Grand Gala of the Ocarina

The annual event features the symbol of global ocarina tradition, the Gruppo Ocarinistico Budriese, and the youth who embody the future of Italian music: the BenTIVoglio Youth Orchestra.

GOB – Gruppo Ocarinistico Budriese

The 10-hole ocarina was invented in 1853 by Giuseppe Donati, a local boy. After the invention of five ocarinas of different sizes, the first ensemble was formed in 1863 but later it became a seven-member and from that moment it started to perform in the most famous European theaters, proposing original songs or arrangements of the most famous opera music. This is Gruppo Ocarinistico Budriese.

The current GOB carries on this musical heritage, focusing on 20’s and 30’s groups led by Alfredo Barattoni. The current lineup includes ocarina players trained at the Budrio Ocarina School and musicians with a classical training background. The unmistakable pastoral sound, typical of an ocarina ensemble, has been joined in recent years by more classical instrument in a repertoire for one or two ocarinas (G.O.B. ‘s Soloists). In their concerts, the G.O.B. Soloists offer pieces in which the ocarina is accompanied by piano, string quartet or baroque orchestra.

The GOB has been active for several, performing over 1,000 concerts in Italy and abroad. The group has recorded many CDs and DVDs. Among the commitments of the GOB there are: tournèes in Australia (1987, 1996, 2000), Cuba (1989), Argentina (1990), Chile (1990, 1999), Venezuela (1991), USA (1994), South Korea (2010, 2012, 2014), China (2014 with a concert in the prestigious National Theater – NCPA of Pechino) and Japan (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2023) as well as in Europe.
Recently, they have been broadcasted by Radio3 (2014), RSI (Radio of Italian Swiss, 2014) and WDR (Germany, 2015). In 2019 they performed at the Ravello Festival and in 2020 at the Macerata Sferisterio for Musicultura. In August 2024, his sixth tour to Japan is planned.

Music program

Fotografie by Emiliano Bernagozzi
Goodnight Suite by Johachim Johov
Ouverture of “The Magic Flute”, by Mozart

BenTIVoglio Youth Orchestra

The “Sinfonica Giovanile” Orchestra was born from the long-time experience of the Music School “Il Temporale” and the International Festival “Musica da Camera” at the Bentivoglio Castle.
The Orchestra formation workshop, directed by Emiliano Bernagozzi, involves the students of the “Il Temporale” music school and it is open to all boys and girls who study music.

Today the Youth Orchestra has 40 members aged 13 and over.
In 2016 won the International competition “Rossini” in the city of Pesaro. It has already been the protagonist of a tour in the Czech Republic in 2016 and in a tour in Irpinia in 2027, which ended with a performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria at the Royal Palace of Caser