Music as a sanctuary, a dialogue, a claim, and a vision for the future rooted in its origins. It serves as a tool for inner exploration and a medium for the body to tell its story through dance and poetry. The 2026 edition of Percuotere la mente—the contemporary section of the Sagra Musicale Malatestiana—continues to expand and deepen its artistic reach. The program will guide audiences from summer through November, moving between the Corte degli Agostiniani, Teatro Galli, and Teatro degli Atti.
Staying true to its mission of breaking down the boundaries of genres and languages, this journey opens even further to collaborations and artistic crossovers. The first act (July 9) at Teatro Galli features a performance blending live music and dance, directed by Lebanese choreographer Ali Chahrour in collaboration with Santarcangelo Festival 2026.
This marks the start of a musical voyage that will lead into the dreamlike and cinematic atmospheres of Patrick Watson (July 24), making his highly anticipated return to the stage. It continues with the magnetic voice of Anna von Hausswolff (August 9), showcasing the intensity of the pipe organ in dialogue with percussion and guitars—a performance ranging from dark rock to intimate reflections (in collaboration with Mind Marea).
Autumn brings the discovery of experimentation and psychedelic compositions with the Wayne Horvitz Electric Circus (October 10). The American composer will be joined by top musicians from the Tuscany-Emilia-Romagna region, exploring everything from Miles Davis to improvisation. On October 17, the focus shifts to the "sounds of the roots" with Tecno Zaclèn, where the poetry of Pedretti and the raw sounds of the land and the coast are remastered and recomposed through digital technology.
Finally, on November 12, Giovanni Sollima, Vanni Moretto, and Il Pomo d’Oro will bridge the gap between genres by comparing the rock of Frank Zappa with the works of 18th-century cellist and composer Francesco Zappa—the very figure the American rock star celebrated in his 1984 album.