2-3-4 October 2026 within Cremona Musica Expo and Festival – Cremona Fair-Italy – h.10am-6pm

Friday 2nd – Saturday 3rd – Sunday 4th, room Masterclass 1:
MASTERCLASS OF LUTHERIE FOR ACOUSTIC GUITAR, classical & modern
teachers master luthiers DOUG PROPER (US) – SHARON PROPER (US) – IAN DAVLIN (US)
info@armadilloclub.org / phone +39 0187 626993 / +39 0372 598011
program and registration form on
https://acousticguitarvillage.net/en/cremona-2026/didactic-courses-workshops-masterclasses-2026/

Sunday 4th, room Masterclass 2:
MASTERCLASS IN MANDOLIN SPECIALISATION teacher master Carlo Aonzo (IT)
info and registration:
https://acousticguitarvillage.net/en/cremona-2026/didactic-courses-workshops-masterclasses-2026/
giulia.alliri@gmail.com
info@accademiamandolino.com

Friday 2 – Saturday 3 – Sunday 4 October, from 10am to6pm, area ACOUSTIC GUITAR VILLAGE :

EXHIBITION OF LUTHERIE, IMPORT, PUBLISHING and ACCESSORIES FOR ACOUSTIC GUITARS. CLASSICAL AND MODERN, AND OTHER PLECTRUM AND PLUCKED INSTRUMENTS with the presence of International Luthiers and Guitar Companies
The Acoustic Guitar Village exhibition area is located at the entrance of pavilion 1 of Cremona Musica
(Fiera di Cremona, Hall 1)

HISTORICAL EXHIBITIONS AND SPECIAL EVENTS from Friday 2 to Sunday 4

Historical Exhibition “The nineteenth-century guitar: Torino, Mirecourt, Parigi” curated by Fausto Cacciatori, curator of the C.A. Carutti collection’s instruments at the Museo Civico of Cremona, and Master Luthier Lorenzo Frignani

Exhibition “Music is our life” exhibition of ethnic instruments from around the world, collection of Maestro Bruno Brunetti
On display are ethnic string instruments with a neck, both plucked and bowed

“CREMONA MANDOLINI IN MOSTRA”

A series of events dedicated to the mandolin, a small-large stringed instrument.

• Exhibition area with luthiers who build mandolins
• Stand activities of the Italian International Academy of Mandolin
• Performances by Mandolin Ensembles-Orchestras on the Classic Stage
  Artistic direction by Maestro Carlo Aonzo with the collaboration and cultural consultancy of Maestro luthier Lorenzo Frignani.
  Coordination and organizational direction by Alessio Ambrosi and Cultural Association “Armadillo

“CHARANGO PRESENTE!”

Meetings, performances, seminars, presentations featuring the Charango, the small 10-string Latin American instrument. Coordination by Achille Zoni with the presence and activities of Mario Cardona, Ignacio Riveros Murray, Ik Aureliano Gonzalez.
Desk with exhibition of instruments and presentation of the activities of the charango.it organization.

Programs and all details on:
https://acousticguitarvillage.net/en/cremona-2026/conferences-workshops-events-2026/

PROGRAM OF THE EVENTS ON THE LIVE STAGES OF THE AGV
There are 4 live stages: Open Stage (external) – Live Stage (external) – Indoor Stage (internal) – Classic Stage (internal in the Ponchielli Room)

FRIDAY OCTOBER 2

OPEN STAGE
from 10am to 6pm
will be the scene of numerous showcases that will see the acoustic guitar and other string instruments interact with accordions, bagpipes and wind instruments for spectacular acoustic world music performances.
Performances of: …………………………………………………………………………

INDOOR STAGE (inside Fingerpicking.net stand)
from 10am to 6pm

“New Sounds of Acoustic Music” contest for solo guitarists, fingerstylists and flatpickers, singer-songwriters-guitarists and acoustic bands, starting at 11am:
for the fingerstylist-flatpickers section: ……………………………………….
for the singer-songwriters-guitarists section: ……………………………………………………………………………..
for the acoustic bands section: …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
call for attendance at 10am
Jury composed of: Andrea Carpi (Fingerpicking.net), Reno Brandoni (Fingerpicking.net), Marino Vignali (ADGPA), Matteo Bergamini (Taylor Guitars), Marco Manusso (guitarist), Franco Morone (guitarist), Monica Bulgarelli (guitarist-teacher), ……………………. (luthier), Alessio Ambrosi (Acoustic Guitar Village / Armadillo Club)
partner Taylor Guitars – Acus-sound

LIVE STAGE AREA, in front of the garden between the two pavilions
from 3pm to 3:45pm
Performance of the “Accordi Apuani Orchestra” formed by 72 guitarists and 18 violinists

LIVE STAGE
from 4pm to 6pm
“Concerto Dialogue” where the public will be able to listen to the charango live, with interactions and arrangements made specifically to show the kaleidoscopic sound possibilities of this small and powerful instrument

CLASSIC STAGE (internal room “Ponchielli”)
from 10am to 6pm
– Concerts, showcases available to master luthiers
– Performances of ensembles and plucked mandolin-guitar orchestras: ………………………………..

