TURIN — A new study tracing the history of the saxophone in Italy will be presented at the Salone del Libro in Turin on Saturday, 16 May 2026, bringing together music history, instrument craftsmanship and live performance in a single public event.
The presentation of *The Saxophone in Italy. Ingenuity, Production and Cultural Imaginary* by Attilio Berni is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. at the Lingotto complex, inside Padiglione Oval at Spazio Lazio X102. The volume has been published by the Museum of the Saxophone of Fiumicino.
Rather than focusing narrowly on performance practice, the book examines the instrument through several connected lenses, including manufacturing traditions, technical development and the broader cultural associations attached to the saxophone in Italy between the 19th and 20th centuries.
The bilingual edition, published in both Italian and English, runs to 288 pages and is supported by a substantial collection of photographs and archival documents. According to the event information, the research also highlights the role played by Italian workshops and factories in shaping the instrument’s production history.
Berni’s work approaches the saxophone not only as a musical tool but also as an industrial and cultural object. The study looks at how the instrument moved through different stages of Italian musical life while reflecting changing ideas around craftsmanship, innovation and popular imagination.
The launch event will include live musical performances connected directly to the themes of the book. Berni is expected to perform alongside guitarist Fabrizio Spadea, using historical saxophones produced by the Rampone & Cazzani workshop.
The musical segments are intended as part demonstration and part historical interpretation, linking the written research to the sound and construction of the instruments discussed in the publication. Organizers describe the format as combining narration, listening and educational presentation.
The event takes place within the wider program of the Salone del Libro, one of Italy’s major publishing gatherings, where cultural institutions and independent publishers regularly present new research and specialist works to the public.
Attendance at the presentation requires admission to the Salone del Libro. Organizers have advised visitors to consult the fair’s official channels for ticketing information and any schedule updates ahead of the event.
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For researchers, musicians and readers interested in the intersection of music history and Italian manufacturing culture, the Turin presentation offers a rare public discussion centered on the saxophone’s place beyond the concert stage.
