I Suoni del Lago... oltre il giardino

A festival suspended between lake and sea

At the end of July, as the sun sets behind the Circeo promontory, the Belvedere of Sabaudia becomes an open-air auditorium overlooking Lake Paola. This is the setting for I Suoni del Lago... oltre il giardino, a summer music festival that brings together jazz, singer-songwriter music, contemporary compositions, and classical repertoire in a unique natural environment within Circeo National Park. All concerts are free to attend and start at 9:15 PM—a simple formula that has made this event one of the most anticipated highlights of the Pontine summer.

A staple of the Sabaudia summer since 2016

Born in 2016, the festival has grown year after year to become a benchmark for high-quality music in southern Lazio. The artistic direction is led by Maestro Piero Cardarelli, while the honorary presidency is held by Giovanni Tommaso, a legendary figure in Italian jazz. Over the years, the lakeside stage has hosted prominent national jazz artists, such as pianist Danilo Rea, alternating between big names, chamber ensembles, and crossover projects that span various genres.

The venues: the Belvedere and the Sanctuary of Sorresca

The heart of the festival is the Belvedere of Sabaudia, a natural terrace overlooking Lake Paola just a short walk from the city's rationalist center. Some evenings are held at the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Sorresca, an ancient place of worship overlooking the lake's waters: two evocative settings where music engages with the landscape, framed by the silhouette of Circeo, the dunes, and the evening stillness.

The Pet Concert: an evening for four-legged friends

A now-traditional highlight is the Pet Concert that closes the festival: a performance designed to be enjoyed by audiences accompanied by their pets, featuring Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons. This original concept perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the event: high-level music, a welcoming atmosphere, and a deep connection with the park's nature.

Sabaudia, a rationalist city in Circeo Park

The festival is promoted by the Municipality of Sabaudia in collaboration with the Pro Loco, the I Suoni del Lago Association, and the Circeo National Park Authority. Sabaudia, located in the province of Latina, Lazio, is one of the 'new towns' founded in the 1930s, famous for its rationalist architecture, coastal dunes, and Lake Paola. Attending a concert at the Belvedere means discovering one of the most fascinating landscapes on the Lazio coast alongside the music.