Lakescapes 12th Edition: Tower of Songs (Leonard Cohen Tribute)
A musical and spoken-word portrait dedicated to Leonard Cohen, on the San Colombano hill in Briga Novarese
About Tower of Songs - Lakescapes
Tower of Songs: Leonard Cohen on the San Colombano hill
Tower of Songs is the performance that the Accademia dei Folli company dedicates to the figure of Leonard Cohen, taking the stage on Friday, July 3, 2026, on the evocative San Colombano hill in Briga Novarese, in the heart of the province of Novara, Piedmont. The evening is part of Lakescapes, the Lake Maggiore site-specific theatre festival, which reaches its twelfth edition in 2026.
A concert-theatre portrait
The show is conceived as a concert-theatre portrait: an intimate and immersive journey into the poetic and musical universe of one of the 20th century's greatest singer-songwriters. Through the notes of songs that have made history and the stories that illuminate his biography, the audience is guided through the human and artistic journey of Cohen, a poet even before being a musician. The artistic direction of the festival is led by Carlo Roncaglia.
Lakescapes, the site-specific theatre of Lake Maggiore
Lakescapes is a touring festival that brings performances out of traditional theatres and into hills, historic villages, churches, and scenic spots overlooking Lake Maggiore. The 2026 12th edition features 18 events from May to November, spread across seven municipalities: Briga Novarese, Colazza, Dormelletto, Lesa, Meina, Mergozzo, and Sesto Calende. The program alternates between revisited classics, music-theatre shows, itinerant white nights, and lecture-performances.
San Colombano, a place to discover
The San Colombano hill overlooks the town of Briga Novarese and is one of the festival's iconic locations: a natural setting that enhances the open-air theatre experience and engages with music and words. Attending a show in this context means experiencing culture while immersed in the landscape of Upper Piedmont, just a few kilometres from the lake shores.
2026 Festival Program
- Classic Reloaded: Madame Bovary, I promessi sposi reloaded, Faust.a
- Music-Theatre: Tower of Songs (Leonard Cohen), Se me lo dicevi prima (Jannacci/Guccini), Tutte le donne di Fred (Buscaglione)
- Itinerant White Nights: Una notte da favola, Night safari
- Prose: Ribot il magnifico, Sherlock Holmes, JC - la storia di Jesse Owens, A.I. AbbastanzaIntelligente
- Special Event: Il cantico delle cose, at the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso
Tower of Songs - Lakescapes — edition 2026
Tower of Songs 2026
The show dedicated to Leonard Cohen takes the stage on July 3, 2026, on the San Colombano hill in Briga Novarese (NO). An intimate and immersive journey into the singer-songwriter's poetic and musical universe, featuring songs and stories, produced by the Accademia dei Folli.
This event is one of the 18 scheduled for the 12th edition of Lakescapes, taking place from May to November 2026 in seven municipalities of Upper Piedmont overlooking Lake Maggiore.
Programme Tower of Songs - Lakescapes 2026
Tower of Songs - Leonard Cohen Tribute
A concert-theatre portrait dedicated to Leonard Cohen, produced by the Accademia dei Folli under the artistic direction of Carlo Roncaglia. A journey through the artist's most famous songs and stories about his life and poetry.
Single date: Friday, July 3, 2026, San Colombano hill, Briga Novarese (NO).
Highlights Tower of Songs - Lakescapes 2026
- Tribute to Leonard Cohen in concert-theatre format
- Open-air setting on the San Colombano hill
- Part of the touring festival Lakescapes, 12th edition
- Produced by Accademia dei Folli, directed by Carlo Roncaglia
Prices Tower of Songs - Lakescapes 2026
Practical information — Tower of Songs - Lakescapes
Location
San Colombano Hill, Briga Novarese (NO), Piedmont. In case of bad weather, the show may be moved to an indoor venue: please check the organization's updates.
How to reach us
By car: Borgomanero (A26) or Arona motorway exit, just a few minutes from Briga Novarese. By train: Borgomanero or Gozzano station on the Novara-Domodossola line, followed by a short drive or local bus.
Tickets
Full price: 17 euros in advance online (oooh.events) or 20 euros at the door; under 30s: 13 euros online or 15 euros at the door; disabled rate: 13 euros with reservation, carers enter for free. A 4-show subscription is also available for 50 euros (online only).
Information
Website: www.accademiadeifolli.com - Ticket office: www.oooh.events - Email: [email protected]
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Where does it take place — Tower of Songs - Lakescapes
Collina di San Colombano