In addition to the Academy, the Composition Lab for Historical Keyboards, and a variety of educational workshops, the centerpiece of the summer program offered by the Smarano International Academy APS is the Smarano Academy Music Festival — a vibrant series of events built around five thematic strands. The festival brings together internationally renowned performers and emerging talents in a rich and wide-ranging musical dialogue.

The first strand, “I Concerti dell’Accademia” (“Academy Concerts”), features a series of recitals for organ, clavichord, harpsichord, and fortepiano, performed by the faculty of the Academy’s Advanced Training courses held in L’Aquila and Smarano from July 25 to August 28. Highlights include performances in L’Aquila by Hans Davidsson (July 25) and Bernard Foccroulle (July 26), with Foccroulle returning to perform in Smarano on July 29. On July 30, a commemorative concert in honor of Edoardo Maria Bellotti will be held at the Academy’s Concert Hall, featuring performances by numerous Academy professors. The series continues on July 31 in the Basilica of Sanzeno with a harpsichord and organ concert by Salvatore Carchiolo and William Porter. On August 2, Joel Speerstra and Ulrika Davidsson will present a program featuring clavichord, harpsichord, and fortepiano. The following day (August 3), Alessandro Albenga and Enrico Baiano will take the stage in Smarano. The cycle concludes on August 4 with the final concert of the Academy students, held in both the Church and the Concert Hall of Smarano.

The second strand, “Innesti” (“Grafts”), explores the intersection of music and visual art through silent film screenings with live musical accompaniment. On August 8, “Häxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages” by Benjamin Christensen (Sweden, 1922) will be presented with a live score by Simone Vebber. On August 21, “Intolerance” by D.W. Griffith (USA, 1916 – selected chapters) will be screened, featuring live music by Franz Danksagmüller.

The third strand, “Incontri” (“Encounters”), broadens the dialogue between early and classical music. On August 13, the Nicolò d’Arco Vocal Ensemble will perform, followed on August 16 by Ensemble L’Architasto, featuring Elena Bianchi, Giovanna Barbati, Chiara Tiboni, and Mara Galassi. On August 28, the string ensemble of the Haydn Orchestra of Bolzano and Trento will be featured guests.

The fourth strand, “Musica a corte” (“Music at Court”), brings early music to the historic castles of Val di Non. On August 19, Andrea Buccarella (harpsichord) and Lina Tur Bonet (violin) will perform at Castel Thun. On August 26, Costantino Mastroprimiano (fortepiano) will be joined by a narrator for a concert at Castel Valer. Both events include guided castle tours in collaboration with APT Val di Non and the Castles of Buonconsiglio network, along with local tasting experiences curated by the Apple and Flavour Trail.

All concerts are open to the public with free-will donations.

Through this rich and diverse program, the Smarano International Academy reaffirms its role as a dynamic and forward-looking cultural institution—combining musical excellence with deep engagement in the cultural life of the region.