Italy's Barletta Piano Festival and Stresa Festival showcase classical concerts

The Barletta Piano Festival held on 22 July featured a four‑hand piano recital by Brigitte Meyer and Magdalena Hirsz. The program included Schubert’s Fantasia in C‑minor D.940, Chopin’s Variations in D‑major on a Thomas Moore theme, and Rachmaninov’s Six Pieces Op. 11.

Later in the week, the Stresa Festival presented a concert on Isola Madre with the Spanish saxophone quartet Kebyart. Tickets included ferry transport; in inclement weather the event moved to the Stresa Festival Hall. The ensemble performed works by Jörg Widmann, arrangements of Rameau’s Suite in E‑minor and Schubert’s Fantasia in F‑minor D.940, among other pieces.

Both festivals underline the vitality of Italy’s summer classical‑music scene, drawing international artists and offering diverse repertoire that blends traditional masters with contemporary interpretations.