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History

The story of a passion that transformed Magnano into the capital of early music.

The origins (1982-1986)

On Thursday August 26, 1982, Bernard Brauchli gave his first recital in Magnano, his mother's home village, on the magnificent Bruna organ in the Chiesa Parrocchiale. In 1985, when he hand-wrote the poster announcing his clavichord concert in the Chiesa Romanica di San Secondo, he was hoping for 30-40 people. In fact, almost 300 people discovered the intimate and magnificent sound of the clavichord.

Evolution (1986-2023)

From a simple recital to an international festival, the history of the ‘Festival Musica Antica a Magnano’ is a wonderful musical adventure that has been enriched year after year. Each new decade has brought its share of innovations and landmark events, gradually weaving together a cultural network that today radiates around the world. Discover the key moments that have shaped us:
1986
The first Festival was a great success and will be repeated in subsequent years.
1988
Organization of the first summer course with Eva and Georges Kiss already.
1993
Creation of the International Clavichord Symposium with Christopher Hogwood.
1994
Start of Easter courses and concert.
1999
First New Year's concert “2000 years of music”.
2010
Bernard Brauchli receives honorary citizenship of Magnano
2013
Expansion of courses with the addition of violin after flute, cello and viola da gamba, enriching chamber music possibilities.
2019
Anastase Démétriadès appointed artistic director of the festival
2022
Our activities expands to Donato, extending its regional reach
2023
To pay tribute to Bernard Brauchli following his death, the commune installs a commemorative plaque. His daughter Thérèse Cuttelod has taken over the reins of the Association.

Today and Tomorrow

Today, the Festival Musica Antica a Magnano radiates far beyond Italy's borders. Internationally acclaimed, it has welcomed the greatest names in Baroque music: Hogwood, Leonhardt, Tagliavini, Savall, and continues to attract exceptional talents such as the European Union Baroque Orchestra.

We are also proud to see former students such as Silva, Eleonora and Davide return as established artists. The festival is no longer just a summer event: it lives on throughout the year, with Easter concerts, summer courses and the New Year's concert.
Under the artistic direction of Anastase Démétriadès since 2019, and with the support of Bernard Brauchli's family and the Executive Board chaired by his daughter Thérèse Cullelod, the festival is pursuing its mission of bringing early music to life in exceptional venues. The magnificent collection of historic instruments, as well as the forthcoming development of a library and a digital archive, bear witness to this constant desire to innovate while respecting tradition.

As it turns 40, the festival remains as faithful as ever to the spirit of its founder: to share the passion for early music with as many people as possible.
“Magnano confirms its position as capital of early music with the 36th international festival”.
La Stampa
July 30, 2021
Page de couverture
The front page of our book will be unveiled shortly.

« 40 anni di passione »

A book that tells the story of this magnificent musical adventure, imagined and created in 1986 by Bernard Brauchli. Around 120 pages of memories and color images.

Publication date: July 2025
Language: Italian
Special pre-order price :

€ 20

(instead of €25)
Order the book

Excerpts from the book

  • Quella del “Festival Musica Antica a Magnano” è una storia in cui la musica, principale protagonista, s’intreccia con le persone e con i luoghi. A raccontare i primi quarant’anni di questo evento sono quindi i suoi stessi protagonisti che, attraverso ricordi, impressioni ed emozioni, presentano i loro strumenti e spiegano il particolare rapporto che li lega a Magnano e ad alcuni edifici simbolo.
  • “Il festival è nato una domenica pomeriggio davanti a una crostata di prugne preparata da Susan”. A ricordare divertita il curioso episodio è Anna Maria Manna che, con il marito Gianni Bena, ha fatto parte del gruppo di amici che ha affiancato Bernard Brauchli e Susan Orlando nei primi anni del festival.
  • L’esperienza del festival per Luca Taccardi è fatta di musica, naturalmente, ma anche dell’immersione nella natura, che definisce “silenziosa e quasi primordiale” e poi delle tante amicizie che ogni anno nascono o si consolidano.
  • Per chi vive a Magnano, come Pier Luigi Piazza, che ne è stato anche sindaco, i dieci giorni del Festival rappresentano un evento prezioso e importante: il paese diventa internazionale, pieno di musica e di persone che parlano tutte le lingue del mondo.
  • “Da subito si è creato un legame particolare tra gli abitati e questo evento. Il festival è parte della comunità, grazie ai corsisti che si muovono per le strade del paese con i loro strumenti e alla musica che risuona ovunque”.

