TONO Festival 2026 – INTERSCAPE

INTERSCAPE | Exhibitions and Performances

From 12 to 15 February 2026, the public presentation of INTERSCAPE took shape across three venues in the heart of Bergamo: GAMeC – Galleria d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea (Spazio Zero), Palazzo della Libertà, and the Accademia di Belle Arti «Giacomo Carrara». A distributed exhibition design transformed the exhibition spaces into a true landscape to be traversed, bringing visual installations, multimedia works and sound interventions into dialogue in an interdisciplinary itinerary that involved three of the city's leading cultural institutions.

The exhibition, curated by Bianca Trevisan and Daniele Maffeis with a musical programme curated by Umberto Pedraglio, was conceived so that the exhibition and the performative moment would not be kept separate, but would create an immersive environment in which visual installation and sound performance coexist. The spaces of the Accademia, in particular, hosted the performances of newly composed works by INTERSCAPE students, conducted by Maestro Fabian Panisello, a leading figure on the international contemporary music scene: a concert conceived not as an event separate from the exhibition, but as an integral part of the exhibition itinerary and of the soundscape running through it.

The festival represented the public moment of convergence for a year of research and artistic production carried out by fifty-four students — composers, visual artists and musicians — from across Europe. The students' thirty-one interdisciplinary projects can be found in the →︎ Projects section.

All events — exhibitions, concerts, performances — were free and open to the public.

TONO Festival | The Other Events

Alongside the presentation of INTERSCAPE, TONO Festival 2026 offered a programme showcasing the educational and creative excellence of the Politecnico delle Arti di Bergamo.

The festival opened on 3 February at Teatro Donizetti with the traditional symphonic concert of the Orchestra of the Conservatorio «Gaetano Donizetti», exceptionally conducted by Gianna Fratta — an Italian conductor and pianist known for her international career, and the first woman to conduct the Berliner Symphoniker.

On 5 February at Daste Arena, experimental sound sets curated by students of the Sound Design courses at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Bergamo took the stage.

On 13 February, at the Sala Boninelli of the Biblioteca Tiraboschi, the international conference "Polytechnics and Universities of the Arts. Comparing Models of Interdisciplinarity" was held, bringing together the national and international partners of the INPA project to reflect on the institutional and pedagogical models capable of fostering interdisciplinary encounters in Higher Arts Education.

On 15 February at Daste Arena, the festival concluded with the grand concert of the Conservatorio's Pop/Rock Department, on which occasion Mauro Pagani — legendary PFM musician, multi-instrumentalist and arranger for some of Italy's greatest singer-songwriters — received a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Programme

Friday, 23 January, 2026

FESTIVAL PREVIEW: MYSTERY TRAIN

20:00 | Teatro Sociale (Via Bartolomeo Colleoni, 4 - Bergamo)

A journey through the American imagination, combining historical storytelling and live music to explore one of the most evocative symbols of modernity: the railway. The event is produced by the PhD Programme in Production, Management and Administration of the Arts, Performing Arts and AFAM Institutions, established by the “Santa Cecilia” Conservatory of Rome in partnership with the Bergamo Polytechnic of the Arts and the University of Bergamo, with the support of the Fondazione Teatro Donizetti.

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

CONCERT OF THE G. DONIZETTI CONSERVATORY ORCHESTRA

20:30 | Teatro Donizetti (Piazza Cavour, 15 - Bergamo)

Conductor: Mª Gianna Fratta

Musical Program: F. Mendelssohn: “Le Ebridi” Ouverture in B minor op. 26.

L.V. Beethoven: Sinfonia n. 6 in F major op. 68 “Pastorale” (Movements I-V): I. Risveglio di piacevoli sensazioni all’arrivo in campagna - Allegro ma non troppo II. Scena presso il ruscello - Andante molto mosso III. Gaia riunione di contadini - Allegro IV. Temporale, tempesta - Allegro V. Canto del pastore: sentimenti di gioia e gratitudine dopo la tempesta - Allegretto

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

OPENING OF ACADEMY STUDENT EXHIBITIONS

18:00 | Succursale Accademia di belle arti G. Carrara (Via Suardi, 6 - Bergamo)

99 fotografie sbagliate Exhibition of Luca Andreoni’s Photography courses

Chi chiama chi? Exhibition of the second year of the Painting Master’s program, curated by Camilla Aprile

Thursday, February 5, 2026

SOUND UNDESIGN 5

17:00 - 24:00 | Daste Arena (Via Daste e Spalenga, 13 - Bergamo)

Sound Undesign is the electronic music evening dedicated to live sets by students of the Sound Design and Post-internet Music courses at the Polytechnic of Arts of Bergamo taught by Riccardo Benassi. Now in its fifth edition, the evening extends from late afternoon to late night, involving for the first time projects by graduates as well.

