Overview
Musica sulle Apuane, Music on the Apuan Alps, is the cultural festival at high altitude that brings together music and mountains in the Apuan Alps, northern Tuscany between the Serchio River, the Aulella Stream and the Versilia Plain. The area constitutes a UNESCO Global Geopark that comprehends the sharp mountain range known as Dolomites in miniature, still waiting for tourism that is more aware and respectful, which is expression of spontaneous exchange between beauty of nature and culture of man, a tourism that music can encourage.
The festival is an annual musical festival with various concerts at several locations in the Apuan Alps, organized as live music concerts performed by professional musicians in particularly suggestive points of the Apuan Alps, in province of Massa Carrara. The idea has been established in Trentino for several years thanks to creativity and enthusiasm of Venetian cellist Mario Brunello, one of creators of I Suoni delle Dolomiti festival. The echoes of Dolomites have reached our Dolomites in miniature: the Apuan Alps. The festival is founded by artistic director Gioia Giusti, accomplished pianist performing in several national and international festivals and music educator teaching piano in local music high schools, together with Italian Alpine Club CAI branch in city of Massa.
The festival joins network of Italian Mountain Music Festivals together with I Suoni delle Dolomiti Trentino, MusicaStelle Outdoor Valle d’Aosta, Paesaggi Sonori Abruzzo, RisorgiMarche Marche, Suoni Controvento Umbria, Suoni della Murgia Puglia, and Time in Jazz Sardinia, promoting ecomusicology and music ecotourism.
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What Makes This Event Special
Music and mountains without barriers: Musicians and listeners united in one path, without any separation due to architectural barriers, in total sharing. A sharing that does not end with last note of concert. Music is described as sharing of emotions and empathy between artist and those who accept it without reservations, to be led into unpredictable sound world that arouses individual and collective sensations.
High altitude cultural festival: Cultural festival at high altitude from June to September that brings together music and mountains, where Apuan Alps host artists from all over Italy who reach event site together with public.
Ecotourism and sustainability: Festival advocates for music ecotourism, combining guided walk through park and solo violin concert amidst serene backdrop of nature, emphasizing sensory exploration and ecological awareness. Performance is medium, not main purpose, although obviously highlight of day, but medium for environmental experience, to make people spend as much time as possible in mountains.
Free access model: Both Musica sulle Apuane and I Suoni delle Dolomiti are free of charge, and everybody can join, although for Apuan Alps visitors should be members of local branch of Italian Alpine Club CAI situated in city of Massa. For club membership small annual fee is charged – 6 euros in 2023 – ensuring proper insurance coverage during trekking activities.
Community driven: Main driving force is artistic director’s effort, with local branch of CAI as main financial sponsor, plus Apuane Park authority and institutions of single municipalities hosting concerts in their premises together with Massa municipality. Organisation also self-supports selling t-shirts and gadgets, with musicians often asked to perform for reduced fee, reflecting authentic community spirit.
Lineup / Featured Artists
Artistic direction: Gioia Giusti – pianist and artistic director of High Altitude Festival, project she founded with Italian Alpine Club.
Featured artists from previous editions:
- Mario Brunello – Venetian cellist, creator of I Suoni delle Dolomiti, inspiration for festival, with programme such as Bach sulle Apuane.
- Livensemble Jazz Orchestra conducted by Maestro Mauro Grossi – presenting Mediterrando.
- Professional musicians from all over Italy performing in particularly suggestive points of Apuan Alps.
- Soloists including violin, piano, chamber ensembles, jazz orchestras, and vocalists.
Diverse genres: Classical, contemporary, jazz, folk, and experimental music, with occasional open-air theatrical performance and film screening.
2023 edition reference: 11th edition included seven concerts, one open-air theatrical performance and one film screening in nine different locations within natural park or surrounding areas, with six concerts including walking excursion of different levels of difficulty.
Event Experience
Experience is centered on trek to listen to concert as unique experience for those who love music and mountains. Musicians and listeners united in single path, without separation or architectural barriers, in total sharing.
