Pichuco Festival 2026 ARCHI/CHIETI

**PICHUCO FESTIVAL 2026**
**Aníbal “Pichuco” Troilo**
**July 25-26, 2026, Largo Fontana Tommaso Melchiorre in Archi (Chieti)**

**Sunday, July 26 at 17:00**
**THE FIVE ANGLES Aníbal Troilo, Stories of Tango by Andreina Di Girolamo**

*Exclusive preview at Pichuco Festival 2026, the presentation of the book The Five Angles – Aníbal Troilo, Stories of Tango by Andreina Di Girolamo. Conversation with the author Anna Scafati*

**Description**
The life of **Aníbal “Pichuco” Troilo** is told in an intense and poetic narrative that follows his journey: from childhood games with friends and his brother Marcos to the chance encounter with the bandoneón, the instrument that would forever change his destiny. It recounts his early performances, collaborations with the great masters of Tango, and the deep and passionate love for Ida Dudui Kalacci, known as Zita, who would accompany him until the end of his days. The loving and constant figures of his mother Felisa, his grandmother Concezia, and the community of emigrants from Agnone, his maternal grandparents' hometown, form the backdrop of his life.
In contrast to the story of the bandoneón mayor of Buenos Aires flows the tale of Lisa, a young woman who, through Tango and especially Troilo’s music, embarks on an inner journey to discover her emotions and deepest values. Thanks to this experience, Lisa regains trust in herself and others, rediscovering the desire to fully live her life.
A narrative that unites memory, music, and feeling, dedicated to those who wish to be guided by a story in which music becomes a universal language of emotions.

*Andreina Di Girolamo,*
*Pianist trained at the school of Salvatore Orlando and a former harpsichord teacher at the conservatories of Benevento and Campobasso, is an appreciated concert artist and researcher. Described as "Cultural agitator with infinite energy," she passionately dedicates herself to promoting music through projects aimed at organizations, institutions, and cultural associations. From 2016 to 2019, she served as Artistic Director of the “Friends of Music” Walter De Angelis Association in Campobasso. In 2019, the "Promotion Woman" Association awarded her the “Woman of the Year” prize for the culture sector. She has written about the life and works of composers Corradino D’Agnillo and Franco Paolantonio, and edited their critical manuscript editions. In duo with Silvia Rambaldi, with whom she focuses on the repertoire for four-hand harpsichord and two harpsichords, she has produced numerous concert spectacles and recorded four-hand sonatas by W. A. Mozart (Baryton 2005) and two harpsichord sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti (Tactus 2025), which received the highest recognition of 5 stars from the magazine "Suonare"; these sonatas, entirely reworked for two instruments, have been published in print (Ets editions). With Rosanna Carnevale, she recorded the CD Cortége (Baryton 2025), dedicated to the four-hand repertoire of Claude Debussy, Gabriel Fauré, and Maurice Ravel. With the same repertoire, they perform in the piece *The Other Elena,* alongside actress *Daniela Poggi*, receiving acclaim from both audiences and critics.*
*She made her writing debut in 2018 with the novel Melodia op.1 (Albatros), dedicated to composer Franco Paolantonio, followed in 2022 by "A Bubble of Perfect Time" (Il Bene comune editions), dedicated to painter and pianist *Elena Ciamarra*, and in 2024, "That September Friday of the Faded and Tired Sun" (i Edizione Dieci Lune, ii edition Scripta manent). Through Ephemeria, she will publish the volume “The Five Angles. Aníbal Troilo, Stories of Tango” in June 2026.*

