Antoni O’Breskey

A Special Gift for Our Audience: Antonio Breschi Revealed as This Year’s Surprise Guest

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At this year’s Italian Fusion Festival, we promised our audience a Special Guest Surprise—an artist whose music transcends borders, whose spirit bridges cultures, and whose presence would capture the very heart of what our festival celebrates.

Now that the curtain has closed on another memorable evening, we are delighted to reveal the identity of our mystery guest:

Antonio Breschi — The Nomadic Soul of the Piano

Internationally acclaimed composer, pianist, and multi-instrumentalist Antonio Breschi graced our stage as an unexpected gift to everyone present. His appearance illuminated the closing moments of the festival, leaving the venue filled with joy, warmth, and profound gratitude.

An Artist Without Borders

Breschi is a musical storyteller whose work defies categorisation. His compositions flow seamlessly across jazz, folk, classical, Celtic, blues, and world music, weaving diverse traditions together with rare poetic sensitivity. Born in Italy and spiritually rooted in Ireland, his life and music form a living bridge between the Mediterranean and Celtic worlds—a continuous dialogue of rhythms, histories, and emotions.

For decades, Antonio has travelled the globe with his acclaimed Nomadic Piano Project, drawing inspiration from cultural encounters and transforming them into a sound distinctly his own. From his deep explorations of Irish sean-nós singing to his collaborations with artists across continents and his innovative fusion of piano and percussion, Breschi has created an artistic voice that celebrates openness, cooperation, and the profound beauty of cultural exchange.

A Magical Collaboration on Stage

During his performance, Antonio was joined by Phil, an accomplished Irish bodhrán player, creating a spontaneous and mesmerizing fusion of piano and traditional Irish percussion. The interplay between Breschi’s nomadic piano style and the ancient rhythms of the bodhrán perfectly embodied the spirit of cultural dialogue that defines our festival—a true meeting of Mediterranean and Celtic souls.

A Perfect Embodiment of Our Festival’s Spirit

Antonio Breschi’s surprise return to our stage was far more than a performance—it was a powerful symbol of everything the Italian Fusion Festival represents. His presence illuminated our core values of cooperation, dialogue, interaction, and cultural exchange. Through his artistry, Antonio reminds us that music is a universal language, capable of connecting people across time, geography, and tradition—building bridges through shared creativity and celebrating our shared humanity.

A Cherished Return — With Anticipation for the Future

This is not Antonio Breschi’s first appearance at our festival, and we fervently hope it will not be his last. His music has become an integral part of our festival’s history, and this year’s surprise performance was a gift that both we and our audience will long remember.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Antonio for sharing his extraordinary artistry with us once again, to Phil for adding the heartbeat of Irish tradition to the evening, and to all of you who joined us in celebrating another unforgettable edition of the Italian Fusion Festival.

Stay tuned… because fusion is a journey, and the best surprises happen along the way.

Meet the artists

Meet the Artists of Italian Fusion Festival 2025

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Meet the Artists of Italian Fusion Festival 2025!

A taste of the music, energy, and creativity that make our festival unique.
Get ready for an unforgettable celebration of Italian and Irish culture!

Watch the full clip and feel the vibe — the countdown to #IFF2025 begins!

Short Video Competition

Finalists of the 8th Edition of the Italian Fusion Festival Short Video Competition

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We are excited to unveil the three finalists of the 8th Edition of the Italian Fusion Festival Short Video Competition!
This year we received an outstanding selection of films from talented filmmakers across the world, each bringing their creativity, passion, and unique storytelling vision to the competition. We extend our warmest thanks to all filmmakers who submitted their work—your contribution continues to elevate the artistic spirit of our festival.

For the first time, the competition was not only open to Irish productions featuring at least one Italian cast or crew member, but also to all Italian filmmakers living abroad. This expansion has enriched the competition with new perspectives, voices, and stories from the global Italian creative community.

Today, we proudly congratulate the three finalist films that have been selected for the 2025 edition:

Empty Shells

Director: David Austin
Synopsis:
In a world where teleportation is becoming the norm, two friends must uncover the truth about the soul’s journey—before it’s too late. A thought-provoking blend of science fiction and metaphysical mystery.
About the Filmmaker:
David Austin is a filmmaker currently living in Brighton, UK. He enjoys entering other dimensions.

Coming Back

Director: Alessio Rupalti
Synopsis:
Set during the aftermath of the Brexit vote, Coming Back follows William as he returns home to speak with his father about the results. Their opposing views reopen old, unhealed wounds, revealing how love can hide behind unexpected choices.
About the Filmmaker:
Alessio Rupalti, an award-winning director, founded Cliffs Films in London in 2018 with the mission to create meaningful and original stories through short films. Coming Back premiered at the Rome Film Festival, winning multiple international awards and screening at festivals worldwide.

It’s All About You

Director: Kristina Tomic
Synopsis:
Kristina is struggling, overwhelmed by her pain. Her friend Graciela stands by her quietly, offering support. As people come and go—each bringing kindness in their own way—Kristina slowly begins to feel whole again. In a final moment of reflection, Dorian arrives, leaving the audience to interpret his purpose.
About the Filmmaker:
Kristina Tomic is an Italian actor and director based in Dublin whose work delves into the depth of human connection. She has collaborated with filmmakers across the globe, and her short films have been screened and celebrated in festivals throughout the United States, South America, Europe, and the United Kingdom.

