Magnano Early Music Festival

A landmark festival for early music in Piedmont

The Magnano Early Music Festival is one of the longest-running and most acclaimed events dedicated to early music in Italy. Established in 1986 by a group of enthusiasts, it takes place every summer in the municipality of Magnano, a small village in the Province of Biella, Piedmont, famous for its evocative medieval Ricetto. The 2026 summer season marks the 41st edition of an event that has successfully captured a loyal audience from both Italy and abroad.

Venues: historic churches and the medieval Ricetto

Concerts are held in some of the village's most fascinating locations. The Romanesque Church of San Secondo, a stunning example of Romanesque architecture nestled in the greenery outside the town, hosts most of the evening performances. Other events take place in the Parish Church of Saints Giovanni Battista and Secondo and within the spaces of the medieval Ricetto, the ancient heart of Magnano. The acoustics of these buildings and the glow of candlelight create an ideal setting for listening to early repertoire.

The repertoire

The programming spans centuries of music history, featuring pieces composed between the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Baroque period, and the early 18th century, performed on period instruments or philological copies: viola da gamba, lute, theorbo, harp, harpsichord, organ, recorders, shawms, and cornetts. Each year, the festival invites internationally renowned ensembles and soloists, complementing the concert series with advanced masterclasses.

A tradition of the Biellese

More than just a musical review, the festival has become an opportunity to discover the historical and landscape heritage of Magnano and the entire Biella territory. The combination of classical music, medieval architecture, and hilly landscapes makes it a cultural event capable of attracting thousands of spectators every summer. The 2025 edition exceeded 2,200 attendees, confirming the growing popularity of the event.

How to attend

Concerts are generally held on Friday and Saturday evenings at 9:00 PM. Admission is free with a donation, but seating is limited: booking is highly recommended. Reserved seats are guaranteed until a few minutes before the start of the concert.