Rassegna dell'Arpa Viggianese

The harp, soul of Viggiano

The Rassegna dell'Arpa Viggianese celebrates the deepest identity of Viggiano, a village in the Val d'Agri in the province of Potenza, known as the City of Harp and Music. Here, between the 18th and 19th centuries, the extraordinary tradition of Viggianese harpists flourished; these travelling musicians brought the instrument and Lucanian folk music throughout Europe and the world. The festival was created to preserve and revive this unique heritage.

A festival with international scope

Now in its many editions, the event is considered one of the longest-running and most significant harp events internationally. Harpists and musicians of world-class calibre take to the stage of the Miggiano Theatre, with concerts, ensembles, duos, and trios spanning classical music, jazz, folk, and more contemporary fusions. Alongside the concerts, the programme features masterclasses, courses, exhibitions, and discussions on the history of the harp.

The Civic School of Folk Harp

The heart of the project is the Civic School of Folk Harp of Viggiano, which presents its annual recital as part of the festival, and the Ensemble of the Viggianese Harp, a group that brings together students and local musicians. It is tangible proof of how the harp tradition is still alive and passed down to new generations in Viggiano.

Experiencing Viggiano in summer

Organised by the Associazione Arpa Viggianese with the Municipality of Viggiano, the festival is the ideal opportunity to discover a village with a unique musical vocation, nestled in the landscapes of the Val d'Agri. Evenings of great music, in the name of an instrument that has become a symbol of an entire community.