International Piano Festival of the Mediterranean

The International Piano Festival of the Mediterranean, organised by Associazione Culturale e Musicale Hermes – ETS, has established itself as an international cultural platform hosting some of the most important pianists of the contemporary concert scene. In its previous editions, the festival presented internationally renowned artists such as Mikhail Pletnev, Marc-André Hamelin, Anna Fedorova, Valentin Malinin and Ivo Pogorelich, who was among the headline artists of the first edition, alongside a wide range of emerging musicians and young performers from international conservatories and competitions. The upcoming 2026 edition continues this artistic vision, featuring leading international artists such as Marc-André Hamelin, Anna Fedorova, Gidon Kremer, Sergei Babayan and Suah Ye, together with additional guest artists and young talents from over 30 countries. A central role is played by the Orchestra Filarmonica del Mediterraneo, which contributes to symphonic and chamber productions and supports collaborations between established artists and young musicians in a professional performance context. The festival also integrates artistic excellence with education and international exchange through masterclasses, advanced training programmes and performance opportunities for emerging pianists. A distinctive element of the festival is its focus on Italian musical heritage, in particular the rediscovery of Giovanni Paisiello, alongside experimental projects inspired by Fluxus and Happening movements, which expand the boundaries of traditional concert formats through interdisciplinary approaches.