Emilia Romagna Castles

The territory of Busseto and Roncole Verdi is preparing for the Fifth Edition of Verdi 10/10, the festival dedicated to celebrating the birth of Giuseppe Verdi. Organised by the Comitato Verdi 10/10 – 27/01, a network of local associations, the initiative aims to promote culture and tourism through a wide-ranging exploration of the Maestro’s world.

This year the guiding theme is the opera Aida, presented for audiences of all ages through different languages: experiential guided tours, theatre workshops, violin-making laboratories, in-depth sessions and cross-over musical performances.

PROGRAMME
Roncole Verdi – Friday 9 October 2026
Focus: Primary and lower secondary schools

Friday is dedicated to primary and lower secondary schools, with a rich programme between Casa Natale, cultural spaces and the streets of Roncole Verdi:

Casa Natale – “Let’s go to Peppino’s house” (from 9:30)
Guided tour designed to introduce the youngest visitors to the everyday life of the young Verdi in the place where it all began.

Theatre workshop dedicated to Aida (9:30 and 11:00)
Sala civica Giuseppina Strepponi. Creative workshop led by Sabina Borelli with the participation of mezzo-soprano Victoria Vasquez. Children will explore the suggestions of the opera through play and dramaturgy.

The fascinating world of violin-making (from 10:00)
Practical demonstration by master luthiers and students of the International School of Violin Making of Cremona, revealing the secrets of building bowed instruments.

Casa Museo Giovannino Guareschi – “A special neighbour” (from 10:00)
Guided tour of the new exhibition proposals, with a look at the connection between two great figures linked to the rural life of the Bassa.

Aida: lecture-concert (14:00)
Sala civica Giuseppina Strepponi. Educational-musical session for middle schools led by soprano Marisa Intravaia.

Verdian treasure hunt (14:00)
Playful-educational trail themed around Aida through the streets of Roncole, in collaboration with the Circolo di Frescarolo.

Roncole Verdi and Piazza Guareschi – Saturday 10 October 2026
Focus: Adults and the community

Saturday afternoon opens to the public and enthusiasts with moments of reflection, play and music:

Grand Verdian Quiz (15:00)
Prize challenge dedicated to opera lovers, organised by local opera associations.

Thoughts on the opera Aida (16:30)
Reflection by writer and poet Giancarlo Zanasi on the ethical and universal themes of the opera, with readings by the author and Simona Colombi.

Aperitif with the Verdian Olympics (17:00)
Social moment with the RAMFIS team, winners of the prize linked to Aida.

Highlight event – Cross-over concert “Verdi’s Melodies” (18:00)
Featuring Alessandro Bertozzi (alto sax), with Pino Di Pietro (keyboards), Lorenzo Poli (electric bass), Francesco Scanu (drums), Miriam De Luca and Sabino Cristiano (vocals). Guests: Alessandra Ugoni, Stefano Vaccari, Giancarlo Bianconi and Angelo Rubini.

Other related events
The festival is enriched by events throughout the month of October:

Saturday 3 October, 18:00 – Casa Barezzi
“Barezzi Young”: concert by one of the winners of the International Piano Competition “Città di Minerbio”.

Sunday 11 October, 10:00 – Biblioteca della Fondazione Cariparma
Opening of the exhibition “In the Maestro’s Papers”, featuring Verdi’s autographs owned by the Foundation. Open until 31 January 2027 (Saturday afternoons and the second Sundays of the month). Free admission.

Saturday 17 October, 15:30 – Scuderie Musicali di Villa Pallavicino
Concert by the intergenerational choir Incanto of the RSA Pallavicino, directed by Maestra Marisa Intravaia.

Practical information
All events are free and open to the public, in line with the festival’s goals of inclusivity and social cohesion.

For information: comitatoverdi@gmail.com

A summary video of the 2025 edition is available at: https://vimeo.com/dassoni/verdil01025

Info
comitatoverdi@gmail.com