Ocarina’s Gran Gala

with GOB and Orchestra Giovanile BenTiVoglio

The annual magical meeting between history and tomorrow. The Gruppo Ocarinistico Budriese, ambassador of ocarina tradition in the world, preserves and projects Donati’s legacy into the future through a dialogue with the excellence of the BenTIVoglio Youth Orchestra. A special concert event where the terracotta myth meets the symphonic talent of the new generations.

GOB – Gruppo Ocarinistico Budriese

The 10‑hole ocarina was invented in Budrio in 1853 by a young man named Giuseppe Donati. After building five ocarinas of different sizes, the first ensemble was formed in 1863, which later became a septet and performed for years with great success on the most prestigious European stages, presenting original pieces and arrangements of famous opera arias: the Gruppo Ocarinistico Budriese.

The current GOB has carried forward the musical heritage of the ocarina groups that have emerged in Budrio over time, with particular reference to those of the 1920s and 1930s led by Alfredo Barattoni. To the distinctive pastoral sound typical of an ocarina ensemble has been added, in recent years, that of more classical instruments in a repertoire for one or two ocarinas (G.O.B. Soloists). In their concerts, the G.O.B. Soloists perform pieces in which the ocarina is accompanied by piano, string quartet, or a baroque orchestra.

Active for many years, the GOB has performed over 1,000 concerts in Italy and abroad and recorded numerous CDs and DVDs. Their international engagements include tours in Australia, Cuba, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, the United States, South Korea, China (including a concert at the prestigious National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing), Japan, and many European countries. Recently, their concerts have been broadcast on Radio3 (Italy), RSI (Swiss Italian Radio), and WDR (Germany), and they have appeared at major events such as the Ravello Festival and the Sferisterio in Macerata for Musicultura.

BenTIVoglio Youth Orchestra

The Youth Symphony Orchestra was born from the long experience of the “Il Temporale” Music School and the International Chamber Music Festival at Bentivoglio Castle. The orchestra training workshop, conducted by director Emiliano Bernagozzi, involves students of the “Il Temporale” music school and is open to boys and girls engaged in musical studies.

Today, the Youth Orchestra is made up of around 40 members aged 13 and over and was the winner of the International “Rossini” Competition in the city of Pesaro in 2016. The orchestra has already performed on tour in the Czech Republic and in Irpinia, concluding with a performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria at the Royal Palace of Caserta.