24 – 30 August 2026
Vergottis Cultural Centre, Kourkoumelata, Kefalonia
The George & Marie Vergottis Foundation co-organises with the Athenian Mandolinata “Nikolaos Lavdas” the 6th Summer Seminar of Classical Mandolin & Plucked String Orchestra, which for the first time travels to the Ionian Islands and is hosted at the Vergottis Cultural Centre in Kefalonia.
Two distinguished Italian musicians have been invited to take part:
Claudio Mandonico – An internationally renowned composer and conductor, whose output includes numerous important works for mandolin and for plucked string orchestras.
Raffaele La Ragione – A virtuoso of the mandolin, regarded as one of the most significant contemporary performers of the instrument worldwide.
Schedule & programme of events
1. Seminar teaching programme (24 – 29 August)
Opening: Monday 24 August, 18:00
Daily programme (Tuesday to Saturday):
- 09:30 – 11:00 Technique, mandolin study & chamber music
- 11:00 – 13:30 Orchestra rehearsal
- 18:00 – 21:30 Orchestra rehearsal
Guided by Claudio Mandonico and Raffaele La Ragione, participants will discover the history of the instrument, become acquainted with the entire family of plucked string instruments, experiment with new musical challenges and experience orchestral rehearsal along the lines of European ensembles.
Who it is for: music students and musicians who play an instrument of the mandolin orchestra (mandolin, mandola, mandocello, guitar) and wish to explore in depth the technique, musical expression, repertoire and structure of a plucked string orchestra. Basic score reading is required.
Participation in the seminar is free of charge.
2. Music education activity for children (Wednesday 26 August)
“Bring me 1 mandolin” – 19:00 – 20:30
An educational programme for primary and secondary school children. Through an interactive approach, children will get to know the classical mandolin up close, along with the other instruments of the plucked string family (mandola, mandocello, guitar).
Curated by Evi Kaisari, music educator.
3. Concert series (28 & 29 August)
Friday 28 August 2026 – “The Mandolin through the Centuries: From Vivaldi to Mandonico”
A concert bridging three centuries of musical creation, from the brilliance of the Baroque to contemporary musical explorations. Works by Vivaldi, Weiss and Bach converse with the distinctive tonal colours of Leo Brouwer and Claudio Mandonico, highlighting the enduring expressiveness of the mandolin and of the guitar tradition.
Saturday 29 August 2026 – “Serenata Ionica: A musical tribute to Kefalonia and the Ionian”
A musical journey through the Ionian and the western musical tradition, with works by leading Ionian composers alongside contemporary creations for mandolin orchestra. From Nikolaos Mantzaros, Pavlos Carrer and Spyridon Samaras to Dimitris Lagios and Claudio Mandonico, the programme brings out the fertile encounter of Greek and Italian musical culture that was cultivated and flourished in the Ionian Islands.
Both concerts begin at 20:30 at the Vergottis Cultural Centre in Kourkoumelata, with free admission.
Information & contact
Websites: www.athenianmandolinata.com & vergottisfoundation.org
Further information for journalists and media representatives:
Sofia Eleni Athanasatou, Administrative Director
Telephone: 26710 42255
Email: info@vergottisfoundation.org
The full concert programmes
Photos
