At the Gala Concert of the International Ocarina Festival, the masters will meet the students

GOB – Gruppo Ocarinistico Budriese

The 10-hole ocarina was invented in 1853 by Giuseppe Donati, a native of Budrio. After creating five ocarinas of different sizes, the first ensemble was formed in 1863. This group later expanded to seven members, and from that point, it began performing in some of Europe’s most renowned theaters, presenting original compositions as well as arrangements of famous operatic works. This was the Gruppo Ocarinistico Budriese (G.O.B.).

The current G.O.B. has preserved the musical heritage of the Budrio ocarina groups, focusing particularly on those from the 1920s and 1930s led by Alfredo Barattoni. The original ensemble, created at the Budrio Ocarina School, was later joined by classical musicians. Over the years, the unmistakable pastoral sound of the ocarina ensemble has been complemented by more classical instruments, creating a repertoire for one or two ocarinas. In their concerts, the G.O.B. Soloists perform pieces where the ocarina is accompanied by piano, string quartet, or baroque orchestra.

The G.O.B. has been active for many years, performing over 1,000 concerts both in Italy and abroad. The group has released numerous CDs and DVDs. Some of their major tours include: Australia (1987, 1996, 2000), Cuba (1989), Argentina (1990), Chile (1990, 1999), Venezuela (1991), the USA (1994), South Korea (2010, 2012, 2014), China (2014, with a concert at the prestigious National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing), and Japan (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), as well as various performances across Europe.

Recently, the G.O.B. has been featured on Radio3 (2014), RSI (Swiss Radio, 2014), and WDR (Germany, 2015). In 2019, they performed at the Ravello Festival, and in 2020, at the Macerata Sferisterio for Musicultura. Their sixth tour of Japan is planned for August 2024.

Music program

G. Rossini – Figaro Cavatina from Barber of Seville
G. Verdi – Triumphal March from Aida
AA VV – Napolincanto
A. Piazzolla – Piazzolla Suite
E. Morricone – Cinema Paradiso
D. Bruneck – Take Five
J. Hisaishi – Ghibli Suite

BenTIVoglio Youth Orchestra

The Youth Symphony Orchestra was founded from the extensive experience of the “Il Temporale” Music School and the “Musica da Camera” International Festival at Bentivoglio Castle.

The orchestra formation workshop, led by Emiliano Bernagozzi, involves students from the “Il Temporale” Music School and is open to all young people studying music.

Today, the Youth Orchestra consists of 40 members aged 13 and over. In 2016, it won the International “Rossini” Competition in Pesaro. The orchestra has also toured the Czech Republic in 2016 and Irpinia in 2017, with the tour culminating in a performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria at the Royal Palace of Caserta.

Music program

Corelli / Barbirolli – Oboe and Orchestra concert arr. for ocarina and bows by Emiliano Bernagozzi
Prelude-Allemande-Sarabande-Gavotta-Giga,
Solo ocarina Giulio Boccaletti

Antonio Vivaldi – Concert in A-minor RV462 arr. for ocarina and orchestra by Emiliano Bernagozzi
Allegro-Adagio-Allegro
Solo ocarina Emiliano Bernagozzi

Daniel Hellbach – Koncert for Ocarina
Allegro-Andante-Vivo
Solo ocarina Ayako Yamada (Winner of Ocarina Rave Competition in 2023)

A concert that blends the tradition of ocarina with the rhythms of jazz. Special Guest Federico Califano with his saxophone, accompanied by the ocarinists Cristian Paolini and Giovanni Gherardi.

Admission with Arci, ArciGay, UISP membership card.
You can buy it directly on site or online by clicking here, for 10€.

The event

On the second day of Ocarithon, the Torri dell’Acqua will host the continuation of the conversation that began the previous day, featuring soloists and ensembles, each with their unique origins. Five distinct musical traditions and languages will intertwine both on and off stage.

Five countries, five musical traditions, and five perspectives: barriers that the ocarina helps break down, uniting them in a single performance.

