From Venditti to Vecchioni, from Alfa to Inti-Illimani. And then Giorgio Panariello and Marco Masini, Paolo Ruffini, the Musicians of Francesco Guccini, Paolo Crepet, Roberto Saviano, the concert at dawn by Rita Marcotulli, the homage to Piazzolla by the Fiorentina Chamber Orchestra… Music, theater and literature return in ancient fortresses of the Apuan Alps and the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines for the 2024 edition of Mont’Alfonso under the stars, the festival scheduled from 23 July to 24 August 2024 in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana and San Romano in Garfagnana (Lucca).
Now in its fifth edition, Mont’Alfonso under the stars confirms itself among the main summer proposals of one of the most fascinating places in Tuscany, a favorite destination for lovers of trekking, mountains and uncontaminated landscapes: a “Fitzcarraldo”, a heroic undertaking that brings great names of entertainment and culture in two centuries-old fortresses of Garfagnana, that of Mont’Alfonso in Castelnuovo and that of Verrucole in San Romano.
The president of the Tuscany Region, on the occasion of the presentation of the festival to the press, underlined how this year too ‘Mont’Alfonso under the stars’ returns to being one of the flagship events of the Tuscan summer. The president also stated that the program, with prestigious artists and protagonists for a 2024 edition that promises to be extraordinary, will attract audiences from every part of Tuscany and Italy in the evocative setting between the Apuan Alps and the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, confirming Castelnuovo Garfagnana as one of the most brilliant examples of Tuscany’s widespread vocation to offer great events and culture at the same time.
Mont’Alfonso under the stars cuts the ribbon in Piazza dell’Erbe in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, with a series of preview events with free admission, program and guests coming soon.
Of medieval origins, the Verrucole Fortress of San Romano in Garfagnana opens its doors to music on Tuesday 30 July (8.15 pm, during sunset) with Musicians by Francesco Guccini, a group that for decades has supported the singer-songwriter in the studio and on tour, sharing notes and projects, travels and comparisons. And now that Guccini no longer intends to play live, it is up to them, his Musicians, to continue to excite the public with his most loved songs.
From Saturday 3 August the festival moves to Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, in the imposing Mont’Alfonso Fortress that Alfonso II d’Este had built between 1579 and 1586: the first appointment is the concert of Antonello Venditti; the summer tour adds a piece to the celebrations of the 40th anniversary of the masterpiece album “Cuore” and to the great live project “Night before exams 1984-2024 40th anniversary”.
Monday 5 August space for Inti-Illimani: ambassador of the Nueva Cancion Chilena first and then of a personal interpretation of Andean world music, the South American band presents itself together with the Florentine singer-songwriter Giulio Wilson, who collaborated on the recent album “Agua”.
A challenge between jokes and songs, that of Giorgio Panariello and Marco Masini. After the series of sold-outs in the theatres, the “odd couple” is ready to embrace the public again: on Wednesday 7 August we are waiting for them in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana for over two hours of show, this time in an en-plein-air version.
“Biting the sky” is the title of the conference show Paolo Crepet scheduled for Thursday 8 August again at the Fortezza di Mont’Alfonso. The psychiatrist, sociologist and essayist draws inspiration from his latest book to invite us to find the courage for new heresies, renew rebellions, distrusting that normality behind which the neutralization of the soul hides.
Monday 12 August we return to music with Alpha: the Genoese singer-songwriter arrives in Mont’Alfonso on the wings of the album “Non So Chi Ha Creato Il Mondo Ma So Che Era Innamorato”. The album contains “Vai!”, a song presented at the Sanremo Festival with which he won over young and old alike, leading him to be considered the revelation of the Festival.
As in previous editions, there will be a concert at dawn on August 15th: on Thursday 15 August at 4.45 am, again at the Fortezza di Mont’Alfonso in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, the first light of the day will intertwine with the notes of Rita Marcotulli, an excellent name in international pianism. His “Self-portrait” is an imaginary journey that takes inspiration from nature, from experiences, from the different colors of the world: a repertoire that winks at the seventh art and its soundtracks, at songwriters such as Domenico Modugno and Pino Daniele.
