Surround yourself not only with sights, but with sounds, for a magical, musical stay in Stresa. If you're in Stresa this summer, or will be, here are three more melodic events that you should know about:

Concerti Al'Antica Cava di Ornavasso: Already underway, and running until August 18, these are a series of concerts, focusing on jazz, that take place in a most unusual venue -- 200 meters below the ground at the marble quarry at Ornavasso. A working quarry since Roman times, the marble from here has been used for some very well known buildings, most notably the Duomo di Milano. Concert goers will enter the theatre through a long quarry tunnel, wearing hardhats, and sit in a small underground chamber. In addition to the music most performances are multimedia events, with light shows or projections on the back stone wall. There are a number of various ticket offerings; some include dinner at a local restaurant. Basic admission to the quarry and a concert is 10 euro.

Ornavasso is about 20 minutes north of Stresa. You will need a car, or arrange for a ride, to reach this location. For complete information, and tickets, visit the official site here:  www.anticacava.it/eventi

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The Ameno Blues Festival 2011, on Lago d'Orta, has also already begun, but there are two more appointments on the schedule. On July 8 the East River String Band will perform, and on the next evening, July 9, 19th Street Red will take the stage. Tickets are 8 euro for one concert or 15 euro for both; for persons under 14 or over 70 the concerts are free. Both performances start at 8 pm.

Lago d'Orta can be reached during the day easily by bus from Stresa during the summer, but the bus does not run in the late evening to return from the concert. Therefore, it will be necessary to arrange for return transportation or to go with a car. For more information about these blues concerts, and to purchase tickets, visit the site at: http://www.amenoblues.it/index.php

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Now in its fourteenth year, the Baveno Festival Umberto Giordano is another series of musical events that combines ancient and natural venues with modern technology and enchanting music. Named for the composer who spent much of his life living and working in his beloved Villa Fedora in Baveno, the festival showcases all genres of music from the past century, as well as other art forms such as poetry, light, and sound, in these multimedia events. The 13 performances begin on July 8 and continue until July 22, 2011. The venues include Chiesa SS Gervaso and Protaso, Baveno; Chiesa San Carlo, Feriolo; the quarry at Baveno; and the lakefront at Baveno, for the very special Painted Sails (Le vele dipinte) event. Some events are free, and some have a small admission. 

Baveno is the town adjacent to Stresa, only 3 miles along the lake. During the day it is easy to reach Baveno by bus or ferry; however, late at night these no longer run and it may be necessary to take a taxi back to Stresa.

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Whether you choose to try one performance during your vacation, or perhaps music is a central part of your itinerary, you could not find yourself in any more of a NOTE-worthy location than Stresa. In addition to these above-mentioned performances don't forget to check the important Stresa Festival schedule, and also, don't forget the more casual, but also enjoyable, music offered in other local Stresa venues, such as jazz each Thursday at Cafe Verbanella, music almost nightly outdoors in front of Cafe Bolongaro, the frequent free musical offerings both inside and outside the Regina Palace hotel (check at the hotel for this schedule), and for those looking for some more modern rock or dance music, the weekend live bands at Lido Baveno and Loco Beach Club.