Grottammare: a historic village hosts young European musical talents

Grottammare recently became a stage for a series of musical events that turned its historic centre into an international showcase for emerging performers. The concerts organized by ALMA Academy Liszt Music Art took place in the church of San Giovanni Battista, home to the Sistino Museum, and highlighted both classical music and the town's cultural sites.

The spring program featured pianists from several countries: North Macedonia, England, Sicily and Romania, together with Erasmus students from Greenland, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The repertoire included works by Franz Liszt, Chopin, Debussy, Bach, Rachmaninov and Filtsch, offering audiences a varied and rich musical experience.

Music and cultural heritage combined

In addition to concerts, the project included guided visits to key local cultural venues through a collaboration with the municipal administration. Highlights included:

• the Pericle Fazzini Museum;
• the Tarpato Museum and the Teatro dell’Arancio;
• the collection of the Sistino Museum in the church of San Giovanni Battista, housing paintings from the 15th to the 20th century and valuable liturgical artifacts.

Notable museum pieces include a 16th-century chalice donated by Pope Sixtus V and a commemorative medal of the church of Santa Lucia by medallist Domenico Poggini, offering young participants insight into Grottammare’s artistic legacy.

Looking ahead

Alceste Aubert, coordinator of the Academy's European projects, announced plans to host further Erasmus students and teachers to continue showcasing the Piceno area's attractions. This initiative demonstrates how cultural events can enhance historic villages, attract international visitors and encourage the use of civic museums.

Practical tip: visitors to Grottammare can pair concert attendance with a stroll through the old town and a visit to the Sistino Museum to fully enjoy the connection between live music and local heritage.