On 28 September, Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa will host 20 Years of GnuQuartet – Live with Friends, a unique celebratory concert marking the ensemble's twentieth anniversary. Conceived as a collective musical journey, the event retraces two decades of concerts, recordings, arrangements, artistic experimentation and collaborations that have established GnuQuartet as one of the most original and versatile ensembles on the Italian music scene.

On stage will be Francesca Rapetti (flute), Roberto Izzo (violin), Raffaele Rebaudengo (viola) and Stefano Cabrera (cello): four musicians who have reimagined the language of the string quartet, creating a distinctive musical voice that balances classical elegance, rock energy, singer-songwriter traditions and sonic exploration.

Joining them will be a remarkable lineup of guest artists, friends and long-time collaborators who have shared projects, tours, recordings and memorable performances with the quartet over the years. Alongside the previously announced Francesco De Gregori, Samuele Bersani, Amara and Simone Cristicchi, the concert will also feature Giuliano Sangiorgi, Niccolò Fabi, Ermal Meta, Vittorio Cosma, Mauro Ermanno Giovanardi and L'Aura, completing a cast that reflects GnuQuartet's rich artistic journey and their uniquely open approach to musical collaboration.

Francesco De Gregori invited GnuQuartet to join his De Gregori & Orchestra – Greatest Hits Live project, entrusting the ensemble with a central role in the orchestral reinterpretation of some of his best-loved songs alongside his historic band and the GAGA Orchestra. Their collaboration continued in the recording studio at Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios, where they recorded a new version of Anema e Core.

With Samuele Bersani, GnuQuartet collaborated on the live project Plurale Unico before appearing on his live album La fortuna che abbiamo, contributing to several new interpretations of his songs alongside the singer-songwriter's band.

Their relationship with Simone Cristicchi is long-standing and deeply rooted in theatrical performance, bringing together singer-songwriter traditions, spoken word and chamber music in a collaboration renewed through numerous concerts and live productions. Alongside him, Amara, Cristicchi's long-time artistic collaborator, will bring her distinctive vocal artistry to the evening.

Giuliano Sangiorgi joins the celebration through the quartet's collaborations with Negramaro, with whom they have shared memorable live performances, bringing their distinctive sound to stadium audiences.

Niccolò Fabi has worked with GnuQuartet in collaborations that unite singer-songwriter craftsmanship, musical restraint and sonic exploration. With Ermal Meta, the ensemble shared an important touring season, presenting the artist's repertoire in an intimate and acoustically refined setting.

The presence of Vittorio Cosma highlights GnuQuartet's longstanding affinity for cross-disciplinary and special projects. Together they participated in a Beatles tribute with Ennio Morricone's Orchestra during the Concerto del Primo Maggio, and collaborated on performances connected with major Olympic ceremonies, bringing their musical language to internationally significant events.

With Mauro Ermanno Giovanardi, the voice of La Crus, the dialogue unfolds through the expressive world of Italian songwriting, where poetic lyrics, interpretation and instrumental textures merge naturally.

Finally, L'Aura has been part of GnuQuartet's artistic journey since the early 2000s, collaborating on recordings, reinterpretations and live projects that have showcased the most intimate and visionary aspects of her music.

Alongside these special collaborations, GnuQuartet will perform some of the defining works from their first twenty years while also unveiling new material that looks ahead to future artistic directions. The result promises to be a one-of-a-kind musical celebration built around the encounter of genres, generations, artistic languages and creative sensibilities—a fitting tribute to an ensemble that has transformed chamber music into a living laboratory of freedom, elegance and imagination.

"Twenty years of music are, above all, twenty years of encounters. Celebrating this milestone together with extraordinary artists and friends makes this evening even more special." — GnuQuartet