Mediterranean International Piano Festival

A festival spanning two cities in Puglia

The Mediterranean International Piano Festival is one of the most ambitious piano events in Southern Italy. Every autumn, it unites the towns of Trani, in the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani, and Bari, the capital of the Puglia region, in a single grand musical journey that spans nearly the entire month of November. The event is organized by the Hermes ETS cultural association in collaboration with the Mediterranean Philharmonic Academy, under the artistic direction of Massimiliano Monopoli and with the support of the Ministry of Culture and the Puglia Region.

The Trani section at the Auditorium San Luigi

The festival kicks off in Trani at the Auditorium San Luigi, a space housed within the ancient church of San Luigi in the heart of the old town. The Trani segment is traditionally dedicated to the stars of the future: young pianists from all over the world who perform in solo recitals, chamber music pieces, and orchestral concerts, fostering a continuous dialogue between training and high-level performance.

A program blending masters and new generations

The festival's formula weaves together two complementary spirits. On one hand, established international concert performers, the stars of the major evening events; on the other, young soloists from the piano schools mentored by the Academy's professors, who find a prestigious showcase here. Alongside the recitals, the program includes:

• piano and orchestra concerts with the Mediterranean Philharmonic;
• chamber music events pairing the piano with other instruments;
• interdisciplinary projects such as Fluxus and Happening, a marathon combining music and performance art;
• study days, forums, and musicological meetings;
• Pianolab masterclasses, advanced training workshops open to students.

Trani, a city of art by the sea

Hosting an international piano festival in Trani is no coincidence: the city, famous for its Romanesque cathedral overlooking the Adriatic and its ancient harbor, offers an ideal setting for classical music. The festival helps promote the cultural heritage of the BT province and integrates Puglia into the circuits of major Mediterranean concert performances, with a vision that looks toward both tradition and contemporary research and languages.