Auditorium Horszowski

In Monforte d'Alba, the historic square of the old borgo is shaped like a small natural amphitheatre. Since 1986 it has carried the name of pianist Mieczysław Horszowski, who performed at its inauguration.

Why it matters

Monforte d'Alba's piazza has a distinctive acoustic form. The municipality describes the historic core as a "piccolo anfiteatro dall'acustica perfetta" — a small amphitheatre with perfect acoustics — and part of the piazza is formally used as an auditorium. The dedication honours Mieczysław (Miecio) Horszowski, the Polish-American pianist who performed at the opening concert in the summer of 1986. The auditorium gives the borgo a musical identity alongside its vineyards.

What to notice

The square rises in stepped curves below a retaining wall and the portal of the Scarampi gardens, forming an amphitheatre-shaped space with a stage against the old houses. The borgo's bell tower, formerly part of the demolished parish church of Santa Maria, stands above it. The municipality cites the piazza's acoustics in describing its use as an auditorium. Outside performances, it remains the village square at the heart of the fan-shaped borgo.

Context and history

Monforte d'Alba grew between the 13th and 15th centuries in a radial, fan-shaped plan following the contours of its spur — a layout that left the settlement curving around a natural hollow, ideally suited to open-air performance. The auditorium was created from this piazza rather than built as a hall, and it was inaugurated in the summer of 1986 with a concert by Horszowski himself, whose name it permanently bears. The square has hosted Italian and international artists including Paolo Conte, Massimo Ranieri and Vinicio Capossela. It has also been the setting for Monfortinjazz, promoted by the MonforteArte association.