Novi Musica Festival
The classical music season in Novi Ligure, spanning theatres, basilicas, and cloisters
About Novi Musica Festival
A widespread festival in the heart of Piedmont
The Novi Musica Festival is one of the most beloved cultural events in Novi Ligure, located in the province of Alessandria in south-eastern Piedmont. It is a widespread classical music festival that, rather than being concentrated into a few days, accompanies the city throughout the year: from spring until Christmas, the events mark the seasons with a rich and varied calendar.
The festival was born from the vision of the Novi Musica e Cultura association and the artistic direction of Maestro Maurizio Billi, with a clear goal: to bring great music to the most beautiful local venues and to celebrate the legacy of Romualdo Marenco, the Piedmontese composer after whom the city's theatre is named.
Evocative settings for great music
What makes this festival special is the choice of locations. The concerts are not only held at the Teatro Romualdo Marenco, the heart of local cultural life, but also move to spaces of great charm:
- the Basilica della Maddalena and its oratory, for more intimate recitals;
- the Civic Library cloister, the backdrop for summer evenings;
- the Palazzo Cambiaso-Negrotto cloister;
- Piazza Dellepiane, for open-air events and band concerts;
- churches in neighboring towns such as Pozzolo Formigaro and Bosco Marengo, making the festival a truly regional event.
More than just concerts
Alongside the musical program, the Novi Musica Festival offers singing masterclasses with internationally renowned teachers, an international composition competition dedicated to band music and solo instruments, and art exhibitions that engage in a dialogue with the music. It is this cross-pollination of disciplines that gives the event its unique character, weaving together education, creation, and performance.
An event for everyone
One of the most appreciated features of the festival is free admission to almost all events, with booking recommended. This makes it a precious opportunity to approach classical music without barriers, in an intimate and high-quality setting. For those visiting the Oltregiogo and lower Piedmont, the Novi Musica Festival is yet another reason to discover Novi Ligure, its history linked to cycling and Costante Girardengo, and its elegant historic center.
Novi Musica Festival โ edition 2026
The sixth edition of the Novi Musica Festival spans the entire year of 2026, from the inauguration on April 19 to the traditional Winter Gala on December 23. The program alternates between large orchestras, chamber groups, and recitals, touching upon the most evocative locations in Novi Ligure and neighboring towns. The international composition competition and the singing masterclass are confirmed, under the artistic direction of Maestro Maurizio Billi.
Programme Novi Musica Festival 2026
April 19 โ Basilica della Maddalena, Novi Ligure
- 17:30 โ Inauguration of the "Quintessenza" exhibition by sculptor Gianni Noli (Quadreria Maddalena)
- 18:00 โ "Romantic Piano" recital with Sofia Grishcheva (piano), winner of the 2025 Oltregiogo Piano Competition
April 30 โ Teatro Marenco
- Concert by the Orchestra of the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa
May 24 โ Teatro Marenco
- "Rose Concert" with the Torino String Ensemble
June 13 โ Chiesa delle Ghiare, Pozzolo Formigaro
- Concert by the Wiener Salon Quartett
July 16 โ Civic Library Cloister, Novi Ligure
- "Summer in the Cloister" with the Quartetto Saxophonie
Summer โ Piazza Dellepiane, Novi Ligure
- Concert by the National Fire Brigade Band, conducted by Maestro Donato Di Martile, featuring the "Pompieropoli" children's event
August 29 โ Palazzo Cambiaso-Negrotto Cloister, Novi Ligure
- "Summer Gala" with the Excelsior Musica Ensemble, soprano Anna Kazova, tenor Aldo Caputo, and oboist Carlo Romano
September 20 โ Chiesa di Santa Croce, Bosco Marengo
- "Art in Art" with the Duo Virtuoso (violinist Roberto Mazzola, cellist Giulio Glavina)
October 18 โ Teatro Marenco
- "Romantic Traditions between Italy, Poland, and Russia" with Giorgio Vercillo (piano), Francesca Lamborizio (violin), tenor Silvano Santagata, and soprano Virginia Giordano
November 29 โ Teatro Marenco
- "Emotions on Tiptoes", a music and dance show with the Excelsior Musica Ensemble and the Centro Danza Roberta Borello
December 23 โ Teatro Marenco
- "Winter Gala" with the Excelsior Musica Ensemble, violin soloist Giuseppe Gibboni, soprano Anna Kazova, and tenor Aldo Caputo
Side events
- Singing Masterclass (August 30 โ September 1, Relais Villa Pomela) with Aldo Caputo, Anna Kazova, and Maurizio Billi, with piano accompanist Hilary Bassi; final concert on September 1
- Novimusica International Composition Competition, sixth edition: band and trombone soloist sections, application deadline August 12, awards ceremony August 30-31 at the Civic Library
Highlights Novi Musica Festival 2026
Prices Novi Musica Festival 2026
Practical information — Novi Musica Festival
Getting there
Novi Ligure can be reached by car via the A7 Milan-Genoa motorway (Vignole Borbera exit) or the A26. By train, the city is served by the Novi Ligure station on the Genoa-Turin line, with frequent connections from Genoa and Alessandria.
Tickets and reservations
Admission is free for almost all events. For the few ticketed concerts, discounts are available for those over 65 and under 18. Booking is recommended via email at [email protected] or via WhatsApp at +39 380 5827986.
Main venues
Teatro Romualdo Marenco, Basilica della Maddalena, Civic Library cloister, and Palazzo Cambiaso-Negrotto in Novi Ligure; some concerts are held in Pozzolo Formigaro and Bosco Marengo.
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Where does it take place โ Novi Musica Festival
Teatro Romualdo Marenco
Via Girardengo, 15067 Novi Ligure