Programme includes hike with CAI guides, lunch at reference refuge, free concert at pre-arranged time, return in evening. For five concerts, guided hikes scheduled just before performances, carefully planned either to reach concert site and temporary stage or as loop trail starting and ending at concert location. For one concert, hike organized day after, constituting two-day event. Six out of seven concerts organized in outdoor locations weather permitting.
Music not only lives in theatres or other conventional places, it is something too large and universal for single place to make it its own, has always accompanied man. Humans have perceived it among stars, among sounds of forests, singing of birds, in voice of sea.
Attendees must travel to locations on their own, as Dolomites festival provides shuttle buses but Apuane festival does not, leading tourists to prefer concerts on coastal side closer to numerous seaside tourist towns than those on Garfagnana side.
Date & Schedule
Season: April – September 2027 – Dates TBD – Musica sulle Apuane – Festival culturale in quota – Apuan Alps, Tuscany, Italy
Typical season reference: From June to September cultural festival at high altitude, with previous edition from April 25 to September 8, 2026 organizing live music concerts in province of Massa Carrara, and 2023 edition running June 10 to September 3 with seven concerts in nine locations
Daily schedule reference: Programme includes hike with CAI guides in morning, lunch at reference refuge midday, free concert at pre-arranged time afternoon, return in evening
Special events: Open-air theatrical performance and film screening included in programme
Official info: +39 328 113 9964, musicasulleapuane@gmail.com, https://www.musicasulleapuane.it/, founded with Italian Alpine Club Massa branch, part of network of Italian Mountain Music Festivals
Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.
Location & Venue
Region: Apuan Alps, northern Tuscany, Italy – UNESCO Global Geopark between Serchio River, Aulella Stream and Versilia Plain, province of Massa Carrara, sharp mountain range known as miniature Dolomites.
Venue type: Particularly suggestive points of Apuan Alps – natural park, mountain refuges, alpine meadows, quarries viewpoints, coastal side and Garfagnana side. Locations include reference refuges serving as meeting point, temporary stages in outdoor locations weather permitting, and surrounding municipalities hosting concerts in their premises.
Access points: Meeting points typically at CAI Massa branch, refuge parking areas, or village squares. Hike routes carefully planned with different levels of difficulty, from easy walks to more demanding treks, with loop trails starting and ending at concert location.
Geopark setting: Area comprehends dramatic marble quarries, dense beech forests, and panoramic peaks with views of Versilia Plain and Tyrrhenian Sea.
Event History
Il festival culturale in quota Musica sulle Apuane is annual musical festival with various concerts at several locations in Apuan Alps, now in its 11th to 14th edition range. Idea established in Trentino for several years thanks to creativity and enthusiasm of Mario Brunello, one of creators of I Suoni delle Dolomiti festival. Echoes of Dolomites have reached our Dolomites in miniature.
Founded by Gioia Giusti with Italian Alpine Club, festival has grown from small local initiative to member of network of Italian Mountain Music Festivals together with I Suoni delle Dolomiti, MusicaStelle Outdoor, Paesaggi Sonori, RisorgiMarche, Suoni Controvento, Suoni della Murgia, Time in Jazz.
Past editions included collaborations with Festival della Mente, performances by Mario Brunello with Bach sulle Apuane, and jazz orchestras. Economic model relies on CAI Massa main sponsor, Apuane Park authority, municipalities, and self-support through merchandise. Musicians included often perform for reduced fee supporting community ethos. Studies on ecotourism in Italy have highlighted festival as case study for music ecotourism advocating for music-based ecotourism activities combining music and environmental appreciation.
Getting to the Event
Base city: Massa, Tuscany – home of CAI Massa branch organizing hikes.
By train: Massa Centro station on Pisa – La Spezia – Genoa line, served by Trenitalia regional and Intercity trains from Florence, Pisa, La Spezia.
By car: A12 motorway exit Massa, then provincial roads toward Apuan Alps villages such as Resceto, Altagnana, Forno, Casette, Antona, with parking at refuge areas or village meeting points. Attendees must travel to locations on their own, no shuttle buses provided.
By air: Pisa International Airport, then train to Massa Centro, or Florence Airport.
