5th Edition · Program
2 – 6 September 2026
From 2 to 6 September 2026 the festival travels across the Itria Valley: recitals by internationally acclaimed soloists and duos, the final of the 1st International Competition and the masterclass students' closing concert.
Five events in five different venues, from theatres to churches and historic villas.
02
Wednesday September
20:00
Chiostro del Carmine · Martina Franca
Opening concert of the 5th edition: Giampaolo Bandini (guitar) and Cesare Chiacchiaretta (bandoneon) launch the festival at the Chiostro del Carmine in Martina Franca, with a program devoted to Tango Nuevo and Astor Piazzolla — from Oblivion to Libertango. Doors open at 7:15 PM.
Concert details
03
Thursday September
17:00
Associazione Artigiana del Mutuo Soccorso · Martina Franca
The finest young talents from the «Paisiello» Conservatory of Taranto perform in the Sala del Quarto Stato, overlooking Piazza Plebiscito. A complimentary tasting by Caffè Morola follows each performance. Free admission, reservation required.
Concert details
03
Thursday September
20:00
Chiesa di Santa Maria di Costantinopoli · Cisternino
A solo guitar recital at the Church of Santa Maria di Costantinopoli in Cisternino: Spanish guitarist Silvia Escamilla Jiménez, born in Madrid and trained in The Hague with Pavel Steidl and in Madrid with Javier Somoza, presents an all-Spanish program. Doors open at 7:30 PM.
Concert details
04
Friday September
17:00
Associazione Artigiana del Mutuo Soccorso · Martina Franca
The finest young talents from the «Piccinni» Conservatory of Bari perform in the Sala del Quarto Stato, overlooking Piazza Plebiscito. A complimentary tasting by Caffè Morola follows each performance. Free admission, reservation required.
Concert details
04
Friday September
20:00
Villa Mitolo · Locorotondo
Grand final of the 1st «Valle d'Itria Guitar Festival» International Competition at Villa Mitolo, Locorotondo: the three finalists perform before an international jury and the audience with virtuosic works from the guitar repertoire. Spectators can vote to award the Audience Choice Prize; the evening concludes with the official announcement and award ceremony. Free parking.
Concert details
05
Saturday September
18:00
Auditorium della Fondazione Paolo Grassi · Martina Franca
A solo guitar recital at the Auditorium of the Paolo Grassi Foundation in Martina Franca: Carlo Marchione, hailed by critics as «the teacher of teachers» and professor at the ZUYD Conservatory in Maastricht, performs as part of the festival's 5th edition. Doors open at 5:30 PM.
Concert details
06
Sunday September
11:30
Associazione Artigiana del Mutuo Soccorso · Martina Franca
Final concert of the Valle d'Itria Guitar Festival masterclasses: young talents from around the world bring to the stage the enthusiasm and passion of days of intensive study, in the Sala del Quarto Stato at the Associazione Artigiana di Mutuo Soccorso, overlooking Piazza Plebiscito in Martina Franca. An opportunity to support the next generation of guitarists and close the festival's 5th edition.
Concert details
Every venue in the program, all within a few minutes of one another.
Martina Franca
Chiostro del Carmine
02 September Open in Maps
Martina Franca
Associazione Artigiana del Mutuo Soccorso
03 September Open in Maps
Cisternino
Chiesa di Santa Maria di Costantinopoli
03 September Open in Maps
Martina Franca
Associazione Artigiana del Mutuo Soccorso
04 September Open in Maps
Locorotondo
Villa Mitolo
04 September Open in Maps
Martina Franca
Auditorium della Fondazione Paolo Grassi
05 September Open in Maps
Martina Franca
Associazione Artigiana del Mutuo Soccorso
06 September Open in Maps
Masterclass & Competition
Beyond the concerts, the festival hosts the advanced masterclass with Giampaolo Bandini and Carlo Marchione and the 1st «Valle d'Itria Guitar Festival» International Competition.
Fees, deadlines and requirements in the official regulations
