Fez — The third edition of the Festival of Young Italian Musical Talents in the World is currently taking place in Morocco, with events hosted at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane and the Jamai Institute of Music and Choreographic Art of Fez. The festival, which runs until February 5, positions Ifrane and Fez as key stages for contemporary classical performance and cross-cultural exchange.
Organized by the Italian Embassy in Morocco, the Italian Cultural Institute of Rabat, and the CIDIM, in collaboration with Moroccan cultural and academic partners, the festival brings together young Italian performers selected through rigorous artistic commissions. These selections are made in coordination with leading institutions such as the Accademia Musicale Chigiana of Siena and the International Foundation “Incontri con il Maestro” of Imola.
The festival program spans a broad musical repertoire, ranging from Baroque compositions to contemporary works, reflecting both the depth and diversity of Italian and international classical traditions. Across five concerts, audiences are introduced to soloists and chamber ensembles performing in academic and conservatory settings, reinforcing the role of universities as spaces for artistic creation and cultural dialogue.
The opening concerts featured Italian twin pianists Beatrice Dallagnese and Eleonora Dallagnese, whose four-hand piano performances highlighted a repertoire drawn from Italian Romanticism and symphonic works adapted for duo performance. Their appearances in Ifrane and Fez set the tone for a festival centered on collaboration and musical exchange.
Subsequent concerts include performances by cellist Eleonora Testa and pianist Maria Semeraro, followed by a flute and guitar duo featuring Euridice Pezzotta and Matteo Chiodini. The festival concludes with solo piano recitals by Gabriele Strata, one of the most acclaimed young pianists of his generation.
Beyond performance, the festival underscores long-term cultural cooperation between Morocco and Italy. By situating concerts within universities and conservatories, it promotes sustained engagement between students, educators, and international artists. The initiative also highlights Morocco’s growing role as a regional platform for high-level classical music programming.
Through its carefully curated program and international scope, the Festival of Young Italian Musical Talents in the World continues to strengthen artistic ties between the two countries while offering Moroccan audiences access to emerging figures on the global classical music scene.
