music. The event is organized by the Palermo-based MusicaMente Association, led by Cinzia Guarino, in collaboration with the Municipality of Gratteri and with the support of the Regional Department of Tourism and the Ministry of Culture.

Artistic direction

The project is led by guitarist and lutenist Paolo Rigano, a specialist in early string instrument repertoires. The festival was founded with the aim of combining high-quality music with the promotion of artistic heritage and the cultural and tourist revitalization of the Madonie region. The common thread of each edition is often the encounter between classical and folk music, two worlds that find a natural dialogue in Gratteri.

Festival venues

Concerts are held in two historic center locations: Piazza Monumento, the heart of village life, and the Church of Santa Maria di Gesù, a treasure trove of acoustics and atmosphere perfect for chamber music and Baroque ensembles. Over the years, the festival has also highlighted other heritage sites in the village, contributing to their rediscovery.

Tradition and quality

The Gratteri Early Music Festival has built a reputation over time that extends beyond the Madonie, attracting musicians and audiences interested in a refined repertoire rarely found in commercial circuits. The free admission policy makes the event accessible to everyone and has turned it into a highly anticipated date in the cultural summer of the province of Palermo, in Sicily.

A village to discover

Attending the festival is also an opportunity to explore Gratteri, a small town in the Madonie Park famous for its medieval alleys, churches, and the typical products of the Palermo mountains. The evening concerts at twilight offer an experience that blends music, history, and landscape.