with
Paolo Roberto Pianezza & Francesca Alinovi

GUEST STAR
Mirko Casadei

The Ocarina Festival is gearing up for a thrilling grand finale: Lovesick takes the stage and, for this special closing, welcomes an exceptional guest star, Mirko Casadei! It’s a close encounter between the international country-rock of the Bolognese duo and the radiant energy of a true icon of Italian music.

Paolo Roberto Pianezza and Francesca Alinovi bring to life the atmospheres of Remember My Name, the album recorded in Los Angeles, blending ’40s swing, western vibes, and authentic rock’n’roll. Mirko Casadei’s participation adds a fresh spark to the show, merging the tradition of his homeland with the electric and acoustic sound of Lovesick.

With lap steel solos, the unmistakable rhythm of brush-played double bass, and vocal harmonies that have won over stages across Europe, the evening celebrates the very best of live music. After collaborations with Ben Harper and Zucchero, Paolo and Francesca join Mirko to bid farewell to the Festival audience with a powerful and original musical dialogue.

See you under the stage to celebrate the Festival’s closing!

from and with the Studio del Movimento Danza school
followed by Ocarina Ensemble Budrio

An evocative multi-part performance inspired by the famous hypnotic crescendo of Maurice Ravel. On stage, the choreographic collective A/M Project, joined by the students of the Studio del Movimento Danza school, will embody over fifteen minutes of obsessive repetition. The choreography explores the subtle boundary between the formal discipline of technique and the instinct of improvisation, translating into movement the rigorous and overwhelming structure of Ravel’s masterpiece.

Following this, the stage will be taken by the musical excellence of the Ocarina Ensemble Budrio (OEBU). The prestigious ensemble from Budrio will offer a performance dedicated to the unique sounds of clay, bringing to the stage the mastery of an instrument that stands as a symbol of tradition and international sonic research.

Two distinct moments united by the same artistic rigor: from the physicality of contemporary dance to the purity of breath, in a journey that celebrates the power of rhythm and the beauty of choral melody.

With the Ocarina Ensemble of the G.B. Martini Conservatory of Bologna
Special guest, Gent Hoxha multi-instrumentalist from Kosovo

followed by
screening of the documentary Ocarina of Runik

This event is born as a gesture of gratitude and reciprocity: a meeting that honors the invitation received from the Ocarina Ensemble of the G.B. Martini Conservatory of Bologna on the occasion of the event dedicated to the ocarina in Kosovo. Today, the Festival returns the hospitality, in turn hosting the sounds and traditions of that land.

The evening will open with a performance by the Ocarina Ensemble, followed by the special guest Gent Hoxha. A multi-instrumentalist of extraordinary talent, Hoxha will guide the audience in discovering ancestral instruments such as the Fyell (folk flute) and the Çiftelia (a two-string instrument), performing traditional songs that traverse the landscapes of Albania and Kosovo.

To crown the journey, the documentary “Ocarina of Runik” will be screened. The work celebrates the Neolithic prototype of our beloved wind instrument, discovered in the region, recounting its revival thanks to the dedication of master Shaqir Hoti. Through his work of study and reconstruction, the ocarina has returned to being a living symbol, capable of raising awareness among new generations about the importance of preserving a millenary cultural and spiritual heritage that unites us all.

Curated byDiapason Progetti Musicali APS Association
with
the pupils of music courses: 1st Year, Intermedio and SenzatempO

the students of Public Schools:
IC16 Bologna OcarinOrchestra
Scuola di Musica “M. Mascagni” di Medicina
IC Statale di Taglio di Po, Ariano nel Polesine e Corbola – Plesso “E. Maestri”
IC Statale n. 1 Imola
eL’Isola dei Piccoli Passi APS Association

and the duet from Japan
Flowers of Hiroshima

The final performance of Ocarinando celebrates this unique instrument as a true bridge between cultures, capable of starting from the deep roots of Budrio and ideally embracing the entire planet. The sonic journey unfolds through a constant dialogue between different traditions: from Italian folk melodies to the repertoires of continental Europe, reaching as far as evocative international influences. In this context, the ocarina confirms itself as a universal voice, able to interpret with the same intensity Emilian liscio, European folk, and overseas sounds, demonstrating a versatility that transcends every geographical barrier.

The ocarina at the center of the ensemble

Alongside its international scope, great emphasis is placed on the educational value of the project. The ocarina ceases to be merely a traditional instrument and becomes the cornerstone of innovative learning paths, where ensemble music blends with continuous technical growth. The audience will be able to experience engaging performances in which students and teachers share the stage, giving life to an artistic exchange that combines the joy of play with the precision of execution. This closing event is not just a concert, but a testament to how musical learning can transform a historical tradition into a modern, vibrant, and accessible language for all.

Curated by Associazione Diapason Progetti Musicali APS

The Ocarinando project continues with its second phase, bringing the stage to life with the enthusiasm of over 200 young musicians. This key stage, organized by the Diapason Progetti Musicali APS Association, expands its reach to include not only the Budrio Educational Directorate but also the Primary and Lower Secondary Schools of the State Comprehensive Institute. The goal remains the same: to entrust the historical and artistic value of the ocarina to the new generation, making the students active participants in local culture.

