LacMus Festival is an international classical music festival held every summer on Lake Como, one of the most enchanting places in Italy.

Founded by pianist Louis Lortie and conductor Paolo Bressan, the festival combines the magic of music with the uniqueness of the venues and landscapes on Lake Como, making it truly impressive.

There is certainly no shortage of exclusive locations around the lake.

Venues with a unique historical, architectural and scenic value: these are the perfect places where to hold the festival.

The suggestive atmosphere gives the audience an immersive musical experience surrounded by nature, architecture, art, and history.

Here are some examples of amazing venues where the concerts will take place: Villa Carlotta (botanical garden and museum), Villa del Balbianello (FAI heritage – the National Trust of Italy), the Sanctuary of the Beata Vergine del Soccorso on Sacro Monte di Ossuccio (UNESCO World Heritage Sites), Grand Hotel Tremezzo with its “Belle Époque” gardens (one of the most famous historical palaces on the Lake), the Lake Como Greenway (the 11.2 km-trail on the west shore of the Lake), the picturesque Isola Comacina and Villa Melzi d’Eril in Bellagio, a splendid private historic house.

The festival features some of the most internationally recognized music artists and the most promising young students of prestigious music academies. The result is the creation of new synergies between young talents and famous artists who will give the audience spectacular moments.

Among the artists hosted so far in the past editions: Dutch conductor and organist Ton Koopman, Swiss flutist Emmanuel Pahud, musical quintet Les Vents Français, French accordionist Richard Galliano, German operatic soprano Christiane Karg, French operatic mezzo-soprano Sophie Koch, Italian pianist Maurizio Baglini, the Adorno Quartet, concert pianist Andrew von Oeyen, the Symphonic Orchestra Giuseppe Verdi of Milan, Russian baritone Roman Burdenko, French-Swiss violist Miguel da Silva, Italian violinist Giuliano Carmignola, Orchestra conductor Pavel Berman, and, of course, Louis Lortie and Paolo Bressan.

LacMus Festival: music and beyond

LacMus Festival is not just about music: creating and spreading “culture” in a broad sense is a crucial point.

Throughout history, Lake Como has been a preferred destination for famous artists and writers. As a result, the festival’s program often includes exhibitions highlighting the precise connections between history, art, music, and this region, making it a valuable source of research.

The festival is designed to celebrate, promote, and showcase classical music in various forms and support cultural development and innovation.

The festival’s features:

• Wi-fi headphones experience: a way to listen to music while exploring and walking through the venues;
• Sunrise and sunset concerts: breathtaking experiences with breakfast and yoga sessions included;
• LacMus Educational: concerts for music education purposes.

Louis Lortie is a French-Canadian pianist with an extensive repertoire. He has performed with various orchestras worldwide and has been named Artist in Residence of the Shanghai Symphony. He has made over 45 recordings for the Chandos label, including the complete Beethoven sonatas and the complete Liszt “Annees de Pelerinage.” Louis Lortie studied with Yvonne Hubert, Dieter Weber, and Leon Fleisher. He has received several honors and currently resides in Berlin.

Paolo Bressan is a highly acclaimed conductor who has appeared at prestigious venues such as Vienna Konzerthaus, Théatre-des-Champs-Elysée in Paris, and Smetana Hall in Prague. He made his US debut at the Dallas Opera and was conferred the artistic supervision of Diana Damrau’s recording “Works of G. Meyerbeer” and Angela Gheorgiu’s “Verismo” by Warner Music. Bressan started his career at the Mecklenburgisches State Opera in Schwerin, Germany. He studied at the Conservatory “Giuseppe Verdi” in Milan, Italy, and the University of Music “Franz Liszt” in Weimar.

How to participate in the LacMus festival.

The festival is hosted by the American Friends of LacMus Festival (AFLF), a non-profit organization based in the United States. 

The entrance to the concerts is free, and any donations are welcome. 

The AFLF was founded in 2019 by the American Patrons of LacMus festival. Its mission is to provide world-class artistic programming, the highest standard of performances, and opportunities for young musicians to share the stage with great Maestros in the world of classical music. 

Moreover, AFLF acts as a liaison between the LacMus Festival and American friends and patrons, bringing together classical music enthusiasts from across America to enjoy music, arts, history, culture, traditions, and friendship in one of the most beautiful settings on earth.

Visit LacMus’ official website to stay updated on the 2024 festival’s programs and news, and organize your trip to Lake Como to attend this amazing event!

We are waiting for you at our Hotel Loveno to show you the best and fastest way to your favorite concert!