In the heart of Molise, among silent hills and the alleys of Montagano, the Janigro Festival was born, a tribute to the memory and musical genius of Antonio Janigro, an internationally renowned cellist. The festival aims to reconnect the artistic and spiritual legacy of this extraordinary performer with his family origins, deeply rooted in the village of Montagano, where the Janigro family has been present since the late 15th century.
Although Antonio Janigro was born in Milan and founded the chamber ensemble Solisti di Zagabria – still active today – his personal history is rooted in this land. The festival aims to bring this forgotten connection back to light, returning to Molise an important piece of its cultural identity.
At the heart of the initiative is the belief that music has the power to unite past and present, local and global. Just as in the past the Janigro family departed from Montagano to the world, today the festival aims to make the reverse journey: to bring the world to Montagano, through high-level musical events capable of attracting audiences, artists and attention to an area often on the fringes of major cultural circuits.
The Festival’s programming takes place in locations of great historical and scenic value, carefully chosen to offer unique and immersive experiences. These include the Savoia Theater in Campobasso, the church of Faifoli, the archaeological area of Sepino and, of course, streets and squares of the village of Montagano.
The Janigro Festival is not just a music festival, but a cultural and identity project that aims to revitalize the heritage of the Molise territory, starting with the evocative power of music. The ambition of the festival is to transform Montagano into a true citadel of music, inspired by the artistic and human legacy of Antonio Janigro.
Leading this vision is Antonio Meneses, among the most internationally acclaimed cellists and teachers. Alongside him are two of his former students, now established musicians deeply connected to this project: the Molise-born Amedeo Cicchese and Paolo Bonomini, founders of the Duo Janigro.
Questa collaborazione intergenerazionale incarna perfettamente lo spirito del Festival: la continuità degli insegnamenti di Janigro, che attraverso la passione e il talento di nuove generazioni, tornano a vivere proprio nei luoghi delle sue origini.