**Aníbal “Pichuco” Troilo** is undoubtedly one of the most emblematic and influential figures in the history of Argentine tango. **Born in Buenos Aires on July 11, 1914, in the lively Abasto neighborhood,** Troilo was able to combine talent, passion, and innovation to become an immortal symbol of this musical genre. His nickname, **“Pichuco,”** which was bestowed upon him as a child, has become synonymous with his unique style and charismatic personality, recognized and loved worldwide.
A particularly fascinating aspect of Troilo’s life concerns his family roots, which connect him deeply to Southern Italy. **His paternal grandparents came from Archi, a small town in Abruzzo, while his maternal grandparents were from Agnone, in Molise.** These ties to Southern Italy not only enrich his cultural identity but also represent a bridge between two worlds, the Argentine and the Italian, united by the history of emigration and a passion for music.
This dual Italian origin is a source of pride in both Argentina and Italy, where Troilo is celebrated with events such as the **Pichuco Festival in Archi,** which pays homage to his figure and his roots. His music and cultural legacy continue to live on, influencing not only Tango but also international folk music.
His musical career has been extraordinary in many respects. As a bandoneonist, Troilo was a virtuoso, capable of conveying deep emotions and nuances of great technical refinement with his instrument.
In 1937, he founded his orchestra, which quickly established itself as one of the most important and innovative in the Tango scene. His ability to combine tradition with new musical ideas elevated Tango to a higher artistic level, making his music a reference point for generations of musicians and enthusiasts.
Troilo was not just an interpreter but also a prolific composer. Among his most famous pieces are **“Sur,” “Garua,” “Responso,” “Barrio de Tango,” “Maria,” “Toda mi vida,” “Discepolin,” “Pa’ que balien los muchachos,” “La ultima curda.”** These pieces have become part of the classic repertoire of Tango and continue to be performed and loved worldwide.
Ultimately, **Aníbal “Pichuco” Troilo** represents much more than a musician: he is a cultural symbol whose life and work tell a story of talent, passion, and deep roots that traverse continents and generations.

*Salvatore Orlando*
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**Detailed Schedule of the “Pichuco Festival” 2026 in Archi (CH)**
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**July 25, 2026**
*17:00 - Largo Fontana Tommaso Melchiorre*
- Event: “Aníbal Troilo Pichuco: between tango, memory, and emigration”
- Under the High Patronage of the Abruzzo Region
- Participants:
- Leonardo Porreca, Pichuco and Friends Association
- Francisco Torné, grandson of Aníbal Troilo
- Simone Marini, artistic director of the festival
- Miguel Ángel Zotto, master and Argentine tango dancer
- Goffredo Palmerini, journalist and writer
- Moderated by Barbara Del Fallo
- Following, a mini concert by the orchestra Lo Que Vendrá with participation from Miguel Ángel Zotto and Daiana Guspero.
*20:30 - Largo Fontana Tommaso Melchiorre*
- Art performance: “The Breath That Remains / El respiro que queda” curated by Carla Cerbaso.
*21:00 - Piazza G. Marconi*
- Event: Folk in motion.
*22:00 - Terrazza San Nicola*
- Gala milonga with live music (reservation required)
- Opening with a ronda of the masters:
- Monica Chiavarini and Gianluca Viola
- Luisa Volpi and Andrea Fischetti
- Daniela Scalabrini and Fabian Braña
- Martina Cerasoli and Anastas Bullaci
- Orchestra: Lo Que Vendrá
- Singer: Federico Pierro
- TDJ: Lisa Costa
*23:30 - Terrazza San Nicola*
- Show by Miguel Ángel Zotto and Daiana Guspero.
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**July 26, 2026**
*10:30 - Departure from Piazza G. Marconi*
- Visit to the village and its historic palaces.
*13:00 - Largo Fontana Tommaso Melchiorre*
- Lunch by reservation: “Abruzzo and Argentina: a meeting of flavors.”
*17:00 - Largo Fontana Tommaso Melchiorre*
- Presentation of the book “The Five Angles” by Andreina Di Girolamo.
- Conversation with the author Anna Scafati.
*17:30 - Largo Fontana Tommaso Melchiorre*
- Event: “Tango: the art that conquered the world” with Miguel Ángel Zotto.
*18:00 - Largo Fontana Tommaso Melchiorre*
- Milonga de despedida with TDJ Ani (free entrance).
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**Artistic Direction**
- Simone Marini
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**Activities during the two days**
- Artistic exhibitions
- Photo exhibition “Toda una vida. The music, affections, and passions of Aníbal Troilo”
- Food stands
Web: www.pichucofestival.com