Quintet Bislacco, who performed at the Castello Visconteo di Vogogna.

This is its 49th year, but I really believe the Stresa Festival, the Settimane Musicali di Stresa, is finally beginning to get the recognition that it so deserves. From the caliber of the musicians, to the variety of musical genres and nationalities represented, to the venues, so magical that the music seems almost too much of a gift on top of such beauty, there is simply nothing anywhere like the Stresa Festival. Much promotion in recent years, as well as the assistance of social networks of bloggers and sites such as Facebook, have finally finally finally made the festival as well known as it should be.

Thomas Zehetmair plays Bach violin solos at the Chiesa del Collegio Rosmini over two nights.

I hope you get the idea. These listed above take place in the span of a few DAYS; can you imagine an entire summer's worth?

And don't forget one of the highlights of every summer... the amazing Bach solo suites for violincello at the medieval Eremo di Santa Caterina del Sasso. Absolutely took my breath away when I went last year.

If you're planning to be in Stresa during a summer, bookmark these pages. And make a performance a part of your trip.

Or bookmark the Festival home page: http://www.stresafestival.eu/