Note sull'acqua Festival – Vespers-Concerts
Sacred and classical music vespers-concerts at the parish church of Lamporo
About Note sull'acqua
A musical journey among the rice fields of Vercelli
In the heart of the rice-growing plains, just a few kilometers from the Po River, the town of Lamporo (Province of Vercelli, Piedmont) preserves a discreet yet enduring musical tradition: the Note sull'acqua festival. This series of vespers-concerts takes place throughout the year in the parish church of San Bernardo. The name evokes the element that has always defined this corner of Piedmont, where the water of the rice paddies shapes the landscape and marks the passing of the seasons.
Vespers and concert: music and reflection
The festival's format combines the dimension of vespers—a time for prayer and meditation—with that of a concert. Each event invites the audience to experience great sacred and classical music in an atmosphere of quiet reflection within the walls of the parish church. The repertoire is broad, ranging from the Baroque pages of Handel and Albinoni to the masses and oratorios of Rossini and Pergolesi, and from the Romantic piano works of Schubert, Liszt, Chopin, and Schumann to 19th-century French composers and rare gems for flute and piano.
The performers
At the heart of the festival is the San Bernardo Parish Choir, featuring soloists including sopranos Carla Fappani and Laura Rosso, mezzo-soprano Nicoletta Martinotti, and baritone Roberto Fusano, accompanied by organist Federico Villani. The choral performances alternate with recitals by guest musicians, such as Vercelli-based pianist Enrico Cerfoglio, who brings monographic programs and curated musical itineraries to Lamporo.
Annual events
- Spring Vespers — during Lent, featuring the San Bernardo choir.
- Piano Recital — an auteur journey through the works of Albéniz, Debussy, Liszt, and Schubert.
- Vespers-Concert for the Patronal Feast of San Bernardo — the most cherished event for the local community.
- Saint Cecilia Concert — in honor of the patron saint of music.
- Christmas Vespers-Concert and New Year's Eve Vespers — to close and open the year.
A community gathering
Organized by the parish with the patronage of the Municipality of Lamporo, Note sull'acqua is, above all, a gathering for the local community and for those from the surrounding Vercelli villages who appreciate high-quality music in an intimate and authentic setting. Admission is free to all events, in keeping with the spirit of sharing that drives the festival.
Note sull'acqua — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Note sull'acqua festival maintained its successful format at the San Bernardo parish church in Lamporo (VC), with events scheduled between spring and early summer, all with free admission.
The season opened with the Spring Vespers-Concert during Lent, while the mid-season recital featured an exceptional guest soloist. The festival concluded with the vespers dedicated to the patron saint, the most heartfelt moment for the Lamporo community.
Programme Note sull'acqua 2026
Saturday, March 21, 2026 — Spring Vespers-Concert (4:30 PM)
A sacred music program for the Lenten season featuring soloists from the San Bernardo Parish Choir: sopranos Carla Fappani and Laura Rosso, mezzo-soprano Nicoletta Martinotti, baritone Roberto Fusano, and Federico Villani on the organ.
- Rossini — Petite Messe Solennelle
- Pergolesi — Stabat Mater
- Albinoni — Adagio
- Schumann — movement from Symphony No. 3 "Spring" transcribed for organ
- Grieg — Morning Mood
Saturday, April 11, 2026 — Piano Recital (9:00 PM)
Featuring Vercelli-based pianist Enrico Cerfoglio in a "fantastic journey" from Andalusia to Brittany, from medieval Umbria to German Romanticism.
- Isaac Albéniz — Andalusian pages
- Claude Debussy — preludes inspired by Brittany
- Franz Liszt — Légendes (including "St. Francis of Assisi Preaching to the Birds")
- Franz Schubert — Wanderer-Fantasie
Saturday, June 13, 2026 — Vespers-Concert for the Patronal Feast of San Bernardo (4:30 PM)
Held during the festivities for the patron saint, featuring soloists from the San Bernardo Parish Choir. The program ranges from the Baroque to the 19th century, including Handel, Mozart, Chopin, Verdi, and Puccini, with lyrical pieces and rare gems for flute and piano.
Highlights Note sull'acqua 2026
Prices Note sull'acqua 2026
Practical information — Note sull'acqua
Location
Parish church of San Bernardo, Lamporo (VC), Piedmont. Lamporo is a small town in the Vercelli plains, near the border with the Canavese area and the Piedmontese bank of the Po River.
How to get there
By car: from the A4 Turin-Milan motorway, take the Greggio or Santhià exit, then follow local roads to Lamporo. By train: the nearest stations are Livorno Ferraris or Santhià, on the Turin-Milan line, from where you can continue by car.
Admission
Free admission to all festival events.
When
Events are spread throughout the year: spring, the patronal feast (June), Saint Cecilia's Day (November), Christmas, and New Year. It is recommended to check updated dates and times in the local Vercelli press before each event.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Note sull'acqua
Chiesa parrocchiale di San Bernardo