Students memories

This anniversary is also the anniversary of our former students, without whom Musica Antica Magnano would not have been able to shine so brightly.
Alumni contributions will soon be published here.
How to participate:
  1. Select your most beautiful memory photo (JPEG or PNG format, in original quality)
  2. Include a descriptive text of maximum 500 characters
  3. Send everything to memories@musicaanticamagnano.com
  4. Don't forget to indicate your full name and the year you participated in the courses
  5. Deadline: February 28, 2025
The 5 most memorable contributions will receive the anniversary book for free. By participating, you agree to the publication of your photo and text on the festival's website and its social media platforms.
Eccomi, durante una delle cene di chiusura dei Corsi, li frequentai dagli anni ’90 al 2007. Ricordo la gioia provata in quei giorni d’Agosto perché “facevo Musica” veramente, imparando tantissimo, incontrando persone nuove o ritrovando quelle già conosciute, ascoltando e suonando brani che mi regalavano sensazioni ed emozioni conservate come doni preziosi. La prima fu quando provai a suonare il clavicembalo, uno non qualsiasi, un Rubio: sotto ai polpastrelli, i suoni si crearono con scoppi leggeri e, da quel momento, divenne il mio strumento preferito. Ricordo Corsi di Magnano. LUCILLA RONDOLOTTO - Italia
Durant le concert de fin de stage en 1991, Bernard présente le morceau qui va être interprété et tout à coup un très gros orage éclate. Une coupure de courant met l'église dans le noir car dehors il fait sombre. Nous  attendons un peu. Comme l'électricité ne revient pas nous  allumons des bougies et nous commençons le quia respecit Chant accompagné au clavecin et on entend le tonnerre qui résonne dans l'église tout au long du morceau. La douceur de l'éclairage aux bougies et la pénombre, la puissance du tonnerre à la fois déstabilisant et réconfortant ;  Nous étions hors du temps ; je m'en souviens très bien. Le morceau prend fin, il y a les applaudissements et tout à coup l'électricité revient et la lumière au dehors aussi. Le concert de fin de stage continue sous le soleil... PATRICIA CAMPANA TISSERAND - France
Impressioni musicali attraverso un vetro Riscopro la musica a 50 anni suonati…..acquisto un flauto dolce e provo. Mi chiedo come ho potuto dimenticare tutto per tutti questi anni, studiavo pianoforte da bambina, tanti soldi spesi e poca voglia. Oggi quel terreno fertile di conoscenze che credevo perdute è invece tornato fortemente, accompagnato da una passione che non avevo mai conosciuto e da un puro divertimento, dal piacere di suonare, di azzeccare la nota. Magnano 31.03.2024. MIRIAM D’INNELLA - Italia
2024 was my third time participating in the Magnano music festival. Every time I come here, it feels like coming home—so warm and familiar. Here, I can relax, reconnect with myself, and be nourished by the environment and the guidance of the teachers. Together with everyone, we immerse ourselves in music, collaborate on performances, and create unique, beautiful, and unforgettable memories. Thank you for everything this place has given me. - In 2024, I had the opportunity to collaborate with three other musicians in a special performance of an eight-hand duet on two clavichords.  YU ME LIN - Taïwan
I corsi di Magnano… Si trattava di un periodo di 10 giorni in cui la mia vita era come “scollegata” dalla vita normale. Si entrava in una specie di “magica bolla” in cui l’intera giornata era scandita dal programma dei corsi, arricchita inoltre dallo scambio delle proprie esperienze con i nuovi amici che si conoscevano lì. Dieci giorni in cui vivere e interagire con persone di età e provenienza molto differenti, ma che parlavano un linguaggio comune, quello della musica. Quanti bei ricordi, quanti aneddoti… e quante amicizie durature: una tappa fondamentale della mia vita. Grazie, Bernard! SANDRO FROLA - Italia
Magnano, un village en Piémont visité par la musique le temps d’un stage. Les rue s’animent : Des nuées de notes s’échappent des fenêtres, étudiants et professeurs vont et viennent partout, pressés d’aller travailler, flânant par petits groupes ou attablés à l’auberge, des amitiés s’ébauchent. Magnano, c’est aussi : La disponibilité de l’équipe, l’accueil si chaleureux. Le plaisir de préparer ensemble un concert final de grande qualité. Une belle richesse humaine due à la variété des origines, des cultures et des âges. Merci pour ces moments privilégiés. YVONNE LEFEBVRE - France
Thank you very much for the warm welcome! I cannot wait to be in Magnano. It is not simply music; it is a wonderful community that you have built there. IGOR FAYNBERG, USA
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