VCR | Venice Classic Radio Italy

From July 15 to September 15, 2025, the 43^rd edition of the Portogruaro International Music Festival will be held under the artistic direction of Alessandro Taverna and promoted by the Fondazione Musicale Santa Cecilia. Entitled Modulazioni. Il continuum della musica, the Festival aims to redefine the boundaries of classical music by intertwining it with jazz, electronics, opera, and crossover genres.

Among the highlights: an exclusive regional performance by Dee Dee Bridgewater, accompanied by the Dee Dee Bridgewater Quartet (her voice joined by an all-female trio featuring Carmen Staaf and Shirazette Tinnin from the US, and Italian bassist Rosa Brunello) together with the Medit Orchestra conducted by Angelo Valori. Also not to be missed: the debut performance in Portogruaro by the RAI National Symphony Orchestra with pianist Alessandro Taverna and conductor Gianna Fratta, and the return of opera with La traviata conducted by Matteo Beltrami.

The Festival will also devote considerable space to experimentation with projects such as Livemovement by Anton Dressler, Algo-Ritmi by Davide Ferrario and Alessandro Perissinotto, and the new commissioned work Beyond Matter by Mario Pagotto, a tribute to Luigi Russolo, the Portogruaro-born exponent of Futurist art and music, marking 140 years since his birth. Crossover events such as The Bass Gang and Dancing Pianos will be featured as well, along with a focus on emerging talents with the Santa Margherita Award, granted to the young pianist Martina Meola, winner of the Jeune Chopin Competition 2025.

The Penombre section will host conversations and reflections with Michele dall’Ongaro, Guido Barbieri, Paolo Bolpagni and Cristina Scuderi.

Starting on July 25, the Festival will expand beyond traditional concert venues with the “Aspettando il Festival” (“Waiting for the Festival”) series—an itinerary that weaves through Portogruaro and the Eastern Veneto region, bringing music to squares, historic villas, mills, churches, and archaeological sites. A true “sound map” designed to highlight the area’s artistic and natural heritage. From the Grandesso duo at Belfiore Park in Pramaggiore to Bach-inspired performances by Ensemble Il Cardellino in Bibione, from the Native Beat on Caorle’s beach to the harpsichord at the National Concordiese Museum, each event creates harmony between music and symbolic locations. Highlights include a piano recital by Emanuele Arciuli at Summaga Abbey, saxophone quartets and operatic tributes in historic villas and a special concert at Caorle Cathedral with Alessandro Taverna and young talents. “Aspettando il Festival” concludes on August 27 with a refined harp recital by Nicoletta Sanzin at the Church of San Luigi.