The Settimane Musicali (Musical Weeks) of Stresa and Lake Maggiore is one of the prime events in the Lake Maggiore area.

Started in 1961 by the aristocratic Venetian lawyer Italo Trentinaglia de Daverio, the event has become a landmark in international classical music festivals.

During the Festival internationally famous artists and ensembles perform in churches and historic buildings all over the province. Among these are the enchanting Palazzo Borromeo on Isola Bella, the highly atmospheric Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso, the Castello Visconti of San Vito in Massino Visconti, and the historic Rocca Borromeo of Angera.

The programme of the Settimane Musicali is spread out over the season. It starts with the Easter Concert, continues with the Spring Concerts, after which the main events begin with the Musical Meditations. Concerts include a range of music from symphonies and chamber music to instrumental and vocal recitals.

Each series of concerts finds inspiration in a theme such as cinema or the blues. Classic composers like Bach, Haydn, Bizet and Puccini are given their rightful place, but there is also room for modern composers such as Morricone, Gershwin and Piazzolla.

Since 1999 the Festival has extended its programme to include 30 concerts a season, and has collaborated with other cultural bodies to encourage the enjoyment of classical music through other art forms.