Valdelsa Chamber Music Festival
- Chamber music meets the charm of the ‘castle’ of Colle di Val d’Elsa
Chamber Music Festival in Colle di Val d’Elsa
From 8 July to 13 September 2026, the first edition of the VCMF – Valdelsa Chamber Music Festival makes its debut in the heart of Tuscany. This chamber music festival transforms Colle di Val d’Elsa into a meeting point of art, history and powerful emotions.
Four events, four prestigious ensembles, and a musical journey spanning more than two centuries of repertoire, from Classicism to the 20th century. A unique opportunity to experience great chamber music in Tuscany, in the most evocative corners of the town.
Between music, silence and historic architecture, the festival invites locals, visitors and music lovers to enjoy an authentic cultural experience, immersed in the unique atmosphere of one of the most charming towns in the Valdelsa area.
Calendar
Wednesday, 8 July 2026
Quartetto di Fiesole
An opening concert that brings together the expressive sensitivity of Anton Webern with one of the most beloved works in the chamber repertoire, Franz Schubert’s famous “Trout” Quintet.
Venue
Giardino delle Arti, Palazzo Pretorio
Concert programme
Alina Company – violin
Flaminia Zanelli – viola
Sandra Bacci – cello
Tiziano Mealli – piano
Guido Gargani – double bass
A.Webern – Langsamer Satz for string quartet
F.Schubert – Quintet “The Trout”, Op. 114, D. 667
‘Notti dell’Archeologia’ Programme
1976–2026: Fifty years of the Archaeological Museum of Colle di Val d’Elsa
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Archaeological Museum and the inauguration of the VCMF, the evening will focus on the history of the museum’s collection: from its origins with the first artefacts arriving at the museum to the recent restoration completed in October 2025.
The tour will trace the evolution and growth of the Ranuccio Bianchi Bandinelli Museum over the years, retracing the key stages of a journey that connects remarkably distant historical periods, offering visitors a fully immersive experience into the life of the museum.
Tuesday, 14 July 2026
I Cameristi Toscani
A musical journey between tradition and modernity, from European classical music to the evocative sounds of tango nuevo.
Venue
Giardino delle Arti, Palazzo Pretorio
Concert programme
Marco Zurlo – violin
Francesco Fontana – cello
Riccardo Centazzo – accordion
Riccardo Zurlo – percussion
H.Zilcher – Variations on a Theme by Mozart
A.Centazzo – Italian Fantasy
E.Pozzoli – Ancient Popular Songs
A.Piazzolla – Libertango
A.Piazzolla – Addios Nonino
A.Piazzolla – Oblivion
A.Piazzolla – Meditango
A.Piazzolla – Violentango
‘Notti dell’Archeologia’ Programme
The story of a discovery and its dispersion: the Tomb of the Calisna Sepu
On 7 December 1893, in the Casone plain, an intact tomb was discovered: 438 artefacts that have survived from the Etruscan era and, in a short time, were dispersed across some of the most important museums in Europe.
The guided tour will explore the value and the extraordinary history of these artefacts, which have travelled through thousands of years, offering a unique thematic journey of discovery.
Tuesday, 21 July 2026
Dynamis Piano Quartet
A refined dialogue between the Viennese Classicism of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the late Romanticism of Richard Strauss.
Venue
Giardino delle Arti, Palazzo Pretorio
Concert programme
Marco Norzi – violin
Margherita Fanton – viola
Roberto Mansueto – cello
Marta Puig – piano
W.A. Mozart – Quartetto Kv 478
R. Strauss – Quartetto op. 13
‘Notti dell’Archeologia’ Programme
Working stone in the Valdelsa during the Etruscan period
The tradition of stone craftsmanship in the Valdelsa area is ancient: as early as the Etruscan period, workshops for the production of stone objects were active in the area between Gracciano and Staggia Senese. The long-standing tradition of Colle di Val d’Elsa bears witness to the strong activity of the time, reflected in a remarkable collection that will impress visitors with its scale.
Sunday, 13 September 2026
Quartetto Adorno
The festival concludes with one of Italy’s most acclaimed chamber ensembles on the international music scene, performing a programme dedicated to two absolute masterpieces of the chamber music repertoire.
Venue
Church of Santa Maria in Canonica
Concert programme
Edoardo Zosi – violin
Liù Pellicciari – violin
Benedetta Bucci – viola
Maria Salvatori – cello
Tiziano Mealli – piano
L.Van Beethoven – Quartetto op. 132
R.Schumann – Quintetto con pianoforte op. 44
‘Notti dell’Archeologia’ Programme
An original 15th-century altarpiece: the panel by Pier Francesco Fiorentino in Santa Maria in Canonica
The eye of anyone entering the Church of Santa Maria in Canonica is immediately drawn to a gilded altarpiece from the 15th century, one of the few still preserving its original wooden frame. During the exploration of this work, dating between the late Middle Ages and the early modern period, visitors will discover the curious and remarkable details of an artwork that is both surprisingly resilient and long-lasting.
Useful Information
Concert venues
- Palazzo Pretorio – Via del Castello, 43
- Church of Santa Maria in Canonica – Via del Castello, 78
Starting time
9:00 PM
Ticket office
Buy your ticket online and find all updated information about the festival.
VCMF: chamber music and culture in the Valdelsa area
VCMF is a cultural project promoted by the Municipality of Colle di Val d’Elsa, designed to make high-level cultural events accessible to both Italian and international visitors, featuring outstanding guest artists.
The programme includes four evenings of engaging musical and cultural experiences, guiding the audience through the chamber music repertoire and the arts. The festival is designed for both enthusiasts and first-time audiences, set in exclusive heritage venues.
VCMF evenings are not only dedicated to chamber music, but also offer opportunities for in-depth cultural exploration and encounters with places of great historical significance in Colle di Val d’Elsa. Guests will have the chance to visit cultural sites during the Archaeology Nights programme, guided by Giacomo Baldini, Director of the Civic Museums of Colle di Val d’Elsa, Etruscologist Sofia Ragazzini, and art historian Mattia Barana.
These thematic itineraries represent a distinctive feature of VCMF, enriching each evening with unique insights into Etruscan and Roman history.
In particular, for the opening night on 8 July 2026, and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the “Ranuccio Bianchi Bandinelli” Archaeological Museum, the newly renovated museum rooms will be presented to the public.
The chamber music venues in Colle Alta
The Valdelsa Chamber Music Festival takes place in the heart of Colle Alta, where medieval palaces tell centuries of history and panoramic views open onto the Tuscan hills.
Concerts will be held at the Giardino delle Arti of Palazzo Pretorio and at the Church of Santa Maria in Canonica, two venues that preserve the town’s historical identity and timeless charm.
Here, music enters into dialogue with cultural heritage, creating an intimate and engaging atmosphere that makes every performance a memorable experience.
The festival offers a curated selection of classical music concerts in Colle di Val d’Elsa, designed for a wide audience seeking a special evening at one of the most refined cultural events of the Tuscan summer.
String quartets, quintets and chamber ensembles will accompany the audience on a musical journey that brings together great composers, internationally acclaimed performers and extraordinary heritage locations.
For those visiting Tuscany during the summer season, the festival is also the perfect opportunity to discover Colle Alta from a different perspective: strolling through historic streets and squares, admiring the sunset over the hills, and letting the music of great chamber works enhance this unique setting.
Four events to experience the charm of chamber music in the heart of the Valdelsa.