Septenote

At the Maggio Fiorentino the complete Beethoven Quartets

The third edition of "Seven Springs - the sound of Holden" kicks off in Turin. At La Scala "Pelléas et Mélisande" directed by Castellucci

by Angelo Curtolo

20 April 2026

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

In Florence, the 88th Maggio Fiorentino Festival presents the 'Maggio Aperto' review: a project that transforms the theatre into the heart of an extraordinary musical ecosystem of collaborations, in which the territory's major musical organisations take part.

In Turin, Scuola Holden presents the third edition of 'Seven Springs - the sound of Holden', with an innovative way of presenting music and interaction between audience and performers.

Festival del “Maggio Fiorentino”

Florence

As part of the Maggio Fiorentino festival, there are numerous "Maggio aperto" initiatives: among these we highlight the complete Beethoven Quartets, presented in collaboration with the Amici della Musica. Beginning on 24 April, and then on 28, 30 and 5, 9 (4 pm), 21 May, at 8 pm in the Choir Room of the Maggio Theatre. 'Beethoven 199' is the title, anticipating the celebrations (in 2027) for the 200th anniversary of his death. The performers: Quatuor Van Kuijk, Fibonacci String Quartet, Adorno Quartet, Aviv Quartet, Quartet Integra, Quartet Noûs. The artistic director of the Amici della Musica, Andrea Lucchesini: "Beethoven's music is a constant presence in concert halls, but certainly in 2027 the bicentenary will bring a flood of programming. The Friends of Music in Florence are playing in advance and proposing 'Beethoven 199'.

La terza edizione di “Seven Springs – Il suono della Holden”

Torino

On 28 April, the third edition of "Seven Springs - The Sound of Holden", an innovative musical event, kicks off at the Scuola Holden: 45 minutes of music (starting at 7 p.m.) and 20 dedicated to open dialogue between audience and musicians. There are seven concerts, at seven o'clock in the evening, tickets for seven euros. This journey into improvisation begins with "Ravel vs John Zorn": the magnetic voice of soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan - winner of a Grammy Award - meets the piano of Bertrand Chamayou to explore the boundaries of sound complexity, interpreting "Jumalattaret", a song cycle inspired by the Finnish epic poem Kalevala, written by Zorn for the singer herself.

Milan

On 22-26-30 April and 3-6-9 May, La Scala will be staging Claude Debussy's opera 'Pelléas et Mélisande', based on Maurice Maeterlink's symbolist drama; one of the greatest achievements of musical theatre. The La Scala stage recalls outstanding productions, such as de Sabata's conductions in 1948 and 1953, Karajan's in 1962, Abbado's with Vitez directing, while Georges Prêtre conducted the 1973, 1977 and 2005 editions. Today he conducts Maxime Pascal, one of the most engaging French conductors, who has conducted important contemporary titles at La Scala. The staging sees the La Scala debut of Romeo Castellucci, a leading Italian director, regularly invited to major European theatres and festivals, whose conception of a sacred and visionary theatre, deeply rooted in the history of art, promises a precious encounter with the symbolism of Debussy's work. Castellucci comments: "His is a theatre of the ineffable, which communicates by concealing itself. It is undeniable the fascination I feel for the Maeterlinck sphinx, which before this occasion I have never dared to stage, as it is too close to my feeling. Too intimate, too much of a brother."

One hour before the start of each performance, an introductory lecture on the opera, given by Liana Püschel, will be held in the Ridotto dei Palchi.

The opera will be broadcast live on LaScalaTv on 30 April at 7.45pm. After the live broadcast, the video will remain available on demand until 7 May.

RadioTre “Lezioni di Musica”

RadioTre Rai

Six episodes of the "Music Lessons" dedicated to the six Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin by J.S.Bach have recently ended and can be listened to again on RaiPlaySound. Wonderfully guiding us through the discovery of these masterpieces is composer Luca Mosca. The 'Lessons' help listeners to understand the various pieces, with captivating language and comments also during the performance of the music. They range from the exploration of entire symphonic or chamber music cycles to the great composers of the 20th century and the music of recent years; many examples, often performed live on the piano, are followed by listening to the piece.