Events
Music festivals
Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
May and June
Teatro Comunale
Via Solferino 15 - 50123 Firenze
Ticket Office: Corso Italia 6 - Firenze
Tel. 039 55 27791
PreSales and Bookings:
Tel. 39 055 211158 or 213535
Fax 39 055 2779410
www.maggiofiorentino.com
e-mail: tickets@maggiofiorentino.com
Macerata Season at the Outdoor Arena Sferisterio of
Macerata - Opera Ballet
August
Piazza Mazzini 10 - 62100 Macerata
Tel 39 0733 230735 or 233508
Fax 39 0733 261499
www.sferisterio.com
Martina-Franca (Taranto) Festival of the Itria Valley
July - August
Centro Artistico Musicale P. Grassi
Palazzo Ducale
74015 Martina Franca (Taranto)
Tel. 39 080 705100
Fax 39 080 705120
www.festivaldellavalleditria.it
Orta S.Giulio (Novara) Cusius Festival of Early Music
(Lago d'Orta - Novara) June
Associazione Cusiana di Musica Antica
Bookings c/o Office of "Amici della Musica" Novara
Tel. and Fax 39 0321 626344
Pesaro Rossini Opera Festival
August
Info: Via Rossini 24 - 61100 Pesaro
Tel. 39 0721 3800294
Fax 39 0721 3800220
www.rossinioperafestival.it
e-mail: boxoffice@rossinioperafestival.it
Ravello (Salerno) Ravello Classical Music Festival
June - September
Società dei Concerti di Ravello,
Via Trinità 3 - 84010 Ravello (SA)
Tel. 39 089 858149 or 858335
Fax 39 089 858249
www.rcs.amalficoast.it
e-mail: info@rcs.amalficoast.it
Ravenna Ravenna Festival
June - July
Ravenna Festival Foundation
Via Dante Alighieri, 1 - 48100 Ravenna
Tel. 0544 249211
Fax 0544 36303
www.ravennafestival.org
e-mail: info@ravennafestival.org
Siena MUSICAL WEEKS
August
Accademia Musicale Chigiana
Via di Città 89 - 53100 Siena
Tel. 39 0577 46152
Fax 39 0577 288124
Spoleto Spoleto Festival
June - July
Associazione Festival dei Due Mondi
Piazza Duomo 8 - 06049 Spoleto
Tel. 39 0743 220320 or 45028 or 40619
Fax 39 0743 220321
www.spoletofestival.it
e-mail: info@spoletofestival.it
Stresa Stresa Musical Weeks
August-September
Settimane Musicali
Via Carducci, 38
28838 Stresa (VB)
Tel. 39 0323 31095 / 30459
Fax 39 0323 33006
www.settimanemusicali.net
e-mail: info@settimanemusicali.net
Torre del Lago Puccini Festival Pucciniano
August
Fondazione Festival Pucciniano
Piazzale Belvedere Puccini, 4
55048 Torre del Lago Puccini (LU)
phone 39 0584 350567
fax 39 0584 341657
www.puccinifestival.it
e-mail: ticketoffice@puccinifestival.it
Umbria Umbria Jazz
July
"Associazione Umbria Jazz"
Piazza Danti, 28 - 06122 Perugia
tel. 39 075 5732432
fax 39 075 5722656
www.umbriajazz.com
e-mail: info@umbriajazz.com
Verona Arena di Verona
June to end of August
Piazza Bra 28 - 37121 Verona
Information
Tel. 39 045 8051811
Fax 39 045 8011566
Box Office: Via Dietro Anfiteatro 6/13
Tel. 39 045 8005151
Fax 39 045 8013287
www.arena.it
Viterbo Baroque Music Festival
August
Palazzo Santoro - Piazza Verdi 4/A 01100 Viterbo
Tel. 39 0761 313343 or 313345
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
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
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
Opera
Italy, Opera's ancestral home, offers visitors a rich choice of operatic seasons throughout most of the year. The Teatro alla Scala of Milano, the Teatro San Carlo of Napoli and the Teatro dell'Opera of Roma are world-renowned for technical perfection of performances and detailed magnificence of scenery and costumes. The opera season lasts from December to june, as do the seasons at Italy's other major opera houses:
Teatro la Fenice (Venezia), Teatro Massimo (Palermo), Teatro Regio (Parma), Teatro Comunale (Firenze), Teatro Petruzzelli (Bari), Teatro Massimo Bellini (Catania), Teatro Comunale (Bologna), Teatro Comunale Verdi (Trieste), Teatro Comunale (Genova) and Teatro Regio (Torino).