Saturday, February 7, 2026

FLÂNEUR

17:30 | Museum of Contemporary Art of Luzzana - Donazione Meli (Via Castello, 73, Luzzana BG)

Collective exhibition of the specialized Painting master’s program, curated by Agustin Sanchez. The project, created by students of the specialized Painting master’s program at the Polytechnic of Arts of Bergamo, takes its starting point from the figure of the flâneur: the contemplative observer who traverses urban and natural spaces with slow steps, watchful gaze, and poetic disposition. The flâneur is not simply one who walks; they are an artist of time, an interpreter of places, a silent witness to the transformations of the city and society. Opening: February 7 to 22. Hours: Wed 2:00–6:30 PM; Sat 9:00 AM–12:30 PM; Sun 3:00–6:00 PM.

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

FILM SCREENING: “PELLIZZA - PITTORE DA VOLPEDO”

18:00 | Schermo Bianco Lab 80 (Via Daste e Spalenga, 15 - Bergamo)

Directed by Francesco Fei, presentation by Maria Grazia Recanati, followed by dialogue with the director. The documentary film, enriched by the participation of Fabrizio Bentivoglio, provides a deep and unprecedented portrait of Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo, master of Divisionism. Beyond the fame of Il Quarto Stato, the work investigates the artist’s human complexity, his inner torment and radical social commitment, immersing the viewer in the places and colors that marked his brief but intense existence.

Thursday, February 12, 2026

OPENING OF INTERSCAPE EXHIBITIONS

14:00 | Palazzo della Libertà (Piazza della Libertà - Bergamo)

17:00 | GAMeC, Spazio Zero (Via San Tomaso, 53 - Bergamo)

18:30 | Accademia di Belle Arti G. Carrara, Aula B1 (Piazza Giacomo Carrara, 82/d - Bergamo)

Artists on display: Stefano Agnini, María Brito Calleja, Sara Camaiti, Benedetta Carini, Sara Cavaioli, Ivana Čuturić, Cecilia Danesi, Vasilija Dobric, Sirio Guaiana, Laura Guerrazzi, Paola Iacovino, Elena Laghi, Bianca Levi, Martina Minzoni, Giulio Monciatti, Juan Jesús Moreno Mariscal, Giotto Orsini, Giulia Petronio, Samuele Pigliapochi, Elena Regini, Carlos Sandoica López, Sofia Senesi, Francesco Stabile, Marta Tessaroli, Tâmisa Trommer, Katja Voinova, Petra Weber.

Exhibitions curated by Bianca Trevisan and Daniele Maffeis.

During the evening, a selection of musical performances conducted by Mo Fabian Panisello, original compositions for Soprano, Piano, Tuba and Live electronics created by INTERSCAPE students curated by Umberto Pedraglio.

Followed by closing toast.

Friday, February 13, 2026

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: “POLYTECHNICS AND UNIVERSITIES OF THE ARTS. MODELS OF INTERDISCIPLINARITY COMPARED”

10:00 - 17:30 | Sala Boninelli, Biblioteca Tiraboschi (Via San Bernardino, 74 - Bergamo)

Morning Session (10:00 - 13:00)

Opening of Work Chair International Session (in English): Bianca Trevisan – Project Manager INTERSCAPE.

International Partner Presentations: Prof. Sebastian Utzni (HSLU Lucerna) Dr. Jostein Gundersen (University of Bergen) Prof.ssa Eva Marciel (TAI Madrid) Prof.ssa Marijana Kokanovic Markovic (University of Novi Sad)

Afternoon Session (14:30 - 17:30)

Opening of AFAM Work: Presentations by Presidents of National Conferences: Prof. Tommaso Salvatori (ISIA) Prof. Ivano Lai (Conservatories) M° Roberto Antonello (Conservatory Directors) Prof. Umberto De Paola (Academies)

Round Table: Italian Partners INPA/INTERSCAPE

OPENING OF INTERSCAPE EXHIBITIONS

10:00 - 19:00 | Palazzo della Libertà, GAMeC.

OPENING OF INTERSCAPE EXHIBITIONS

10:00 - 17:00 | Accademia di Belle Arti G. Carrara.

INTERSCAPE CONCERT - PERFORMANCE OF ORIGINAL INTERSCAPE WORKS

18:30 | Accademia di Belle Arti G. Carrara, Aula B1

Musical performances conducted by Mo Fabian Panisello, original compositions created by INTERSCAPE students curated by Umberto Pedraglio

Composers: María Pía Alvarado Arróspide, Alessandro Artico, Arian Baniasadi, Giulia Bedeschi, Felipe Blini, Luca Brembilla, Veronica Bria, Daniel Cristóbal, Sevan Gharibian, Marcello Licata, Marilena Licata, Nicola Ortodossi, Massimiliano Seggio, Capucine Seuret, Ana Sofía Vela Ramírez.

