Armonie d'Arte Festival | Mario Biondi

Parco Archeologico di Scolacium · Borgia, Costa Viola, Calabria

18 August 2026

Concluded event

Mario Biondi is coming to Calabria with his “This Is What You Are – 20th Anniversary” tour, a project celebrating one of the most iconic songs of his career. The event, which forms part of the Armonie d'Arte Festival, is scheduled for 18 August 2026 at the Scolacium Archaeological Park in Borgia, a place of great historical and scenic charm which, for the occasion, will serve as the setting for a major musical event. Released in 2006, “This Is What You Are” marked the artist’s recording debut, winning over audiences with an international soul sound and a warm, deep voice, often associated with the great African-American traditions.

Event details

Mario Biondi comes to Calabria with the tour “This Is What You Are – 20th Anniversary”, celebrating one of the most iconic songs of his career. The date is 18 August 2026, with the show expected to begin at 9:30 pm, at the Scolacium Archaeological Park in the Roccelletta district of Borgia (CZ), a place of great historical and scenic charm that becomes the setting for a major musical event. Released in 2006, “This Is What You Are” marked the artist's recording debut, winning audiences over with an international soul sound and a warm, deep voice often linked to the great African-American traditions. Twenty years on, the concert revisits that success alongside the most beloved tracks of Mario Biondi's repertoire, in a dialogue between past and present.

The artist and the anniversary tour

A singer and musician from Catania, Mario Biondi is one of the most recognisable Italian voices on the international soul and jazz scene. His deep, warm timbre made him a reference point from his 2006 debut, when “This Is What You Are” brought him to wide attention. The “20th Anniversary” tour was created to mark that milestone: a set list weaving together the historic hits and the refined atmospheres, poised between elegance and groove, that have shaped his career. The Borgia concert is part of the XXVI edition of the Armonie d'Arte Festival, a long-standing Calabrian series in dialogue with places of myth and archaeology.

Scolacium and the Archaeological Park

The Scolacium Archaeological Park, in the Roccelletta district of Borgia, is one of the most significant historical sites on the Ionian coast of Calabria: here the remains of the ancient Roman colony, the Norman basilica of Santa Maria della Roccella and a centuries-old olive grove coexist in a unique setting. Staging concerts among the ruins and greenery creates an experience in which live music blends with the memory of the land. Visitors to the area will find many more summer dates in the events in Calabria calendar.

Practical information

The concert takes place on the evening of 18 August 2026, with the show scheduled to start at 9:30 pm. Admission is ticketed, with tickets available through the usual advance-sale channels. Borgia is reached from the Catanzaro stretch of the Ionian coast and lies near Catanzaro Lido and the Copanello and Soverato area, where much of the Armonie d'Arte summer programme takes place. Arriving at the Park early is recommended, to enjoy the archaeological setting before the show begins.

Frequently asked questions

When does the Mario Biondi concert in Borgia take place?

The concert is scheduled for Tuesday 18 August 2026, with the show expected to begin at 9:30 pm.

Where is the event held?

At the Scolacium Archaeological Park, in the Roccelletta district of Borgia, in the province of Catanzaro.

Which festival is the concert part of?

It is part of the XXVI edition of the Armonie d'Arte Festival, which in 2026 runs across Scolacium, Soverato, Copanello, Serra San Bruno and Cosenza.

What kind of show is it?

A soul and jazz concert: Mario Biondi presents the tour “This Is What You Are – 20th Anniversary”, celebrating twenty years since his debut album.

Who is performing?

Mario Biondi, a singer and musician from Catania and one of the best-known Italian soul voices internationally.

Is admission free or ticketed?

Admission is ticketed, with tickets available through the usual advance-sale channels.

Which province is Borgia in?

Borgia is in the province of Catanzaro, on Calabria's Ionian coast, near Catanzaro Lido.

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