Monferrato Classic Festival

A classical music festival in Monferrato

The Monferrato Classic Festival (MCF) is one of the most highly regarded classical music events in the Monferrato region, held in the municipality of Cella Monte, in the province of Alessandria (Piedmont). The festival takes place in the intimate and evocative Chiesetta di Sant'Antonio, located in the village's historic center, which has become a true temple of chamber music thanks to its acoustics and cozy atmosphere.

The festival is the result of a long musical tradition that earned Cella Monte the title of "Village of Music." Today, the artistic direction is led by pianist Sabrina Lanzi, who has given new momentum to the festival by integrating it into the broader spring program of the Maggiociondolo event.

Young talent in the spotlight

The heart of the Monferrato Classic Festival is the promotion of young talent in classical music. Each year, the program features dozens of emerging performers, from pianists to string and wind soloists, as well as duos and chamber ensembles. The concerts span from Baroque and classical repertoire to Romantic and 20th-century works, featuring composers such as Chopin, Brahms, Liszt, Debussy, Shostakovich, and Prokofiev.

The 2026 program

The 2026 edition opened on Sunday, May 10th, with the Barbato-Mauro Piano Duo, followed by four Sunday appointments in June:

• June 7th: Antonella Nitti Cosmaola (cello) and Giovanni Pierotti (piano) — music by Brahms, Shostakovich, and Debussy;
• June 14th: Pietro Freiburger (piano) — works by Rautavaara, Liszt, Debussy, and Caneva;
• June 21st: Christian Pastorino (piano) — Chopin, Schumann, Debussy, and Liszt;
• June 28th: Jacopo Doni (piano) — Scarlatti, Debussy, Liszt, Brahms, and Prokofiev.

All concerts begin at 5:30 PM and are accompanied by art exhibitions within the church space.

Art and territory

A unique feature of the festival is the blend of music and visual arts: each edition pairs concerts with exhibitions by local artists, creating a dialogue between sound and image. The festival is also the perfect opportunity to discover Cella Monte and the Monferrato vineyard landscape, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site alongside the Langhe and Roero regions.

A free event

Concerts at the Monferrato Classic Festival are free of charge, designed to introduce the general public to classical music in a welcoming and familiar setting. The event is organized by the Musica e Pensiero APS ETS Association with the support of local institutions and foundations.