A guided tour led by Cristian Paolini, for the Diapason Progetti Musicali Association. A chance to discover the beating heart of Budrio’s tradition.

The Ocarina Museum in Budrio is the only one in Italy that tells the story of this wonderful instrument, from its origins to new contemporary expressions, through the creations of its original makers (Giuseppe Donati, Cesare Vicinelli, Alberto Mezzetti).

Photographs and score complete a story that has been surprising and enchanting artists from all over the world since the 19th century.

This initiative is part of the broader “Saturday with the Ocarina” project, conceived and organized by the Diapason Progetti Musicali APS Association in collaboration with the Municipality of Budrio, which also includes a workshop for children.

Guided tour led by Succede Solo a Bologna

A unique opportunity to explore an exclusive and captivating place, a true hidden gem nestled in the heart of the Bolognese countryside.

HISTORY

The villa was constructed in Vedrana di Budrio at the end of the 17th century by Marquis Giuseppe Carlo Ratta, based on a design by Bertelli. The architecture reflects the Bolognese senatorial family’s desire for prestige, while also offering a functional structure. The central part of the villa symbolized the family’s status, while the side wings housed the kitchen, staff quarters, and storage areas for the agricultural estate’s operations.

The large cellar was used for wine production and the storage of barrels. In 1896, the villa and its surrounding farm were purchased by Annibale Certani, an agricultural engineer and the great-great-grandfather of the current owners.

In 1945, during World War II, the villa suffered severe damage. However, it was fully restored in 2017 by the Vittori Venenti family, including repairs from the damage caused by the 2012 earthquake.

Dating back to the 16th century, the villa was initially owned by the Cospi family and later inherited by the Ranuzzi Cospi family. In the 18th century, it underwent a radical transformation, emerging as an architectural masterpiece. At the heart of the complex stands the villa, featuring a frescoed loggia with three arches, flanked by two porticoed structures and two symmetrical buildings with elegant facades.

In the 17th century, it housed a renowned picture gallery with works by Guido Reni, and in the 18th century, it became a prominent cultural hub. Here, Count Prospero Ferdinando Ranuzzi founded the literary academy “I Notturni,” which was frequented by aristocrats and intellectuals. After changing hands several times, the villa was restored in the 1980s by Giovanni Tamburini, who returned it to its original grandeur.

The event

The ‘Ocarinando’ project of the association Diapason Progetti Musicali APS brings music into schools and this day is its worthy culmination. Experienced ocarinists, students and teachers will come together in various performances.

In questa mattina si esibiranno gli allievi del programma “Suoniamo l’ocarina”.

Promosso dall’Associazione Progetti Musicali APS, “Suoniamo l’ocarina” è un progetto di Educazione Musicale rivolto alle scuole primarie di Budrio, Mezzolara e Vedrana, offerto gratuitamente dal Comune di Budrio alle classi terze. I suoi obiettivi:

• To deepen the connection with this territory and in particular with music, story and culture of Budrio.
• To make teachers aware of the uniqueness of Budrio’s musical and cultural heritage, with a particular emphasis on the ocarina tradition;
• To enhance the musical knowledge of each student, enabling them to express themselves correctly using specific musical vocabulary.
• To bolster musical knowledge, starting with the direct experience of Budrio’s popular instrumental music.

The event

In this second part of the project created and coordinated by the Diapason Progetti Musicali Association, students from the Ochitamb program (children aged 8 to 11), SenzatempO (adult course), the young members of OcarinOrchestra (students from IC16 Bologna), and other students from local primary and secondary schools, will celebrate the culmination of their educational journey. They will be joined by two special guests from Japan, the duo Hiroshima Flowers.

It is an event that brings together different cultures and traditions, in which the ocarina becomes a catalyst for friendship and closeness.
The pieces performed celebrate the ocarina and its hometown, Budrio.

Musical programs

Fiori di Hiroshima
Chisato Nakahara AND ASAKA SHIRAI

• Amazing Grace
• A Very Distant Light
• Hiroshima – Peace Clock Tower
• The City of Cherry Blossoms in the Land of Evening Calm

pupils of the workshop “saturday with the OCARINA”
conducted by CRISTIAN PAOLINI

• I ricordi di Nonno Arsenio (Perini/Spaccazocchi) – with the Municipal Ocarina School
• In discoteca (Perini/Spaccazocchi)

Schools of the “Ocarinando” project

Students from the Mordano Secondary School (IC1 Imola)
CONDUCTED by Fulvio Carpanelli.

• Il bidello infuriato
• Un dolce pensiero
• Il banchetto nuziale
• Il principe solitario
• Variazioni
• Nel saloon

OcarinOrchestra

It is the large vocal and instrumental ensemble of IC16 Bologna, which combines and integrates the Ocarina with the instruments from the school’s music program, as well as others played by the students themselves. The result is a dynamic formation in which all performers both sing and play. The chosen repertoire—mainly ethnic music—is specifically rearranged for this unique group, allowing for ample opportunities for co-construction and improvisation with the girls and boys.
The conductor is Professor Elide Melchioni.

