Val Tidone Festival — Raphael Gualazzi Trio (San Nicolò)

A notable concert in the heart of Val Tidone

The Val Tidone Festival returns to Rottofreno, a municipality in the province of Piacenza, for one of the most anticipated evenings of its 28th edition. The event takes place on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 9:15 PM, in Piazza Togliatti, in the hamlet of San Nicolò, where the Raphael Gualazzi Trio will perform. The festival is organized by the Val Tidone Musica Foundation and continues to be one of the most prestigious musical events in Emilia-Romagna, capable of bringing major Italian and international artists to the small towns of the Piacenza area.

Raphael Gualazzi and his trio

One of the most acclaimed pianists, singer-songwriters, and composers on the Italian scene, Raphael Gualazzi will perform in San Nicolò with his trio, accompanied by Anders Ulrich on double bass and Gianluca Nanni on drums. The project offers a refined tribute to acoustic music, a journey that spans from the African-American repertoire to themes from Italian songwriting and operatic music, as well as the artist's original compositions. An evening that blends jazz, soul, and singer-songwriter styles with the elegance and piano virtuosity that have made Gualazzi famous on stages across Europe.

A festival spread across the territory

The Val Tidone Festival 2026 runs from June 7 to October 16 with 17 concerts and involves twelve municipalities in Val Tidone and Val Luretta — including Rottofreno, Agazzano, Borgonovo Val Tidone, Calendasco, Castel San Giovanni, Gazzola, Gragnano Trebbiense, Pianello Val Tidone, Piozzano, Sarmato, Ziano Piacentino, and Alta Val Tidone — as well as the city of Piacenza. Under the artistic direction of Livio Bollani, the 2026 edition features artists such as Paolo Jannacci, Nada, Danilo Rea, Petra Magoni, and Dirotta su Cuba, intertwining artistic excellence with a focus on the territory.

A free outdoor event

Like all festival events (except for the concert at the Teatro Municipale in Piacenza), the Rottofreno evening is free admission until seats are filled and without reservation. In case of bad weather, the concert will be postponed, with the new date announced on the website and social media channels of the Val Tidone Musica Foundation. The setting of Piazza Togliatti, outdoors and within the village, offers an intimate and cozy atmosphere, ideal for appreciating the trio's acoustic music.

Why it's worth it

• A concert by a nationally recognized artist just a short distance from Piacenza.
• Quality acoustic music blending jazz, soul, and singer-songwriter styles.
• Free admission in an open-air square in Val Tidone.
• A summer evening that celebrates a small village in Emilia-Romagna.