In the stone-walled atrium of Palazzo Risolo, one of Specchia's most elegant Renaissance landmarks, the unmistakable melodies of Ennio Morricone come alive under the night sky. This first evening of the Borgo Sonoro festival brings together four accomplished jazz musicians to reinterpret the maestro's cinematic legacy in a setting that feels both intimate and grand. The cobbled streets of Specchia, one of Italy's most beautiful borghi, lead visitors through centuries-old archways and into this atmospheric courtyard where history and music converge.
The Magic of Open-Air Jazz in a Renaissance Courtyard
Palazzo Risolo's atrium transforms into a natural amphitheater as dusk settles over the hilltop town. The quartet—Alberto Di Leone on trumpet and flugelhorn, Antonio Laviero at the piano, Antonello Losacco on electric bass, and Cesare Pastanella on drums and percussion—craft a dialogue between Morricone's iconic film scores and modern jazz improvisation. The stone walls carry every note with remarkable clarity, creating an acoustic experience that electronic amplification can never replicate.
The choice of instruments brings unexpected textures to familiar themes. Di Leone's flugelhorn lends a warm, velvety quality to pieces that cinema audiences know by heart, while Laviero's piano work explores harmonic territory Morricone himself might have nodded to approvingly.
Specchia's Hidden Cultural Calendar
This concert is part of Borgo Sonoro's seasonal programming, which transforms Specchia's historic venues into stages throughout the warmer months. The town itself is a vertical maze of whitewashed houses, arched passageways, and sudden panoramic views over olive groves that stretch toward both the Ionian and Adriatic coasts. Arriving an hour early allows time to wander the centro storico, where family-run bakeries still produce pasticciotti using recipes unchanged for generations.
After the concert, the piazza remains alive with locals and visitors lingering over aperitivi, discussing the evening's highlights in a mix of Italian dialects and accented English. It's this blend of high culture and everyday conviviality that defines Specchia's appeal.
What to Expect and When to Arrive
The concert draws jazz enthusiasts, cinema lovers, and curious travelers who stumble upon Specchia during their exploration of Puglia's southern hill towns. Because seating in the atrium is limited and the event is free, arriving at least thirty minutes before the start time is wise. Bring a light shawl or jacket—even summer evenings turn cool once the sun drops behind the Serre hills.
- Acoustics shaped by centuries-old architecture that amplify every cymbal shimmer and bass note
- A repertoire spanning Morricone's Westerns, thrillers, and art-house scores, reimagined through jazz idioms
- Post-concert atmosphere spilling into nearby wine bars and trattorie
- Photography opportunities as twilight turns the palazzo's façade a honeyed gold
- Easy pairing with a daytime visit to the underground olive oil mill or the Convento dei Francescani Neri
Beyond the Courtyard
Specchia sits at the crossroads of two coastal routes, making it an ideal base for alternating between beach mornings and cultural evenings. The Ionian coast beaches of Pescoluse and Torre Vado lie fifteen minutes west, while the rockier Adriatic shores near Castro and Santa Cesarea Terme are equally close. The town's position atop a hill also means sunset views that stretch from the Capo di Leuca peninsula to the Murge plateau on clear nights.
Combining this concert with an afternoon tasting at a nearby masseria or a late lunch in the gardens of a countryside agriturismo turns a single evening event into a full sensory immersion in Puglia's quieter, less-tourist-trodden interior.