1. La tabacchiera – trad. Francia
2. Amore mio non piangere – trad. Mondine
3. Schoscholoza – trad South Africa
4. Ipharadisi – trad South Africa
5. Pata Pata – M. Makeba

OCHITAMB
conducted by Cristian Paolini and Emanuela Napolitano

• Let it be, by Lennon-McCartney
• Hey jude, by Lennon-McCartney
• Respect, by O. Redding

SENZATEMPO
conducted by Cristian Paolini

• Fratello sole sorella luna, by R. Ortolani
• Samarcanda, by R. Vecchioni

municipal school of OCARINA “V.GRIMALDI”
conducted by Cristian Paolini and Federica Taglioli

Years I, II and Intermedio + OEBU

• Lied 
• I ricordi di Nonno Arsenio, by Perini/Spaccazocchi

 Years II and Intermedio + OEBU 

• Vitti ‘na crozza, by Li Causi
• Tamburino (trad.)

Intermedio + OEBU

• Pavana (trad.)
• Variazioni sul Canone di Pachelbel

OCARINA ENSEMBLE BUDRIO (OEBU)

• Barbiere di Siviglia: Cavatina di Figaro, Rossini
• Valzer Brillante, Verdi-Rota
• Va’ pensiero, Verdi

The project originates from two extracurricular programs at the School of Budrio, in collaboration with the Municipality of Budrio. Its goal is to transform the museum experience from a mere “showcase” into an interactive workshop, training students to become guides and performers.

Students are taught how to be tourist guides, as well as how to compose and perform a repertoire for ocarina. The project aims to enhance their instrumental, expressive, and communicative skills, empowering them to play a key role in creating cultural events that celebrate the local heritage and share knowledge of the area’s history.

The event

The “Ocarinando” project, created by the Diapason Progetti Musicali Association, fosters musical education in schools, and tonight’s program serves as the perfect culmination of that effort. Professional musicians, students, and teachers will alternate in five performances.

The opening performance will be by the Melos Bene Ocarina Quartet, a remarkable ensemble from South Korea, only four years old but already well-known in Italy for their original and creative repertoire.

Following them will be students from the Diapason Progetti Musicali Association schools.

The Diapason Progetti Musicali Association is one of the leading institutions in Budrio’s music scene, offering educational programs such as “Ochitamb” (for tweens and teens), “SenzatempO” (for adults), and the group from the “Vincenzino Grimaldi” Ocarina School (for children aged 8-12).

Next, the OcarinOrchestra, the vocal and instrumental ensemble from IC16 Bologna, will take the stage. In this performance, the ocarina blends seamlessly with other instruments—both those learned in school, such as guitars, violins, keyboards, and clarinets, as well as other instruments played independently by the students. The result is a remarkable ensemble where every performer sings and plays a specially crafted repertoire inspired by ethnic music.

To conclude, students from the “Il Temporale” Music School in Bentivoglio and the Mascagni Music School in Medicina will bring the concert to a close.

MUSIC PROGRAMS

“Ochitamb” Group
Hit the Road Jack (P. Mayfield)
Cicale (A. Testa, T. De Vita, S. Testi, F. Miseria)
Lemon Tree (P. Freundenthaler)
Respect (O. Redding).

“SenzatempO” Group
Vois Sur Ton Chemin (B. Coulais)
The Addams Family (V. Mizzy)
Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head (B. Bacharach).

“Vincenzino Grimaldi” Ocarina School
I YEAR
“I tamburi di Bobo” (L- Perini)

I YEAR AND I ADVANCED YEAR
Baloons (trad.)
Lied (F. J. Haydn)

I ADVACED YEAR
Minuetto (J. Ph. Rameau)
Oh susanna (trad.)
Fratello Sole e sorella Luna (Brother Sun, Sister Moon) (R.Ortolani)

INTERMEDIATE GROUP
Pavane d’Angleterre (sec. XVI)
Baionetta in canna (trad.)
Vitti ‘na crozza (F. Li Causi)

OcarinOrchestra – directed by Professor Elide Melchioni
La tabacchiera – trad. France
Pastorale – trad. middle Italy
Amore mio non piangere – trad. Mondine
Ebola
Pizzica di San Paolo – trad. Lecce
Pata Pata – M. Makeba

IL TEMPORALE Music Schoo in Bentivoglio – directed by Emiliano Bernagozzi
I love ocarina (V. Billi)
Magia in musica (R. Vinciguerra)
Giovanni’s March (E. Bernagozzi)
Il piccolo bersagliere (R. Vinciguerra)

Mascagni Music School in Medicina
Canto della coccinella
Sogno di Ifra
Danza del gatto

Budrio like you’ve never seen it before: a fully themed ocarina tour.

The journey begins at the Diapason Association, winds through the city’s streets and squares, and culminates with a guided visit to the Ocarina Museum. Along the way, you’ll discover the history and evolution of the instrument, and have the unique opportunity to meet Edward Mezzetti, great-grandson of Alberto Mezzetti, one of the pioneers behind the creation of the first ocarina.

With Edward, we’ll retrace the professional journeys of Alberto and Ercole Mezzetti, from 1870 to their later emigrations to London and Paris.

The tour will conclude with a duo performance: Federica Taglioli and Cristian Paolini, a teacher at the “Vincenzino Grimaldi” Ocarina School, will perform a selection of pieces ranging from traditional ocarina music (including a song by Cesare Testi) to classical works (Mozart, Verdi, Gluck) and iconic movie soundtracks (Piovani, Morricone).