Young Pianists Festival

The Young Pianists Festival in Santa Maria Capua Vetere

The Young Pianists Festival is one of the longest-running musical events in the town of Santa Maria Capua Vetere, in the province of Caserta, Campania. Held in early January as part of the local Franciscan community's Christmas festivities, the event transforms the San Francesco Auditorium of the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent into a concert hall dedicated to the region's young instrumentalists for an afternoon.

A showcase designed for the youth

The event is organized by the Centro Culturale Sammaritano, presided over by Franciscan friar Berardo Buonanno. The spirit is not competitive: there are no rankings or cash prizes, but rather a desire to foster a love for music among the younger generations. Students from music schools and conservatories are offered a real stage in front of an attentive audience, providing a valuable experience for those at a stage in their training where performing outside the classroom is a significant milestone. Over the years, the festival has hosted nearly four hundred students, many of whom have gone on to become established musicians, making it one of the most followed regional events in the sector.

The musical program

While the piano is the central theme, the program is open to other instruments: recent editions have featured violin and guitar performances, with piano accompaniment provided by the teachers themselves. The repertoire spans diverse eras and is tailored each year to the skills of the individual students.

• Great Classical Repertoire: Pieces by Beethoven and Chopin, the backbone of piano training.
• European 19th Century: Works by Strauss and salon music, which are more accessible to the general public.
• Contemporary Composers: Compositions by Ludovico Einaudi and modern authors, which are very popular among the students.
• Mixed Ensembles: Violin and piano duos, guitar solos, and four-hand piano pieces.

Each participant receives a commemorative parchment, a simple gesture that concludes the afternoon and emphasizes the spirit of a shared celebration rather than an examination.

Who takes the stage

The performers come from Santa Maria Capua Vetere and various towns in the province of Caserta: Capua, Casapulla, Caserta, Curti, Marcianise, and Mondragone. These young musicians are guided by local music teachers and, in some cases, are already conservatory students. The evening is presented by local voices who guide the audience through the program, explaining the composers and works—a choice that makes the afternoon accessible even to those not accustomed to classical music.

The venue: the Franciscan convent

The San Francesco Auditorium is located on via Convento delle Grazie, within the Friars Minor complex. It is an intimate space with acoustics well-suited for the piano and a limited capacity; the audience sits close to the performers, maintaining a familiar atmosphere often shared by families and teachers. Its timing between Christmas and Epiphany makes the festival a staple of the holiday season for the local community.

Santa Maria Capua Vetere and the surrounding area

Santa Maria Capua Vetere stands on the site of ancient Capua, a city considered second only to Rome in Roman times. Here, you can find the Campanian Amphitheatre—second in size only to the Colosseum and linked to the Spartacus revolt—and the Mithraeum with its ancient frescoes. The city is just a few kilometers from Caserta and its Royal Palace, making it easy to combine the concert with a day of sightseeing in the province. In a region like Campania, where major festivals are concentrated between spring and summer, this winter event occupies a unique space defined by proximity, education, and listening.

Good to know

• Typical period: The very first days of January, often in the afternoon.
• Duration: A single afternoon event.
• Audience: Suitable for families, young people, and classical music enthusiasts.
• Limited seating: It is advisable to arrive early.