Il Suono dei Giorni

A festival that gives voice to rural tradition

Il Suono dei Giorni is the folk music and culture festival of Gallese, a town in the province of Viterbo, nestled in the heart of the Tuscia and Agro Falisco regions of northern Lazio. Its title perfectly captures its essence: days have a sound, defined by the cycle of the seasons, farm work, religious feasts, and the rituals that have marked rural life for centuries. The festival captures and shares that sound through concerts, meetings, and storytelling.

Artistic direction by Erasmo Treglia

The festival is curated by ethnomusicologist Erasmo Treglia, a student of the renowned Professor Diego Carpitella, a leading figure in the study of Italian musical traditions. This expertise is evident in the program: there is no superficial folklore here, but rather serious research that alternates between field-collected repertoires, original interpretations, and projects created specifically for Gallese. Over the years, the festival has also collaborated with the Fondazione Musica per Roma, a testament to its recognition beyond provincial borders.

The Marco Scacchi Museum and Cultural Center

The event is traditionally held at the Marco Scacchi Museum and Cultural Center in the historic center of Gallese, named after the 17th-century composer born in the town. The intimate space encourages close listening: the audience sits just a few meters from the musicians, and the traditional organetto, hurdy-gurdy, voices, and wind instruments fill the room without the need for heavy amplification. It is a rare, authentic experience, far removed from the scale of large summer stages.

Music, words, and images

The program offers more than just concerts. Past editions have featured:

• Folk and traditional music concerts from the Lazio region, central-southern Italy, and the Mediterranean;
• Lecture-performances where a narrator engages in dialogue with live musicians;
• Meetings with scholars, researchers, and authors;
• Screenings of documentaries and photography exhibitions dedicated to rural life;
• Social moments centered on local products, particularly extra virgin olive oil and wine, which are celebrated in Gallese during the autumn.

November in Gallese

The November timing is no coincidence: it is the month that concludes the agricultural cycle, between the end of the grape harvest and the olive harvest. The festival integrates perfectly into the town's autumn calendar, historically linked to the Oil and Wine Days, offering visitors a compelling reason to explore Gallese off-season: the medieval village, the Altieri Castle, the Cathedral, and the landscapes of the Agro Falisco, just a few kilometers from Civita Castellana and Orte.

Why it is worth the trip

Il Suono dei Giorni is one of those festivals that avoids flashy gimmicks. The quality of the offering is high, admission is traditionally free, and the atmosphere is that of a community coming together. For those who love oral tradition music, and more generally for those who want to gain a deeper understanding of the popular culture of Lazio, it is an event to mark on your calendar.