Villa Pennisi in Musica
Classical music festival and international summer school in Acireale
About VPM Festival
Villa Pennisi in Musica: Two weeks of chamber music in Acireale
In the heart of summer, the baroque town of Acireale—overlooking the Ionian Sea in the province of Catania, at the foot of Mount Etna—hosts Villa Pennisi in Musica, one of Sicily's most original classical music festivals. This is far more than a simple concert series: VPM is a true creative laboratory that blends high-level education with cultural engagement, drawing students and artists from across the globe every year.
An international summer school
The festival is built around a prestigious summer school. Alongside the concerts, three educational paths define the unique identity of VPM:
- MusicLAB — Chamber music and instrumental masterclasses, where young musicians study and perform side-by-side with internationally renowned teachers.
- ArchLAB — An architectural workshop where students design and build the ReS (Resonant String Shell), an award-winning wooden acoustic shell that serves as the concert stage in the gardens of Villa Pennisi.
- photoLAB — A photography workshop that documents the life of the festival through images.
A program spread across Acireale
The festival unfolds in two phases. During the first week, concerts venture outside the villa, animating local landmarks: churches and basilicas such as the Basilica Collegiata di San Sebastiano, historic estates, villas, farms, and coastal villages as far as Acitrezza. In the second week, the festival returns home to the gardens of Villa Pennisi, where the main concerts take place under the ReS acoustic shell.
Borderless music
Conceived and directed by violinist David Romano and organized by the Avos Project, VPM is driven by a philosophy of music that transcends boundaries: chamber and symphonic repertoires engage with cinema, theater, architecture, and photography. The stage features a mix of established soloists and young talents selected from the masterclasses, creating a continuous dialogue between teaching and performance.
A festival for everyone
A hallmark of Villa Pennisi in Musica is that all concerts are free of charge, making great chamber music accessible to the local community of Acireale and the many tourists flocking to the Ionian coast in August. For those visiting eastern Sicily, VPM offers a unique way to experience the baroque city, filled with music, ephemeral architecture, and enchanting evening atmospheres.
VPM Festival — edition 2026
Villa Pennisi in Musica 2026 — 17th Edition
The seventeenth edition of Villa Pennisi in Musica takes place in Acireale from July 31st to August 13th, 2026, under the artistic direction of violinist David Romano and organized by the Avos Project. Two weeks where advanced training and concerts intertwine in a journey that begins in the local area and culminates in the gardens of Villa Pennisi.
Alongside the concert program, the three workshops that define the festival's identity continue: MusicLAB with chamber music masterclasses, ArchLAB for the construction of the ReS acoustic shell, and photoLAB directed by Flavio Ianniello. All concerts are free to attend.
Programme VPM Festival 2026
First Week — Itinerant (July 31st - August 7th)
Concerts are held in various churches, basilicas, historic homes, and local districts.
- Friday, August 1st, 9:00 PM — Basilica of San Sebastiano — Symphonic event with Mario Montore on piano and the Aci Pro Arte Orchestra: Chopin's Piano Concerto, followed by film scores by Morricone and Rota.
- August 2nd-3rd — Concerts with the Trio Amal and Trio Alea.
- August 4th — Gianluca Campo (flute, Teatro La Fenice) and Mario Montore.
- August 5th-6th — Concerts by students and participants of the Avos Project masterclasses.
Second Week — Villa Pennisi Gardens (August 8th - 13th)
- Friday, August 8th, 9:00 PM — Inaugural concert "Once Upon a Time..." with the Sestetto Stradivari, an ensemble of professors from the Accademia di Santa Cecilia; featuring Bruckner's Quintet and "Five Miniatures" by Carlo Boccadoro.
- August 9th — Crossover concert with Duo Baldo.
- August 10th — "WPWB | Wanna Play With Bea?" with Beatrice Rana, Massimo Spada, Giulia Cellacchi, and Christiana Coppola.
- August 11th — "Sweetly Whispered" with Mario Montore and David Romano, featuring the premiere of a Sonata by Ezio Bosso.
- August 12th — "The Sky and the Moon" with the Quartetto Klem.
- August 13th — "With Gusto", an evening dedicated to Brahms with Salvatore Quaranta, Massimo Spada, David Romano, Diego Romano, and Carlotta Libonati.
Full program and updates available on the official website www.vpmusica.com.
Highlights VPM Festival 2026
Prices VPM Festival 2026
Practical information — VPM Festival
Getting there
Acireale is located along the Ionian coast, about 15 km north of Catania. By car, it can be reached via the A18 Messina-Catania motorway (Acireale exit). By train, the Acireale station is served by the Messina-Catania-Siracusa line. The nearest airport is Catania-Fontanarossa, approximately 25 km away.
Venues
The main concerts are held in the gardens of Villa Pennisi, at Piazza Agostino Pennisi 29, Acireale. During the first week, the festival is spread across various churches, basilicas, historic homes, and local districts.
Tickets
All concerts are free. For the evening performances at Villa Pennisi (August 8th–13th), booking is mandatory via the official website www.vpmusica.com or by emailing [email protected].
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Where does it take place — VPM Festival
Villa Pennisi
Piazza Agostino Pennisi 29, 95024 Acireale