Within mountains: Follow CAI guides from meeting point, with hiking trails marked by CAI signage. For some concerts, visitors could choose to either drive to location or carpool with other visitors.
Where to Stay Nearby
Massa and Carrara: Base for CAI Massa branch, offering hotels, B&Bs, and apartments within 15 to 30 minutes drive to Apuan trailheads.
Versilia coast – Pietrasanta, Forte dei Marmi, Marina di Massa: Coastal side closer to numerous seaside tourist towns, preferred for concerts on coastal side, with beach resorts and easy access to Apuan Alps via foothill roads.
Garfagnana side – Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Vagli: Quieter mountain side with agriturismi and mountain huts, ideal for Garfagnana side concerts, more authentic mountain experience.
Refuges: Apuan refuges such as Rifugio del Freo, Rifugio Città di Massa, Rifugio Nello Conti offer overnight stays with half-board, lunch at reference refuge included in some festival days.
Things to Do Before or After the Event
Hiking: Apuan Alps offer extensive CAI trail network with varying difficulty, including routes to Monte Pisanino, Pizzo d’Uccello, and marble quarry viewpoints.
UNESCO Geopark exploration: Visit marble quarries of Carrara, cave museums, and geopark visitor centers explaining geology.
Cultural visits: Massa Malaspina Castle, Carrara Academy of Fine Arts, Pietrasanta sculpture town.
Other mountain music festivals: Combine with I Suoni delle Dolomiti, MusicaStelle Outdoor, Paesaggi Sonori for extended Italian mountain music tour.
Ecotourism activities: Guided walks through natural park, sensory exploration and ecological awareness activities facilitated by local cultural associations promoting community engagement with nature.
Restaurants & Dining Nearby
Refuge dining: Lunch at reference refuge typically included or available, serving organic food, local Tuscan mountain cuisine such as tordelli, farro soups, and local cheeses.
Massa and villages: Trattorias in Resceto, Forno, Altagnana offering traditional Apuan dishes.
Versilia coast: Seafood restaurants in Marina di Massa, Pietrasanta, with fresh catch and Ligurian-Tuscan fusion.
Festival catering: During concert days, refuge bars offer refreshments, with organic food presence noted in regional eco-festivals.
Self-catering: Bring water and snacks for hikes, as some outdoor locations have limited services.
Ticket Information
General model: Both Musica sulle Apuane and I Suoni delle Dolomiti are free of charge, and everybody can join, although for Apuan Alps visitors should be members of local branch of Italian Alpine Club CAI situated in city of Massa for insurance coverage.
CAI membership: Small annual fee charged – $6.50 USD corresponding to EUR 6 in 2023 – ensures proper insurance coverage during trekking activities. Membership can be obtained at CAI Massa.
Concert tickets: Free concert at pre-arranged time, no ticket cost for music itself. Some special events such as open-air theatrical performance or film screening may have small contribution.
Pricing in USD: Annual CAI membership $6.50 USD corresponding to EUR 6, daily guided hike participation free with membership, refuge lunch typically $16 to $27 USD corresponding to EUR 15 to 25 depending on menu, t-shirts and gadgets sold to support organisation $11 to $27 USD corresponding to EUR 10 to 25. If ticketed special concerts introduced, previous similar mountain festivals price single concert $16 USD corresponding to EUR 15, reduced $10.80 USD corresponding to EUR 10 for under 30.
Tips Before You Go
Membership: Become member of CAI Massa before season to ensure insurance coverage and support festival – small annual fee ensures proper coverage during trekking activities.
Transport: No shuttle buses – attendees must travel to locations on their own, often preferring coastal side closer to seaside towns – carpooling with other visitors recommended, check meeting point carefully.
Hiking preparation: Six out of seven concerts include walking excursion of different levels of difficulty, only one mandatorily accessible through hike, others optional drive – wear proper hiking boots, bring layers for high altitude weather changes, as concerts organized in outdoor locations weather permitting.
Philosophy: Remember musical performance is medium not main purpose, although obviously highlight of day, but medium for environmental experience to make people spend as much time as possible in mountains – embrace total sharing without architectural barriers.
