I Luoghi della Musica
The international chamber music festival traveling through Irpinia
About Luoghi della Musica
A traveling festival in the heart of Irpinia
I Luoghi della Musica is not a festival confined to a single venue: it is a traveling chamber music series that moves its concerts from one town to another across the province of Avellino in Campania every summer. The concept behind it is both simple and ambitious: to let classical music resonate in the places that define Irpinia’s identity—the Baroque churches, cloisters, castles, and baronial palaces that dot a territory often overlooked by major tourist circuits.
The event is promoted by the "A. Toscanini" International Music Academy Association, founded in Atripalda in 1996, under the artistic direction of pianist Maestro Antonella De Vinco. The festival is officially recognized by the Ministry of Culture, a detail that speaks volumes about the artistic caliber of the program, and is supported by an institutional network including the Campania Region, the Irpinia Sannio Chamber of Commerce, the Municipality of Avellino, and the various host towns.
Avellino, a key city for the program
The capital of Irpinia is a recurring stop for the festival. Over the years, Avellino's concerts have been held in some of the city's most significant sacred spaces, from the Chapel of the Santissima Annunziata, just a few steps from the Cathedral Square, to the Carmine Church: intimate settings with warm acoustics where a string quartet or a piano and voice duo can reach the audience without filters or amplification. For those living in Avellino or visiting Irpinia, it is a chance to hear world-class music right on their doorstep for a symbolic price.
What to expect
The repertoire is intentionally broad and goes beyond the standard classical canon. The program features:
- chamber music from the Baroque era to the 20th century, with trios, string quartets, and mixed ensembles;
- opera and classic Neapolitan songs, often performed by soloists accompanied by piano;
- forays into jazz, tango, and contemporary fusions;
- organ concerts and sacred music in local sanctuaries;
- the "Young Talents in Concert" section, dedicated to emerging musicians from Italian and European conservatories.
The festival also embraces a multidisciplinary approach: some evenings weave music together with poetry, spoken word, dance, and photography, turning the concert into a multi-layered narrative.
A project for regional promotion
The festival also functions as a sonic map of Irpinia. The schedule regularly visits Atripalda, Gesualdo, Grottaminarda, Manocalzati, Mercogliano, Montefalcione, Montemiletto, Montefredane, Parolise, San Potito Ultra, and Summonte, in addition to the capital. Those who follow multiple stops end up crossing the entire province: the hilly villages around Mount Partenio, the Sabato valley, the Ufita area, and the castles and sanctuaries that dominate the plains. It is a clever way to explore Irpinia, using music as a pretext and the evening as the ideal time, when temperatures drop and the historic centers come alive.
Quick practical information
- Period: from the second half of July to the end of September, with some autumn dates.
- Typical concert time: 8:15 PM (some evenings at 7:30 PM or 8:00 PM).
- Symbolic ticket prices and several free-entry dates.
- Stops are announced progressively: it is best to check the updated calendar before traveling.
For those arriving from Naples or Salerno, a festival evening can easily be combined with a dinner featuring Irpinian products—from Fiano di Avellino wine to Taurasi, from Podolico caciocavallo cheese to homemade tortori pasta—turning the concert into a delightful day trip.
Luoghi della Musica — edition 2026
The 34th edition
The international chamber music festival directed by Antonella De Vinco inaugurated its thirty-fourth edition on Saturday, July 25, 2026, in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Atripalda, before a packed house. From there, the program moves from town to town until the end of September, touching some of the most beautiful places in Irpinia.
The 2026 edition focuses strongly on multidisciplinarity: alongside traditional chamber concerts, there are evenings that weave together music, poetry, and readings, tango shows, and events dedicated to emerging musicians. The festival is supported by the Campania Region, the Irpinia Sannio Chamber of Commerce, and the Municipality of Avellino, and is recognized by the Ministry of Culture.
For those in Avellino, the advice is to follow the announcements of the Toscanini Academy: the stops in the capital and other municipalities are communicated progressively throughout the summer.
Programme Luoghi della Musica 2026
The first events took place in Atripalda, in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, always starting at 8:15 PM.
- Saturday, July 25, 8:15 PM — Atripalda, church of Santa Maria delle Grazie: "Divagazioni", with the Trio Felix from Bari (Marilena Gaudio soprano, Giacomo Piepoli clarinet, Flavio Peconio piano), featuring operatic repertoire, European lieder, and Neapolitan classics.
- Sunday, July 26, 8:15 PM — Atripalda: "Ombre sull'acqua", with Moira Michelini on piano and Andrea Giuli as narrator, a multidisciplinary journey through music, poetry, and literary readings.
- Tuesday, July 28 — Atripalda: "Young Talents in Concert", with young pianist Federico Pizzutelli in a French and American program dedicated to Satie, Debussy, and Gershwin.
- Thursday, July 30: "El Tango Show" with Alexandre Bellarosa and Mariana Avila, free admission.
From August to September, concerts continue in other centers of the province: Gesualdo, Grottaminarda, Manocalzati, Mercogliano, Montefalcione, Montemiletto, Montefredane, Parolise, San Potito Ultra, and Summonte, in addition to the city of Avellino. Dates and performers for individual stops are announced progressively by the organization.
Highlights Luoghi della Musica 2026
- Thirty-fourth edition of a festival recognized by the Ministry of Culture.
- Inaugural concert by Trio Felix in Atripalda, with the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie sold out.
- The "Young Talents in Concert" section dedicated to emerging musicians.
- Free-entry Argentine tango evening on July 30.
- 2-euro tickets and 10-euro season passes: world-class chamber music at an affordable price.
Prices Luoghi della Musica 2026
Practical information — Luoghi della Musica
How to get to Avellino
By car: A16 Naples-Canosa motorway, take the Avellino Ovest or Avellino Est exits; from Salerno, take the Avellino-Salerno motorway junction. By bus: frequent Air Campania connections from Naples (Metropark Centrale) and Salerno, with a stop at the Via Fariello terminal. By train: the Avellino station has limited service; it is better to arrive in Benevento or Naples and continue by bus.
Tickets
Entry at a symbolic price (single ticket around 2 euros, season pass for multiple concerts at 10 euros). Admission is always free for members of the Toscanini Academy, children, and people with disabilities; some evenings are free for everyone.
Contacts
Associazione Accademia Internazionale di Musica "A. Toscanini", Piazza Papa Giovanni XXIII 51, Atripalda (AV). Phone and WhatsApp: +39 333 336 0294 (every day from 10 AM to 7 PM) and +39 347 6164341. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.arturotoscanini.eu.
Tips
Concerts are often held in churches and cloisters: dress appropriately and arrive at least twenty minutes early, as seating is limited and not always numbered. In case of bad weather, outdoor venues may change: always check the association's official channels.
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Where does it take place — Luoghi della Musica
Sedi varie in Irpinia (chiese, chiostri e palazzi storici)