In summer, spectacular open-air opera is presented at the Terme di Caracalla in Roma (July/August), the Arena in Verona (July/August) and the Arena Sferisterio in Macerata (July). During July and August the Teatro Rossetti of Trieste presents an Operetta Festival. Two of the most important Italian festivals of the performing arts are the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (opera, concerts, ballet, drama) in Firenze (May to June) and the Festival of Two Worlds (opera, concerts, ballet, drama, art exhibits) in Spoleto from mid-June to mid-July.
Bologna TEATRO COMUNALE
Largo Respighi 1 - 40126 Bologna
Tel. 39 051 529011 or 529999
Fax 39 051 529934
www.comunalebologna.it
Catania TEATRO MASSIMO BELLINI
Via Perrotta 12 - 95131 Catania
Tel. 39 095 7150200
Fax 39 095 321830
Ticket Office: 39 095 7150921
www.teatromassimobellini.it
Firenze TEATRO COMUNALE
Corso Italia 16 - 50123 Firenze
Tel. 39 055 211158 or 213535
Fax 39 055 2779410
www.maggiofiorentino.com
Genova TEATRO CARLO FELICE
Galleria Cardinale Siri 6 - 16121 Genova
Tel. 39 010 589329 or 591697
(no phone bookings)
Fax 39 010 5381335
General Information - 39 010 5381305
Fax 39 010 5381233
www.carlofelice.it
Macerata SFERISTERIO DI MACERATA
Biglietteria dei Teatri / Box Office
Casella Postale 92 - 62100 Macerata - Italia
Opening hours 10:30 - 13:00 / 17:00 - 20:00
(From June lst 9:30 - 13:00 / 16:00 - 20:00)
Tel. 39 0733 230735 - 233508
Fax 39 0733 261499
www.macerata.com/Manifestazioni/sferisterio
Milano TEATRO ALLA SCALA
Via Filodrammatici 2 - 20121 Milano
Tel. 39 02 860787 (24-hour ticket booking service)
Tel. 39 02 72003744 (Information office for ticket availability)
Fax 39 02 861778 (to confirm your booking)
www.teatroallascala.org
Napoli TEATRO SAN CARLO
Via San Carlo 98F - 80132 Napoli
Tel. 39 081 7972331 or 7972412 or 7972111
Fax 39 081 7972306
Ticket Office open every day
10:00AM -1:00 PM and 4:30 to 6:30 PM (except Mondays)
www.teatrosancarlo.it
Palermo TEATRO MASSIMO
Via R. Wagner 2 - 90139 Palermo
Tel. 39 091 6053315
Fax 39 091 6053324
Information on ticket availability
39 091 6053249 by phone
39 091 6053325 by fax
www.teatromassimo.it
e-mail: infotm@teatromassimo.it
Parma TEATRO REGIO
Via Garibaldi 16A - 43100 Parma
Tel. 39 0521 218910 or 218685
Fax 39 0521 206156
www.comune.parma.it
e-mail: tregio@provincia.parma.it
Roma TEATRO DELL'OPERA
Piazza B. Gigli 8 - 00184 Roma
Tel. 39 06 481601
Fax 39 06 4881755 or 4881253
www.opera.roma.it
Torino TEATRO REGIO
Piazza Castello 215 - 10124 Torino
Tel. 39 011 8815241 or 8815242
Fax 39 011 8815214
www.teatroregio.torino.it
Trieste TEATRO COMUNALE "GIUSEPPE VERDI"
Piazza Verdi 1 - 34121 Trieste
Tel. 39 040 6722111
Fax 39 040 6722249
www.teatroverdi-trieste.com
e-mail: info@teatroverdi-trieste.com
Venezia TEATRO LA FENICE
San Marco 1965 - 30124 Venezia
39 041 786580 (booking by phone)
39 06 32658010 (electronic service)
Fax: 39 041 786580 (booking by fax)
www.teatrolafenice.it
If you are in Italy, call 147 882211
Verona ARENA DI VERONA
Piazza Bra 28 - Verona
Tel. 39 045 80 51 811
Fax 39 045 80 11 566
Traditional events
Traditional festivals are celebrated in most Italian towns and villages in commemoration of local historical or religious events. The most notable are listed here. The dates of many traditional festivals may vary from year to year.
CALENDAR OF TRADITIONAL EVENTS IN ITALY
Agrigento ALMOND BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
First half of February
Folk festival of song, dance, costumes, fireworks
Arezzo GIOSTRA del SARACINO (Joust of the Saracen)
First Sunday in September
Tilting contest of the 13th century with knights in armor
Assisi CALENDIMAGGIO (Celebration of Holy Week)
Easter Week
Celebration of spring according to rites dating back to medieval times
Ascoli-Piceno TORNEO della QUINTANA (Joust of the Quintana)
First Sunday in August
Historical pageant with people in 15th century costumes
Asti PALIO - San Secondo
May 2
A 700 year old ceremony with procession in 13th century costume. Flag Throwing Palio.
