MusicaRiva Festival
The premier classical music festival in the Upper Garda Trentino region
About MusicaRiva Festival
A festival that weaves together lake, music, and education
The MusicaRiva Festival is one of the longest-running and most acclaimed musical events in Trentino-Alto Adige. Founded in 1985, it enlivens the Municipality of Riva del Garda and the entire Upper Garda district every summer with a program that combines top-tier concerts with an international summer school for advanced studies. Over the years, the festival has established itself as a bridge between the great classical repertoire and new generations of musicians, attracting artists and students from across Europe and beyond.
A program spanning from Baroque to contemporary
The programming is intentionally eclectic: it ranges from grand symphonies to solo recitals, from the Baroque music of Monteverdi and Cavalli to the works of Beethoven, Mozart, and 20th-century scores, all the way to the tango of Astor Piazzolla and fusions with rock, pop, and electronic music. The festival also features world premieres and specially commissioned compositions, making it a laboratory for creativity rather than just a repertoire showcase.
A stage spread across the territory
The heart of the event is the town of Riva del Garda, in the province of Trento, with venues such as the Auditorium San Giuseppe, Palazzo Martini, the Cortile della Rocca, the Grand Hotel Liberty, and various spots along the lakefront. However, the festival extends beyond the town, reaching numerous municipalities in the Upper Garda and Lower Trentino areas, bringing music into villas, parks, convents, beaches, and historic villages. This itinerant dimension is one of MusicaRiva's hallmarks, creating a dialogue between grand concerts and the landscape of Lake Garda and the Trentino Alps.
Education and young talent
Alongside the concerts, the festival hosts annual masterclasses and advanced courses led by world-class instructors, focusing on orchestral conducting, voice, piano, violin, and other instruments. Many of the students perform during the festival evenings, fostering the continuous intergenerational exchange that lies at the heart of the event's philosophy.
A summer highlight in Trentino-Alto Adige
With hundreds of artists involved, dozens of venues, and thousands of spectators each year, the MusicaRiva Festival represents one of the key cultural events of the summer in Trentino-Alto Adige. For those visiting Lake Garda between July and August, it is the ideal opportunity to combine a lakeside holiday with the discovery of great music in evocative settings.
MusicaRiva Festival — edition 2026
MusicaRiva Festival 2026: the 42nd edition
The 42nd edition of the MusicaRiva Festival takes place from July 18th to August 1st, 2026, featuring 15 days of music between Lake Garda, the squares, and the villages of the Upper Garda Trentino. The program includes 27 concerts, over 300 artists, and about 20 locations spread across 8 municipalities in the region, from Riva del Garda to Arco, from Tenno to Nago-Torbole.
Main events
The opening concert features the Orchestra Sinfonica delle Alpi, conducted by Markus Stenz, in a tribute to the centenary of Hans Werner Henze. Highlights include the Baroque concert with the ensemble Officina Musicale and contralto Sonia Prina, the world premiere of "From Baroque to Rock" by Roberto Molinelli for over thirty accordions with Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi, the contemporary dance show "Crossed Paths" (Percorsi incrociati), and the closing event "EuroBalkan" with original arrangements by Lorenzo Bellini.
Education and venues
The 2026 masterclasses feature international instructors for orchestral conducting, Baroque singing, violin, piano, and accordion. The first week enlivens the heart of Riva del Garda, with Palazzo Martini, the Grand Hotel Liberty, the Cortile della Rocca, the Auditorium San Giuseppe, and various lakefront locations.
Programme MusicaRiva Festival 2026
2026 Program (selection)
- July 18th - Opening concert: Orchestra Sinfonica delle Alpi conducted by Markus Stenz, tribute to Hans Werner Henze
- Baroque concert with the ensemble Officina Musicale and contralto Sonia Prina
- World premiere of "From Baroque to Rock" by Roberto Molinelli for over 30 accordions with Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi
- Contemporary dance "Crossed Paths" with Azioni Fuori Posto Pluraldanza and music by Manuel Marocchi
- Sunrise concert "The Song of Bread" with the Ensemble de la Paix
- August 1st - Closing event "EuroBalkan" with original arrangements by Lorenzo Bellini
Highlights MusicaRiva Festival 2026
- 27 concerts in 15 days
- Over 300 artists involved
- About 20 locations in 8 municipalities of the Upper Garda Trentino
- Repertoire from Baroque to contemporary, from tango to dance
- International masterclasses
Prices MusicaRiva Festival 2026
Practical information — MusicaRiva Festival
How to get there
Riva del Garda can be reached by car via the A22 Brenner motorway (exit Rovereto Sud - Lago di Garda Nord), from where you continue towards the Upper Garda. The nearest train station is Rovereto, which is connected to Riva del Garda by regular bus lines. The most convenient airports are Verona-Villafranca and Bergamo-Orio al Serio.
Tickets
The festival adopts an accessible pricing policy with discounted rates based on age: free for children up to 6 years old, people with disabilities, and masterclass students; reduced rates for youth, seniors over 70, and members; full-price tickets for adults. Advance tickets are available on the festival's online ticketing platform.
Tips
Many events take place outdoors, on the lakefront, or in historic courtyards: it is recommended to check the venue and time for each individual concert on the official program and to book accommodation in advance, given the high volume of summer tourism on Lake Garda.
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Where does it take place — MusicaRiva Festival
Auditorium San Giuseppe
Viale della Liberazione 7, 38066 Riva del Garda