L'Isola in Collina - Singer-Songwriter Festival in memory of Luigi Tenco

L'Isola in Collina, the singer-songwriter festival in Ricaldone

Every summer, the small town of Ricaldone, nestled among the vineyards of Monferrato in the province of Alessandria (Piedmont), transforms into the Italian capital of singer-songwriter music. L'Isola in Collina is the festival that, since 1992, has celebrated the memory of Luigi Tenco, the singer-songwriter who spent his early years in Ricaldone before moving to Genoa, and who is laid to rest in the local cemetery.

A tribute to Luigi Tenco and the singer-songwriter tradition

The event is organized by the Luigi Tenco Association - Ricaldone, established in 1995 to promote singer-songwriter music in a region that has contributed so much to Italian music. It is not just about Tenco, but the entire songwriting tradition: each edition blends major Italian music stars with emerging talent, featuring artists over the years such as Premiata Forneria Marconi and Francesco Renga.

The 2026 edition: the 31st anniversary

The 31st edition takes place from July 11th to 19th, 2026, with six evenings spread across the cellars and squares of Ricaldone. Announced guests include Cristiano De André, performing on July 19th on the stage set up at the Cantina Tre Secoli with his "De André canta De André - Best of Tour", alongside Marina Rei, DJ and producer Mario Fargetta, the soul-jazz-blues band Sample Gee, and many other performers, in a program that alternates concerts, DJ sets, and an evening dedicated to the music and folklore of the Macedonian community.

Music, wine, and flavors of Monferrato

What makes L'Isola in Collina a special event is its setting: concerts are held in the charming historic wine cellars of the village and in the town squares, where music is paired with tastings of great Monferrato wines and the flavors of Piedmontese cuisine. This formula attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the small village every year, making the event one of the most enduring and iconic musical festivals in Piedmont.

Why it's worth attending

• A historic festival, founded in 1992 and now in its 31st edition
• Great names in Italian singer-songwriter music in an intimate, cozy village setting
• Concerts in cellars and squares, surrounded by the vineyards and hills of Monferrato
• Tastings of local wines and typical products from the Alessandria area
• The authenticity of an event deeply connected to the legacy of Luigi Tenco