Admission is free, and you are welcome to come and go at any time. Performances begin at 10:30 AM and last approximately 30 minutes.

Schedule

FIRST ROUND (start at 10.30 A.M.)
Ahn Dawoon
Tonpfiff quintet
Fabio Galliani and Cantaluna

SECOND ROUND (start at 3.30 P.M.)
Gruppo Ocarinistico Budriese, in quartet
Ro Seung-jin
Carpanelli-Figoni duo
Michele Carnevali and Francesco Cimatti

Break > 5.30 P.M.

Stefan Christiansen
Futari duo (Gabriele Monachesi – Felix Lampe)
Ocarina Ensemble of Budrio

The event

From China to Korea and the United States, the sound of the ocarina has captivated and inspired countless musicians and ensembles.

In this special evening at the Consortium Theater, we have the privilege of listening to some of the world’s finest artists, who have brought the profound poetry of the Budriese instrument to life with remarkable variety.

Their fascinating and unexpected performances are a testament to the ocarina’s enduring power to bridge worlds, cultures, and people.

Jingya LIu

Born in China and now based in the USA, Jingya Liu is one of the first Chinese ocarinists, performing since 2007. She has dedicated herself to promoting Chinese musical culture and has performed at numerous international events since 2010. For 12 years, she served as the Executive Director of the Chinese Ocarina Art Society. Currently, Ms. Liu is a board member of the Washington Chinese Traditional Orchestra and a prominent musical artist in the Washington, DC area.

Program:

1. Trails of the Angels original flute and piano composition by Yue Chen and Ke Ma
2. Fade Away created by Jay Chou
3. Variations on Merry Go Ground of Life compote by Joe Hisaishi

Korean Ocarina SEPTET Ensemble

Program:

1. Voices of Spring, Johann Strauss Ⅱ
2. Military Polonaise, in A-major, op.40-1, Chopin
3. The Whistler and his dog, Pryor
4. Soundtrack of “Pirate of Caribbean”
5. Trisch Tratsch Polka, Johann Strauss II

Steven Higbee

Steven Higbee is a multi-instrumentalist specializing in wind instruments. He has performed a wide variety of music, including classical, jazz, video game scores, and film music. Since 2018, he has collaborated with hundreds of musicians online, recording singles, albums, and even video game soundtracks.

Steven’s journey with the ocarina began in 2015, following an unexpected discovery on YouTube. Soon after, he founded Ocabanda, the first ocarina septet in the United States.

After performing with the group, Steven continued to refine his ocarina skills, mastering more complex pieces and expanding his ability to arrange and compose for the instrument. Through his project and performances, he aims to showcase the beauty of the ocarina’s sound and inspire others to take up the instrument.

Program:

1. Reset ~ Thank You from videogame “Okami”, composed by Ayaka Hirahara and arranged by Steven Higbee
2. A Distant Land, by Steven Higbee
3. Café 1930, by Astor Piazzolla

Korean ocarina orchestra

Program:

1. Spring in my hometown, traditional Korean song
2. The Four seasons “Spring”, arranged musics by Emiliano Bernagozzi
3. Isle of Capri, arranged by Emiliano Bernagozzi
4. Sarabande Handel
5. William Tell Overture, arranged musics by Emiliano Bernagozzi

The event

The original format of the revitalized Ocarina Festival: the Ocarina Marathon!

Eight groups from around the world will take turns performing in the beautiful “Sala Ottagonale” inside the Torri dell’Acqua in Budrio. Over four hours of captivating performances, where the ocarina narrates its journey all the way to the Land of the Rising Sun.

Admission is free, and you are welcome to come and go at any time. Performances begin at 10:30 AM and last approximately 30 minutes.

Schedule

FIRST ROUND
Chisato Nakahara e Asaka Shirai
Melos Bene Ocarina Quartet
Jubo Due (Wayne Hankin & Kate Barnes)
Daniel Schmid

Break at 5 P.M.

SECOND ROUND
Suono di Cielo Septet
Brian Blauch
Hye-eun Kim & Hye-jin Seo
Haruna Shiina & Ayako Yamada