PESENTI FOUNDATION

60th Edition of the International Piano Festival of Brescia and Bergamo

In 2023, the International Piano Festival of Brescia and Bergamo celebrated its 60th edition, a significant milestone that coincided with Bergamo and Brescia being named Italian Capitals of Culture. To mark this special occasion, the Festival presented a rich and diverse program dedicated to music.

The 2023 Festival placed particular emphasis on educational projects, in collaboration with the University of Bergamo and the conservatories of both cities. A series of lectures, a concert held in the university’s main hall, and the opportunity for students and professors to attend performances were just some of the ways the Festival engaged with the academic world.

Since its inception, Fondazione Pesenti has collaborated with the International Piano Festival of Brescia and Bergamo. In particular, since 2016, the Foundation has supported all of the Festival’s outreach initiatives in Bergamo and its province, with the aim of nurturing young talent and promoting musical culture among the younger generation.

The 60th International Piano Festival of Brescia and Bergamo: a celebration of music and culture

2023: a special edition for an important milestone

Following the 2022 edition dedicated to the early 20th century, the Festival broadened its scope to embrace the entire century up to the present day.

The approach was not strictly chronological or monographic, but rather centered around a carefully curated repertoire featuring over 30 composers. The goal was to explore “anti-avant-garde” music — a search for sounds that could speak a contemporary and accessible language.

The Festival’s program included around 20 main concerts held in the primary theaters of Brescia and Bergamo, as well as about 30 additional performances in various venues across both provinces. Highlights included the opening concerts with the Festival Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Pier Carlo Orizio and featuring soloist Mikhail Pletnev.