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More than an anniversary, this promises to be an extraordinary celebration.
Tomorrow, Wednesday 6 May, BandAdriatica—one of the most distinctive and innovative ensembles on Italy's world music scene—marks its twentieth anniversary with a special event at Lecce's Apollo Theatre. Beginning at 7.00 p.m., the evening celebrates two decades of music, artistic encounters, journeys and cultural exchange.
Admission is free, subject to venue capacity.
Advance booking is recommended (347 5468393 – bandadriatica.com).
Conceived as a collective celebration rather than simply a concert, the event traces the band's artistic journey through the sounds, memories and influences that have shaped its unique musical identity. Over the past twenty years, BandAdriatica has created a constantly evolving musical language in which Southern Italian traditions meet the cultures of the wider Mediterranean, giving rise to a vibrant dialogue between heritage, innovation and contemporary creativity.
The concert will revisit the defining moments of the ensemble's artistic career, exploring a rich musical landscape where the brass bands of Puglia meet Balkan fanfares, Middle Eastern melodies, North African rhythms and the folk traditions of Salento. At the same time, the evening offers an opportunity to celebrate the many collaborations that have accompanied the band's evolution, welcoming back to the stage artists who have helped shape its history.
The long-standing line-up—remarkably, seven of its eight members have been with the ensemble since its foundation—is led by Claudio Prima (diatonic accordion and vocals) and includes Emanuele Coluccia (saxophone), Andrea Perrone (trumpet), Vincenzo Grasso (clarinet), Gaetano Carrozzo (trombone), Morris Pellizzari (guitars), Giuseppe Spedicato (bass) and Ovidio Venturoso (drums).
Joining them on stage for this special anniversary concert will be Maria Mazzotta, Antonio Castrignanò, Rachele Andrioli and Albanian singer Bojken Lako. Each has shared part of BandAdriatica's artistic journey and embodies the ensemble's commitment to experimentation, intercultural dialogue and the creative encounter between tradition and innovation.
The evening will also feature performances by Giovanni Chirico, Giorgio Distante, Nicolò Gambino and Francesco La Viola, among the many musicians who have collaborated with the ensemble over the years.
The event forms part of Armonie del Mediterraneo – Viaggi, Miti e Ritorni, conceived and promoted by the Euromediterranean Cultural Heritage Agency in partnership with the Municipality of Lecce, with the support of the Italian Ministry of Tourism through the National Tourism Fund (FUNT) – Current Expenditure Programme 2025 (CUP F89I25002020001).
The celebrations begin at 7.00 p.m. with a performance by the Salento Grooves Band, which will present a selection of BandAdriatica's music in the traditional style of Southern Italian brass bands before leading audiences in a festive parade through Lecce's historic centre to the square in front of the Apollo Theatre.
Before the concert, visitors will also have the opportunity to explore a photographic exhibition in the theatre foyer, featuring images and archival material documenting some of the most significant moments in the ensemble's twenty-year history—from its earliest performances to its international touring experience.
The concert in Lecce marks the opening of BandAdriatica's 20th Anniversary Tour, which will continue throughout the summer with the participation of long-standing collaborators and guest musicians who have contributed to the ensemble's artistic journey over the past two decades.
The tour will include a number of international performances, with confirmed dates in Tirana (21 May), Budapest (2 June), Lake Balaton (3 June), the Croatian island of Korčula (28 June), and Rudolstadt (4–5 July).
Returning to places that have played a significant role in the group's artistic development, the tour will bring together historic collaborators and special guests in a programme that combines celebrated repertoire, new musical reinterpretations and original performances.
Rather than a nostalgic retrospective, the anniversary tour is conceived as a collective creative project that reaffirms the essence of BandAdriatica's artistic vision: the Mediterranean as a space of encounter, exchange and continual transformation.
Over the past two decades, BandAdriatica has established itself as one of Italy's most distinctive voices in contemporary world music, developing an original musical language that draws together the brass band traditions of Southern Italy, Balkan fanfares, Mediterranean folk music, Middle Eastern influences and North African rhythms.
The ensemble was the only Italian group selected to perform at the prestigious Babel Med Music showcase in Marseille (2017) and at SIM – Semana Internacional de Música in São Paulo (2019), two of the world's leading international platforms for world and global music.
BandAdriatica has appeared at major festivals and concert series across Hungary, the Netherlands, Malta, Cyprus, Spain, Belgium, Slovenia, Austria, Albania, Croatia, Germany, France, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Portugal, establishing a significant presence on the European and Mediterranean world music scene.
International critics have described BandAdriatica as "one of Italy's finest live acts", praising its ability to combine the distinctive sound of Southern Italian brass bands with Balkan fanfares, local folk traditions, Middle Eastern musical influences and the rich heritage of Salento.
Throughout its career, the ensemble has collaborated with leading figures on the international world music scene, including Rony Barrak, Savina Yannatou, Burhan Öçal, Kocani Orkestar, Raiz, Boban Marković Orchestra, Michel Godard and Eva Quartet.
Remaining faithful to its roots while constantly embracing new artistic influences, BandAdriatica continues to redefine the contemporary sound of the Mediterranean, creating performances in which tradition and innovation come together through a shared musical language.
Official website
www.bandadriatica.com
Social media
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bandadriatica
YouTube: www.youtube.com/bandadriatica
