Reggia in Musica

A festival born to revive the historic instruments of the Palace

Reggia in Musica is a classical music festival held in the heart of the Reggia di Colorno, the grand ducal residence in the municipality of Colorno, in the Province of Parma, Emilia-Romagna. The idea behind it is simple and fascinating: instead of bringing concert instruments into a hall, they make playable what the Palace already houses. The protagonists are indeed two historic keyboard instruments of extraordinary value, preserved in the palace's rooms.

The two featured instruments

• The Johann Schanz fortepiano: a Viennese fortepiano built between 1815 and 1820, housed in the music room on the main floor. It comes from Compiano Castle, where it was discovered and purchased in the early sixties; today it is owned by the Fondazione Cariparma and on loan to the Municipality of Colorno. Johann Schanz was one of Haydn and Beethoven's favorite builders, and tradition has it that the instrument belonged to Maria Luigia, Duchess of Parma.
• The Serassi organ: the monumental instrument in the Ducal Chapel of San Liborio, built between 1792 and 1796 by the renowned Serassi family of organ builders from Bergamo.

The format: four Sundays, free admission

The festival consists of four Sunday concerts, held in the Throne Room and the Chapel of San Liborio. Alongside established performers, students from local conservatories—the Arrigo Boito Conservatory of Parma and the Vecchi-Tonelli of Modena—take the stage, in a dialogue between advanced musical training and historical heritage. Admission is free until seats are filled, with reservations recommended.

A collaboration between institutions

Reggia in Musica is promoted by the Antea association with the contribution of the Municipality of Colorno and the Province of Parma, and in collaboration with Fondazione Cariparma, the Arrigo Boito Conservatory, and the Serassi Association. The artistic direction is entrusted to the Duo Savigni (Laura and Enrica Savigni). It is an event designed for lovers of ancient music performed on original instruments, but also for those who wish to discover the Reggia di Colorno in an unusual guise, accompanied by the sound of the instruments for which those pieces were conceived.