Support: Organisation self-supports selling t-shirts and other gadgets – consider purchasing to support community-driven festival where musicians often perform for reduced fee and regional institution offers no support.
Official Event Information
Name: Musica sulle Apuane – Festival culturale in quota – Music on the Apuan Alps
Website: https://www.musicasulleapuane.it/
Contact: +39 328 113 9964, musicasulleapuane@gmail.com
Organizer: Artistic director Gioia Giusti, with Italian Alpine Club CAI Massa branch, Apuane Park authority, municipalities hosting concerts, Massa municipality
Network: Part of network of Italian Mountain Music Festivals with I Suoni delle Dolomiti, MusicaStelle Outdoor, Paesaggi Sonori, RisorgiMarche, Suoni Controvento, Suoni della Murgia, Time in Jazz
Location: Apuan Alps UNESCO Global Geopark, province of Massa Carrara, northern Tuscany between Serchio River, Aulella Stream and Versilia Plain
Cost: Free of charge concerts, CAI membership required for insurance
Attendee Experiences
Attendees describe trek to listen to concert as unique experience for those who love music and mountains, with musicians and listeners united in single path, without separation or architectural barriers, in total sharing. Fieldwork interviews note sensory exploration and ecological awareness through music, facilitated by local artists.
Visitors interviewed after events stated they discussed event and performances with group members, highlighting social sharing that does not end with last note of concert. Predominant activities are hiking and sightseeing, with artistic experience making everything more impressive.
Many appreciate free access model allowing everybody to join, with guided hikes scheduled just before performances carefully planned either to reach concert site and temporary stage or as loop trail. Preference for coastal side concerts noted due to proximity to seaside tourist towns, while Garfagnana side offers quieter authentic mountain experience.
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FAQ
How does Musica sulle Apuane work with hiking and concerts?
The program includes hike with CAI guides, lunch at reference refuge, free concert at pre-arranged time, and return in evening. For five concerts guided hikes are scheduled just before performances either to reach concert site and temporary stage or as loop trail starting and ending at concert location. For one concert hike is organized day after constituting two-day event. Six out of seven concerts are organized in outdoor locations weather permitting, with hike optional for most and mandatory for one.
Do I need to pay for concerts and what is CAI membership?
Both Musica sulle Apuane and I Suoni delle Dolomiti are free of charge and everybody can join, although for Apuan Alps visitors should be members of local branch of Italian Alpine Club CAI situated in Massa. For club membership small annual fee is charged – 6 euros in 2023 – ensuring proper insurance coverage during trekking activities. Concerts themselves are free, with organization self-supporting selling t-shirts and gadgets, while refuge lunch costs extra.
Who founded the festival and what inspired it?
The festival was founded by artistic director Gioia Giusti, accomplished pianist and music educator, together with Italian Alpine Club, taking inspiration from I Suoni delle Dolomiti festival created by Venetian cellist Mario Brunello. The idea has been established in Trentino for several years thanks to creativity and enthusiasm of Brunello. Echoes of Dolomites have reached miniature Dolomites – the Apuan Alps – still waiting for more aware and respectful tourism which is expression of spontaneous exchange between beauty of nature and culture of man, a tourism that music can encourage.
Where are concerts held and how do I get there?
Concerts take place in particularly suggestive points of Apuan Alps in province of Massa Carrara, within natural park or surrounding areas, in nine different locations such as refuges, meadows and quarry viewpoints. Area is UNESCO Global Geopark between Serchio River, Aulella Stream and Versilia Plain in northern Tuscany. Attendees must travel to locations on their own as no shuttle buses are provided, unlike Dolomites festival, so they can drive or carpool, meeting CAI guides at reference refuge or village meeting points.
What kind of music can I expect and who performs?
Apuan Alps host artists from all over Italy who reach event site together with public, including professional musicians performing classical, contemporary, jazz and folk. Examples include Mario Brunello with Bach sulle Apuane programme, Livensemble Jazz Orchestra conducted by Mauro Grossi with Mediterrando, and various chamber ensembles. Programme also includes one open-air theatrical performance and one film screening, with six out of seven concerts including walking excursion of different levels of difficulty.
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