Third Sunday in September
Ancient festival with 800 costumes participants
Bari SAGRA di San NICOLA
May 7
Historic procession in costume.
Cagliari SAGRA di Sant' EFISIO
May 1 to 4
One of the biggest and most colorful processions in the world. Several thousand pilgrims (wearing costumes dating back to 1657) accompany the statue of the saint on foot, carts and horses
Firenze SCOPPIO DEL CARRO (Explosion of the Cart)
Easter Sunday
A pyramid of fireworks in the Cathedral Square is set off by a mechanical dove driven from the Altar during High Mass.
CALCIO FIORENTINO (Soccer Match)
June 24 to 28
Revival of a 16th century football match in medieval costumes.
June 24th
Fireworks display from the terraced gardens overlooking the city
Foligno GIOSTRA della QUINTANA (Joust of the Quintana)
Second Sunday in September
Revival of a 17th century joust with 600 knights in costume, historical procession
Genova PALIO MARINARO dei RIONI
June 29th
Rowing race in ancient dress
Genzano INFIORATA (Flower festival)
Corpus Domini
A religious procession along the streets carpeted with flowers in magnificent designs.
Gubbio FESTA dei CERI (Race of the Candles)
May 15
A procession in local costume in witch tall shrines are carried to the church on the top of Mount Ingino.
PALIO dei BALESTRIERI (The Palio of the Archers)
Last Sunday in May
Medieval crossbow contest between Gubbio and Sansepolcro with medieval costumes and arms.
La Spezia PALIO del GOLFO
First Sunday of August
Rowing contest
Marostica (Vicenza) PARTITA a SCACCHI con PERSONAGGI VIVENTI
(Living Chess Game)
Second weekend of September in even-numbered years
Chess game is played in the town square by living pawns in period costume.
Napoli FESTIVAL of San GENNARO
September 19
A religious ceremony honoring the patron saint of the city
Nola FESTA del GIGLIO (The Lily Festival)
Sunday following June 22nd
Allegorical towers are carried in a colorful procession costume
Nuoro SAGRA del REDENTORE (Feast of the Redeemer)
August 27 to 30
Colorful procession in Sardinian costumes
Oristano SA SARTIGLIA
February 24 to 26
Medieval procession and jousting of masking knights
Palermo FEAST of Santa ROSALIA
July 10 to 15
Procession, bands, fireworks in honor of the patron saint of the city
Piana degli Albanesi CELEBRATION of the EPIPHANY from the BYZANTINE RITE
January 6
Pisa GIOCO del PONTE (Battle of the Bridge)
First Sunday in June
Medieval parade and contest
REGATTA of the GREAT MARITIME REPUBLICS
The friendly contest and historic regatta in which each of the former maritime republics (Amalfi, Genoa, Pisa and Venice) race for a price
Roma EPIPHANY FAIR at PIAZZA NAVONA
January 5th
A fair of toys, sweets and others presents takes place in the open air among the beautiful Bernini fountains
FESTA DE' NOANTRI
July 19th to 26th
Folklore of Old Rome in Trastevere, including colorful procession for the Vergine del Carmine, folk dances and songs, carnival floats and fireworks
Sansepolcro PALIO dei BALESTRIERI (The Palio of the Archers)
Last Sunday in May
Medieval crossbow contest between Gubbio and Sansepolcro with medieval costumes and arms.
Sassari CAVALCATA SARDA (Sardinian Cavalcade)
Next to last Sunday in May
Traditional procession of more than 3,000 people in Sardinian costumes
Siena PALIO - in Siena
July 2nd and August 16th
Procession and horse race. Participants are members of ancient city districts, competing for the banner (Palio). Colorful medieval pageantry.
Taranto PROCESSION of the MYSTERIES
Good Friday
Renowned for its costumes and solemnity
Venezia CARNIVAL in VENICE
February/March
Celebrations in costumes and masks, entertainment in streets and squares. Music, mimes and fireworks.
IL REDENTORE (The Feast of the Redeemer)
Third Sunday in July
Procession of gondolas commemorating the end of the epidemic of 1575
HISTORICAL REGATTA
First Sunday in September
Traditional competition between two-oar racing gondolas and procession of ceremonial boats.
Viareggio CARNEVALE (Carnival)
February/March
Highlight of the Carnival festivities is the procession of spectacular and colorful floats
