Trame Sonore 2026: Mantova's Intimate Chamber Music Festival

The 14th edition of the Trame Sonore festival concluded in Mantova, featuring intimate chamber music performances in historic venues. Violinists Nurit Stark and Aoife Ní Bhriain performed works by Rósza and Ligeti at Galleria Corraini, with a bird chirping in response. The String Trio Eszká (Stark, Yuko Hara, Sebastian Triebener) performed Schubert and Kurtág at the Rotonda di San Lorenzo. Tommaso Lonquich and Quartetto Indaco played Brahms's Clarinet Quintet. The Orchestra da Camera di Mantova performed Gulda's Cello Concerto with Giovanni Gnocchi, Mozart's Sinfonia concertante with Sergey Malov and Jennifer Stumm, and Mahler's First in chamber version. Artistic director Carlo Fabiano aims to demystify classical music by shortening concerts to 20-45 minutes and abolishing dress codes. The festival emphasizes immersive experiences and community building, though Fabiano notes inadequate funding from the ministry and Regione Lombardia, with musicians participating only for expenses.