Congratulations to all three finalists!
The winner of this year’s Short Video Competition will be announced during the Italian Fusion Festival on Saturday, 15 November.

We look forward to celebrating Irish-Italian creativity with you at the festival!

sold-out-2025

SOLD OUT – Thank You, Dublin!

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We are overwhelmed with emotion to announce that the Italian Fusion Festival is now completely sold out.

To everyone who secured a ticket, to our incredible volunteers who make this possible, and to our essential partners—the Italian Cultural Institute of Dublin and RTÉ—we extend our deepest gratitude. A heartfelt thank you to all the musicians who have graced our stage, many of whom have returned year after year, bringing their passion and talent to our community. We are immensely grateful to the United Arts Club for welcoming us once again and providing the perfect space for our celebration. Our thanks also go to the filmmakers who participated in the short video competition, enriching the festival with their creative vision, and to those who lovingly prepare and serve the food that nourishes body and soul throughout the evening. These moments represent small spaces where commitment transforms into energy, a vital force that powers a festival like the one we organise at Radio Dublino.

For us, “sold out” is not simply a phrase indicating tickets are gone. It’s a signal that moves us, motivates us, and drives us to create new opportunities for reflection and unity of purpose. At Radio Dublino, we are committed to providing authentic and accessible experiences to as many people as possible.

Everything we do is non-profit and volunteer-run. The Italian Fusion Festival represents the most accurate instrument of union and interaction with our community, not only the Italian community, but the community as a whole of Dublin and Ireland.

This year, we made an extraordinary economic effort to bring to Dublin, for the first time, an innovative and renowned Italian musician whose style is rooted in research and experimentation. The public’s response has been truly moving.

Thank you for believing in what we do. Thank you for being part of this journey.

See you at the festival!

Radio Dublino
Building bridges through culture and music

p.s. On Eventbrite, there is the option “Waiting List”. If a ticket becomes available, we will contact the people on the waiting list with further instructions on how to purchase your ticket.

Simone Zanchini

Simone Zanchini

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We are happy to introduce the innovative jazz part of our lineup. This year, the Italian Fusion Festival presents Simone Zanchini. A masterful journey through sound, improvisation and musical freedom.

Simone Zanchini is one of the most innovative and captivating accordionists on the international music scene. For many years, Zanchini has pursued a unique artistic path that transcends conventional boundaries. His approach transforms the accordion into something unexpected and deeply personal, revealing the instrument’s extraordinary timbral and expressive possibilities far beyond any single genre or style. Whether navigating classical repertoire, contemporary compositions, jazz standards, or venturing into more unconventional sonic territories, Zanchini moves with equal mastery and profound musicality.

A Solo Experience Like No Other

Zanchini’s solo performance embodies the essence of what the Italian Fusion Festival celebrates: the meeting point between tradition and innovation, structure and spontaneity. Each performance is a profoundly creative artistic experience—different every time, unpredictable, and utterly compelling. Over approximately sixty minutes of uninterrupted music, audiences will experience moments of spontaneous improvisation seamlessly woven together with Zanchini’s original compositions and reimagined works by legendary composers including George Gershwin, Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, and Astor Piazzolla.

In his own words, Zanchini explains his artistic philosophy: “I have always believed that certain sonic resonances dwelling in our minds are uniquely our own – magnificently singular, communicable only through the emotions of improvisation, and perceptible only if one is armed with a true openness of spirit. We live in an era that seems to demand recognised and recognisable languages, along with what I call reproducers of styles. This act of freeing oneself from the code is the courageous, and at times risky, attempt of this Solo.”

A Distinguished Career

Graduating with honours in classical accordion from the prestigious “G. Rossini” Conservatoire in Pesaro—among the first in Italy to achieve such recognition—Zanchini has built an impressive international career. He has graced the stages of major festivals and concert series throughout Italy, performing at the world’s most prestigious international jazz festivals.

His collaborative spirit has led to partnerships with an extraordinary array of internationally renowned musicians from diverse traditions, including Thomas Clausen, Gianluigi Trovesi, Paolo Fresu, Han Bennink, Art Van Damme, Frank Marocco, Bill Evans, Adam Nussbaum, Jim Black, and John Patitucci, among many others. Since 1999, he has collaborated regularly with the Soloists of the Orchestra of Teatro alla Scala in Milan, touring worldwide.

An Impressive Discography

Since 1996, Zanchini has released more than twenty albums that showcase his versatility and innovation. Notable recordings include Bebop Buffet (2006) in duo with Frank Marocco, My Accordion’s Concept (2012), Don’t Try This Anywhere (2016) featuring John Patitucci and Adam Nussbaum, NINO (2019) with the prestigious HR Frankfurt Radio Big Band, and Il gatto e la volpe (2020) in duo with Gabriele Mirabassi.

Join Us for an Unforgettable Performance

Simone Zanchini’s performance at the Italian Fusion Festival promises to be an extraordinary journey—one that challenges preconceptions about the accordion while celebrating the universal language of musical creativity. His courageous exploration of sound, his technical brilliance, and his profound artistic vision make him the perfect embodiment of our festival’s spirit.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to witness a true master of improvisation and innovation in action.

For more information about Simone Zanchini, visit: www.simonezanchini.com