And again, on Saturday 17 August all the irony of Paolo Ruffini, dealing with his workhorse of dubbing in the Livorno vernacular “Io? Double!”, this time in the “Politically correct” version: old and new characters, with no holds barred, from Matteo Renzi to Giorgia Meloni and Charles of England, from Aquaman to the new Star Wars. With Ruffini also on stage Ginevra Fenyes and Claudia Campolongo on piano.
The concert is also highly anticipated Roberto Vecchioni. The professor of Italian music arrives on Tuesday 20 August in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana and brings with him sound nuggets such as “Samarcanda”, “Stranamore”, “Luci a San Siro” “L’interno”… “The first part of the show – anticipates Vecchioni – is played on the new album, ‘The Infinity’, on the characters who beat destiny, fought evil, loved life, others and themselves. The second part, however, is a kind of return, a look at the past with the songs from before, which show how we arrived at this concept of infinity through particular thoughts on love, on dreams, on existence, on pain, about joy, about happiness…”.
What is sex for mafia organizations? Opportunity for control, oppression, tool for creating new alliances or destroying old ones, stigma or boasting, exaltation or shame? Roberto Saviano on Thursday 22 August he takes to the stage of the Fortezza di Mont’alfonso with the recital “Appartenere – The intimate life of criminal power” taken from his new book “Noi due ci belong” published by RCS.
The magic of tango hovers on Saturday 24 August again at the Fortezza, for the great free entry event that closes the festival, together with theFlorentine Chamber Orchestra directed by Giuseppe Lanzetta, soloist Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi on accordion and bandoneon: From “Oblivion” to “Libertango”, from “Adios Nonino” to “Milonga del Angel”, the evening offers a ride through the best repertoire of Astor Piazzolla. This tribute is not a coincidence, given that the Piazzolla family has Garfagnana origins.
Mont’Alfonso under the stars was born from the synergy between the Tuscany Region, Tuscany Tourist Promotion, Municipalities of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana and San Romano in Garfagnana, Union of Municipalities of Garfagnana, Regional Park of the Apuan Alps, National Park of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, Studium 1984 -Fortezza Verrucole Archeopark, PRG, LEG, and Amandla Productions with the patronage of the Province of Lucca, with the contribution of the Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca Foundation, the Banca del Monte di Lucca Foundation. With the support of the associations of the Municipal Civil Protection Volunteer Group of the Municipalities of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, of the Fortezza delle Verrucole Volunteer Group, of the Misericordia of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana and of the Autieri d’Italia – Garfagnana Section, which is also entrusted with the refreshment point of the Mont’Alfonso Fortress. The Festival, also in the 2024 edition, is made possible thanks to the essential contribution of many sponsors linked to the territory and beyond.
Tickets they are available on the official website www.montalfonsoestate.it. on www.ticketone.it (tel. 892.101) and in Box Office Toscana points (www.boxofficetoscana.it/punti-vendita – tel. 055.210804). In Castelnuovo di Garfagnana tickets are available in advance at the Pro Loco in Piazza dell’Erbe and at Fidelity Tours (via Baccanelle 7/a). Tickets reserved for people with disabilities are also available at the Pro Loco, for info and details tel. 0583 641007. Mandatory reservations for the shows in Piazza dell’Erbe will be available on www.montalfonsoestate.it. The Festival in the 2024 edition is also realized thanks to the essential contribution of many sponsors linked to the territory and beyond.
PARKING, SHUTTLES, DIRECTIONS – On the occasion of the shows at the Fortezza di Mont’Alfonso, free parking is available in the Fortezza (600 meters from the entrance) and in Piazzale C. Chiappini in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana (sports facilities area, accessed from via Valmaira, those who use the navigator must set via Valmaira as the destination). A shuttle bus service to/from the Mont’Alfonso Fortress will operate from the car parks in Piazzale C. Chiappini, every 15 minutes: a contribution of one euro per person is expected, the funds are intended for assistance and solidarity projects managed by of the voluntary associations of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana.
For shows at the Fortezza delle Verrucole, free parking is available at the Fortezza (opening hours: 6pm/11.30pm), approximately 600 meters from the entrance.
All directions to reach the performance venues are available on the official website www.montalfonsoestate.it. Tel. info. 0583 641007 – 334 6167210 (on show days from 6.45 pm) www.montalfonsoestate.it – www.turismo.garfagnana.eu – www.castelnuovogarfagnana.org.