The event unfolds in two engaging sessions.
The first session features a large group of over 100 students, combining the voices and instruments of the fourth- and fifth-grade students from Vedrana and Mezzolara Primary Schools with those from the secondary school.
The second session showcases 85 students from the Budrio Educational Directorate, from classes 4°D, 4°E, 5°D, and 5°E.

Together, these young musicians create a collective narrative across different age groups, demonstrating how the ocarina tradition remains a living language, capable of uniting the entire school district in a single, vibrant community project.

4th and 5th grade students from the Budrio School District
Curated by Diapason Progetti Musicali APS Association

The Ocarinando project, a cornerstone of local music education, will dedicate this first session entirely to the fourth- and fifth-grade classes of the Budrio Educational Directorate. Organized by the Diapason Progetti Musicali APS Association, the initiative aims to teach new generations the historical and artistic value of the ocarina, turning students into young ambassadors of the city’s tradition.

The event involves 143 students from the fourth and fifth grades, ready to pass on the historical and artistic significance of the city’s symbolic instrument.

1st Session (Performance: 10:00–10:45)
The first group includes 68 students from classes 4°A, 4°F, 5°B, and 5°C.

2nd Session (Performance: 12:00–12:45)
The second session involves 75 students from classes 4°B, 4°C, 5°A, and 5°F.

This event sets the tone for the official celebrations, marking the first step in integrating the school community into the city’s cultural identity and the Festival program.

with
Aniraco Orchestra (Japan)
Ocabanda (USA)
Duo Aurachorda (Germany), with Marco Muzatti (percussions)

One of the most iconic moments of the Festival, when the ocarina—born in the heart of Budrio—embraces the entire world. From the shores of Japan, the United States, and Germany, we witness how this small clay instrument has ventured into the unknown, meeting and harmoniously blending with vastly different musical cultures, enriching itself with new shades and languages.

ANIRACO Ocarina Orchestra (JApan)

From the Land of the Rising Sun, we welcome the ANIRACO Ocarina Orchestra, founded in 2014 with the mission of revealing the immense expressive potential of the ocarina. Under the expert guidance of maestros Tatsuo Kobayashi and Riko Kobayashi, the ensemble—currently made up of 30 members, with plans to grow to a full 50—focuses constantly on synchronization and versatility. Their repertoire spans a wide range of genres, demonstrating how the ocarina, in an orchestral setting, can achieve rare levels of elegance and precision.

Ocabanda (USA)

From the United States comes the energy of Ocabanda, America’s first ocarina septet. Founded in 2017 and directly inspired by the historic groups of Budrio, the ensemble has carried Italian tradition across the Atlantic, blending it with modern influences. Their repertoire is a journey through film scores, video game music, folk melodies, and classical arrangements. Tonight’s performance will be especially emotional: after nearly a decade of music and friendship, Ocabanda has chosen the stage in Budrio for their farewell concert, completing an artistic circle that began rooted in our tradition.

Duo Aurachorda (Germany)

Representing Europe, we welcome the Duo Aurachorda, consisting of Vera Unfried and Yvonne Zehner, professors at the University of Passau. Their project combines winds and strings, creating a refined dialogue between the ocarina and string instruments. With a strong academic and performance background, Duo Aurachorda brings to the stage a sophisticated and evocative sonic exploration, also documented in their eponymous 2016 CD, showcasing the ocarina in prestigious chamber music settings.

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.

With the presentation of the new album Økarine, from Økapi

The Festival invites the entire community to a special Aperiocarina: a moment of pure conviviality designed to break down the barriers between stage and audience. It will be the ideal opportunity to meet the merchants and the Oca Buskers of this edition up close, chatting in complete informality with ocarina players who have come to Budrio from all over the world. Between one toast and another, it will be possible to discover stories and secrets of this unique instrument, sharing ideas with the protagonists who animate the Festival streets in a welcoming and lively atmosphere.

The evening will then continue with an event of magnetic charm in the Sala Ottagonale, where listening will become the absolute protagonist thanks to the performance by Økapi. The artist will present live his new album Økarine, the sound score composed for the puppet theatre show “Isabella ambasciatrice di armonia”: a research work that reinterprets the sound of the ocarina through electronic visions.

It will be an evocative journey between ancient roots and experimentation, capable of transforming tradition into a modern and enveloping sonic narrative, perfect for concluding this experience of artistic sharing.

Raised on the warmth of vinyl and the energy of house music, Alessio has forged a dynamic sonic identity fueled by a constant search for fresh expression. This vision takes shape through his label, Trend Records, where he has championed both emerging talent and global icons such as Terry Farley, Paul Johnson, and Ricky Montanari.

His international career has taken him to the booths of influential clubs in Berlin, London, Ibiza, and Zurich. The caliber of his work is reflected in the heavy-hitting support he receives from industry titans like Kerri Chandler, Honey Dijon, and DJ Sneak.

Since 2019, Alessio has expanded his artistry into the performance realm with a live set featuring original edits and reinterpretations of his own catalog. A versatile artist in steady evolution, he remains dedicated to a sophisticated aesthetic that consistently surprises the dancefloor.