FRIDAY OCTOBER 2 at 9pm
Auditorium of the Museum of the Violin
CREMONA MUSICA SPECIAL NIGHT – free admission until all available seats are taken
Performances of:
FRANCESCO TARANTO (Guadagnini guitar)
QUARTETTO ITALIANO A PIZZICO (Carlo Aonzo – Mandolin, Carla Senese – Mandolin, Salvatore Della Vecchia – Mandola, Riccardo Del Prete – Guitar)
FRANCESCO LOCCISANO & MARCELLO DE CAROLIS  (Battente Guitars)

SATURDAY OCTOBER 3

OPEN STAGE
from 10am to 6pm
will be the scene of numerous showcases that will see the acoustic guitar and other string instruments interact with accordions, bagpipes and wind instruments for spectacular acoustic world music
Performances of: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

LIVE STAGE
from 10am to 6pm

13th ITALIAN BLUEGRASS MEETING
concerts, showcases, meetings, workshops of musicians passionate about the Bluegrass Music genre

Performances of: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Special Guests: Ondra Kozák & Radim Zenkl (Czech Republic)

coordinated by Danilo Cartia
partners:  Martin Guitars – Deering Banjo Company
Video presentation

CLASSIC STAGE (internal room “Ponchielli”)
from10am to 3pm
– Performances of ensembles and plucked mandolin-guitar orchestras: …………………………………………..
– 9th Conference “The Guitar in the 19th Century” coordinated by Maestro Francesco Taranto

SATURDAY OCTOBER 3 at 9pm

CONCERTS IN THE HISTORICAL CENTER “CREMONA MUSICA DOWNTOWN”
Cortile Federico II°, side of the Town Hall, in front of Piazza Duomo
from 9 pm to 12pm, free admission
Performances of:
MILWAUKEE MANDOLIN ORCHESTRA (US), 35 musicians, the oldest Mandolin Ensemble of the US. Directed by M° Rene Izquierdo
ALEXEY KOLESNIKOV (Lettonia), violin & ROBERTO PALERMO (IT), accordion
GINGER LEIGH & JOHN POINTER (US), acoustic guitars and vocals
ONDRA KOZAK & RADIM ZENKL (Czech Republic), guitar, mandolin, violin and vocals

SUNDAY OCTOBER 4

CONCERTS – CONFERENCES – INSTRUMENTS – PERFORMANCE TECHNIQUES
This Meeting aims to celebrate the “first rural blues,” the style born in the Mississippi River Delta, and its subsequent evolution through the various musicians who interpreted it and made it known, always within the context of acoustic and popular music, before its “electrification” in the cities. The first acoustic blues, from the late 19th to the early 20th century, is the artistic and musical expression of the African-American population, forced to live a life of enormous hardship and marginalization.
Through cultural insights and a dedicated conference with experts in this musical genre, as well as a concert on the Live Stage with various excellent musicians, we will celebrate this cultural and musical expression that laid the foundation for all modern and contemporary music.
11:00 AM–1:00 PM: Conference, presentation, and cultural exploration of acoustic blues: history, evolution, field researchers, performers, and instruments, featuring Roberto Menabò, Roberto Caselli, Andrea Carpi, Alessio Ambrosi, Franco Morone, and Simone Valbonetti.
2:00 PM–6:00 PM: Concert and performances on the outdoor Live Stage.
Coordinated by Simone Valbonetti and Roberto Menabò.

OPEN STAGE
from 10am to 6pm 10
will be the scene of numerous showcases that will see the acoustic guitar and other string instruments interact with accordions, bagpipes and wind instruments for spectacular acoustic world music
Performances of: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

LIVE STAGE
from 11am to 1pm
PAROLE LIBERATE 2026
Performances of:
ALVISE NODALE: acoustic guitar and vocals
“NUOVO NORMALE” with Andrea Pasciuti, guitar and vocals – Andrea Imberciadori, guitar, vocals, keyboard – Simone Fioravanti, bass guitar – Luciano Nocco, trumpet

from 2pm to 6pm
CREMONA ACOUSTIC BLUES MEETING, performances of:
MAX PRANDI acoustic guitar and vocals
ROBERTO MENABO’ acoustic guitar and vocals
FRANCO MORONE fingerstyle acoustic guitar
SIMONE VALBONETTI & BEPPE SEMERARO acoustic and resophonic guitars, harmonica and vocals

CLASSIC STAGE (internal room “Ponchielli”)
from10am to 6pm
– Performances of ensembles and plucked mandolin-guitar orchestras: ……………………………………………………………………………………

“CREMONA MUSICA DOWNTOWN GIOVANI”
Performances of soloists and youth bands from 11am to 8pm at Palco della Musica, Piazza Roma in the historic center of Cremona – free admission
coordinated by Massimo Ottini

ARTISTS PHOTOS AND BIO

Reduced-cost tickets to the fair can be purchased online at the link:
https://acousticguitarvillage.net/en/cremona-2026/concert-tickets/

Per accomodazioni durante il soggiorno a Cremona visitare
https://acousticguitarvillage.net/en/cremona-2026/accommodation-hotels/

Technical sponsors: Acus-sound Engineering

Partners: Città di Cremona, Dismamusica, Fingerpicking.net, MEI Meeting Etichette Indipendenti, Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase, Osaka SoundMesse
Media partner: Fingerpicking.net, Esibirsi Coop. – Riviste: “Chitarra Acustica”, “Guitar Club”, Guitar Fair Magazine (Spain), Charango.it