Electroacoustic Composers: Piero Bindi, Nicoline Janka, Lorenzo Milani, Leonardo Panni, Lorenzo Ruggieri.

Soprano: Elisabetta Nessi.

Bass Tuba: Jacopo Franchi.

Piano: Nicola Argelli, Elena Campiotti, Francesco Romeri.

Toast during intermission

Reservation required

Saturday, February 14, 2026

EXHIBITIONS OPEN

10:00 - 19:00 | Palazzo della Libertà, GAMeC, Accademia B1

LIVE PERFORMANCE OF ORIGINAL INTERSCAPE WORKS

11:00 | Accademia di Belle Arti G. Carrara, Aula B1

16:00 | Accademia di Belle Arti G. Carrara, Aula B1

Musical performances conducted by Mo Fabian Panisello, original compositions created by INTERSCAPE students curated by Umberto Pedraglio

Composers: María Pía Alvarado Arróspide, Alessandro Artico, Arian Baniasadi, Giulia Bedeschi, Felipe Blini, Luca Brembilla, Veronica Bria, Daniel Cristóbal, Sevan Gharibian, Marcello Licata, Marilena Licata, Nicola Ortodossi, Massimiliano Seggio, Capucine Seuret, Ana Sofía Vela Ramírez.

Electroacoustic Composers: Piero Bindi, Nicoline Janka, Lorenzo Milani, Leonardo Panni, Lorenzo Ruggieri.

Soprano: Elisabetta Nessi.

Bass Tuba: Jacopo Franchi.

Piano: Nicola Argelli, Elena Campiotti, Francesco Romeri.

Sunday, February 15, 2026

OPENING OF INTERSCAPE EXHIBITIONS

10:00 - 19:00 | Palazzo della Libertà, GAMeC, Accademia.

CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT + INTERSCAPE ELECTROACOUSTIC PERFORMANCES

11:00 | Accademia di Belle Arti G. Carrara, Aula B1

I. Voice and Piano Duo: Duo Zu & Roberta Vorzitelli. Music by G. Fauré (Clair de lune, Mandoline, Au bord de l’eau, La lune blanche).

II. Guitar Duo: Duo Leyenda. Musiche di I. Albéniz (Asturias) e S. Assad.

III. Flute and Guitar Duo: Michela Podera & Raffaele Mezzanotti. Musiche di H. Villa-Lobos e M. D. Pujol.

IV. INTERSCAPE Electroacoustic: Fractures by Piero Bindi (Electroacoustic composition). The Frog King by Leonardo Panni (Electroacoustic composition).

CLOSING POP ROCK CONCERT

20:00 - 22:00 | Daste Arena (Via Daste e Spalenga, 13 - Bergamo)

Lifetime achievement award to Mauro Pagani, historic musician of PFM, multi-instrumentalist and arranger for the greatest Italian singer-songwriters, starting with Fabrizio De André. There is a moment when daily study becomes pure energy: that moment is the stage. On the occasion of the Tono Festival 2026, the Pop Rock Department of the Conservatory of Bergamo brings to the Spazio Daste stage all the strength of a school that looks to the future without forgetting its roots. Among warm amplifiers and driving rhythms, four bands of young talents - formed within ensemble music lessons under the guidance of Professor Chicco Gussoni - will alternate to tell their vision of the great international repertoire and the great authors of our tradition; the music that made history will be reinvented with personality and contemporary spirit. This concert is not just a performance, but the celebration of a shared language: you learn it by playing it, breathing it, being inside a band. And when everything works, you can feel it. It is the demonstration that when you play together, with discipline and passion, the result is something magnetic.

FESTIVAL VENUES

G. Carrara Academy of Fine Arts (Room B1 – second floor) Piazza Giacomo Carrara, 82/d - Bergamo

G. Carrara Academy of Fine Arts – Suardi Branch Via Suardi, 6 - Bergamo

Tiraboschi Library (Sala Boninelli) Via San Bernardino, 74 - Bergamo

Daste Arena Via Daste e Spalenga, 13 - Bergamo

GAMeC (Spazio Zero) Via San Tomaso, 53 - Bergamo

Luzzana Museum of Contemporary Art - Donazione Meli Via Castello, 73 - Luzzana (BG)

Palazzo della Libertà Piazza della Libertà - Bergamo

Schermo Bianco Lab 80 Via Daste e Spalenga, 15 - Bergamo

Teatro Donizetti Piazza Cavour, 15 - Bergamo

Teatro Sociale Via Bartolomeo Colleoni, 4 - Bergamo