Major Music Festivals
March
| Ravello Classical Music Festival |
Ravello (Salerno) |
One of the oldest Italian festivals, this conceptualized the idea of the "cultural
event" and gave Ravello its reputation as a "Città della musica."
www.rcs.amalficoast.it |
|
| San Remo Festival |
San Remo (Imperia) |
The world-famous celebration of the Italian Popular Song takes place on the Italian
Riviera at the Teatro Ariston, attracting guests and renowned artists from all over the world.
www.sanremostory.it |
|
May
| Maggio Musicale Fiorentino |
Florence |
The city's biggest arts festival was founded in 1933 and is hosted at the Teatro Comunale,
featuring an international program of drama, dance, opera and orchestras.
www.maggiofiorentino.com |
|
June
| Arena Summer Festival |
Verona |
Each year over 500,000 people flock to see opera in this 20,000-seat Roman arena,
the world's third largest amphitheater, and among the most well-preserved
www.arena.it |
|
| Festival Internazionale Dell'Operetta |
Trieste |
Held at Trieste's Teatro Comunale "Giuseppe Verdi," this festival of Light
Opera features world-renowned performers.
www.teatroverdi-trieste.com |
|
| New Opera Festival of Rome |
Rome |
Featuring performances of all classical genres from concerts to operas in the magnificent
Courtyard of the Basilica of San Clemente.
www.newoperafestivaldiroma.com |
|
| Ravenna Festival |
Ravenna |
This multifaceted music event - also including opera, concerts, dance, jazz, ethnic
music, drama, film, conventions and exhibitions - finds expression in the town's theaters, piazzas, basilicas,
and other public spaces.
www.ravennafestival.org |
|
| Spoleto Festival of Two Worlds |
Spoleto |
A unique celebration, conceived to embrace all aspects of the performing and figurative
-visual arts, including opera, concerts, jazz and dance.
www.spoletofestival.it |
|
| Sunsplash Reggae Festival |
Osoppo (Udine) |
Osoppo in Udine hosts Europe's most important reggae festival, drawing campers and
visitors from all over Europe to the natural amphitheaters in Alpe-Adria's hilly countryside.
www.rototomsunsplash.com |
|
July
| Arezzo Wave Festival |
Arezzo |
In the heart of Tuscany, the "Woodstock of Italy" is the nation's oldest
rock concert, featuring many different stages for music, literature, sports and more.
www.arezzowave.com |
|
| Estate Musicale Chigiana |
Siena |
Siena's Santa Maria della Scala and the church of Sant'Agostino are just two of the
beautiful venues providing the stages for the Accademia Musicale Chigiana.
www.chigiana.it |
|
| Festival Pucciniano |
Torre del Lago Puccini (Lucca) |
This Puccini Festival in Pisa began in 1930 according to Puccini's own documented
wishes: "…once I would like to come here and listen to one of my operas in the open air.."
www.puccinifestival.it |
|
| Festival della Valle d'Itria |
Martina-Franca (Taranto) |
An annual opera and classical music festival held in the town of Martina Franca in
Puglia, specializing in reviving unknown works, with supporting talks, recitals and oratorios.
www.festivaldellavalleditria.it |
|
| Macerata Opera Festival |
Macerata |
One of the world's most famous opera seasons, held in the Sferisterio, an old ball
game court.
www.macerataopera.org |
|
| Pistoia Blues |
Pistoia |
Since this festival started in the early 1980's, legends from Muddy Waters to Dylan,
Patti Smith to Santana have graced its stage.
www.pistoiablues.com |
|
| Summer Opera Season at Caracalla |
Rome |
Rome's opera house relocates to the magnificent Baths of Caracalla for outdoor opera
and ballet performances among the ruins.
www.operaroma.it |
|
| Umbria Jazz Festival |
Umbria |
This renowned event brings hundreds of artists to the "green heart" of Italy,
and offers street parades and midnight clubs celebrating excellent jazz, opo and salsa.
www.umbriajazz.com |
|
| Porretta Soul Festival |
Porretta |
Top jazz, soul and R&B musicians gather at this festival located in the spa town
of Porretta, in Emilia Romagna.
www.porrettasoul.it |
|
| Pescara Jazz Festival |
Pescara |
Since 1969 the city hosted this sophisticated international jazz happening.
www.pescarajazz.com |
|
August
| Rossini Opera Festival |
Pesaro |
Inspired by fresh editions of Rossini's works, this festival of operas and concerts
is beautifully set in Pesaro, on the Adriatic coast.
www.rossinioperafestival.it |
|
| Roccella Jonica Jazz Festival |
Roccella Jonica |
This major event, held in Roccella Jonica (Reggio, Calabria), is known for its cutting-edge
crossover artistic performances, and experimental theater shows, all in an acoustically splendid arena within the
natural rock landscape.
www.roccellajazz.net |
|
| Stresa Musical Weeks |
Stresa |
Magical music on picturesque Lake Maggiore, where the "Settimane Musicali"
presents the world's leading performers, major symphony orchestras and chamber musicians.
www.settimanemusicali.net |
|
September
| Roma Europa Festival |
Rome |
This exciting event brings together music, dance, theater and visual arts with performances
by over 300 artists from 20 countries in various locations throughout the city.
www.romaeuropa.net |
|
Other Musical Events
| Aosta |
Organ Music Festival - from mid-July to mid-August |
| Barga (Lucca) |
Opera Barga - from mid-July to mid-August |
| Bolzano |
International Piano Competition Ferruccio Busoni August |
| Brescia |
Piano Festival - May and June |
| Catania |
Music and drama performances at the Greek-Roman Theatre - from June to September |
| Cervo (Imperia) |
Chamber Music Festival - July and August |
| Gardone Riviera |
Drama and concerts in the open-air theater of the
Vittoriale degli Italiani - July and August |
| Lucca |
Sacred Music Festival in the most important churches
April to June |
| Marlia (Lucca) |
Marlia Festival. Features rare exotic works
from mid-July to mid-August |
| Monreale & Palermo |
Sacred Music Festival - October and November |
| Orta S.Giulio (Novara) |
Cusius Festival of Early Music - June |
| Pavia |
- Concerts in the Certosa - July to September
- Drama performances in the open air - July to August |
| Roma |
- Concerts in the Basilica of Massenzio - July
to August
- Winter season concerts of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
- Winter season concerts of the Accademia Filarmonica Romana |
| Sutri |
Baroque Music Festival - August |
| Taormina (Messina) |
Music and drama festival - July and August |
| Trieste |
Operetta festival - July and August |
| Urbino |
Drama and art exhibitions; concerts in the Renaissance Theatre - August |
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