Suoni della Majella Festival

An international festival at the foot of the Majella

The Suoni della Majella Festival takes place every summer in Pretoro, a medieval village in the province of Chieti nestled in the Majella National Park, in the heart of Abruzzo. Founded in 2015 by clarinetist Mirco Bussi and organized by the Mikrokosmos Cultural Musical Association, the festival has quickly become one of the region's premier cultural events, attracting artists and students from all over the world.

Masterclasses and advanced musical training

The core of the event is its educational mission. Each year, about sixty young musicians from the United States, Europe, Italy, and beyond reside in the village of Pretoro for an intensive week of study. The masterclasses, led by internationally renowned instructors, cover a wide range of disciplines:

• Piano
• Clarinet and bass clarinet
• Flute
• Modern ensemble music workshop (jazz, rock, and pop)

Students live immersed in the local community, fostering a continuous dialogue between high-level training and daily village life, in line with the founder's philosophy: to nurture new generations of musicians by rewarding talent and merit.

Concerts in local landmarks

The educational program is accompanied by a rich season of free public concerts, which bring to life squares, churches, and natural settings of great historical and scenic value. Performances are held primarily in Piazza Roma in Pretoro, but the festival also reaches the neighboring towns of Guardiagrele and Bucchianico, as well as evocative locations like the Majelletta plateau. Among the most anticipated moments are the dawn concert in Piazza Roma, the forest concert, and evenings dedicated to clarinet ensembles and open-air piano duets.

Pretoro and the Majella

Perched on a rocky spur at an altitude of over 600 meters, Pretoro is one of the most characteristic villages on the eastern side of the Majella, famous for its traditional woodcarving craftsmanship. The festival celebrates this heritage by blending great music with the charm of medieval streets, churches, and mountain vistas, offering visitors an experience that weaves together culture, nature, and Abruzzese hospitality.