Italy is not just for the culturati and gastronomically-inclined among us. There is no shortage of activities – especially for lovers of good, live music – for visitors considering a trip to the boot of Europe during the summer. From the cheap and unpretentious hiking available in the less-visited southern regions of Sicily or Salerno to the spacious rafters of La Scala that the likes of Pavarotti has filled, it’s possible to do all of these things in one trip. One can visit the food capital of the country famous for its unique continental cuisine in Bologna or visit some of the architectural wonders of the world, from the majestic cathedrals of the renaissance to the ancient gladiatorial grounds of Roma. No matter what you’re looking for, Italy has it all.
Read on to see just what music festivals you should check out while you indulge in everything from more traditional, can’t-miss tourist destinations to off the beaten path sites away from the hustle and bustle of it all.
Italian Opera
Opera is linked to Italy going back to the 17th century. More recently, Italy has given the world such luminary composers of the art form as Rossini, Verdi, and Puccini. Not surprisingly, there also exists some of the finest examples of opera houses like La Scala in Milan, La Fenice in Venice, and Italy’s largest, Teatro Massimo in Palermo.
Naturally then, there are myriad options for opera festivals in the country. Starting in mid-June and housed in Arena di Verona (the third largest Roman arena), Verona Opera is stunning for both its 1st century BC setting and its talent on display.
The Puccini Festival in Tuscany honors the legacy of the great Puccini, who grew up in a villa in Torre del Lago. It is a small town where he composed many of his operas; now, there’s a commemorative amphitheater on the lake that houses this festival in July and August.
The Opera Theater of Rome takes place in one of the capital’s best ancient sites, the Baths at Caracalla. The setting dates back to the 2nd century and makes for a fantastic venue for music and outdoor performances.
If you happen to be in the Marche region from late July to early August, be sure to check out the Sferisterio Opera Festival. Set in the beautiful countryside of Macerata in central Italy, do not miss the opportunity to hear opera in Arena Sferisterio, one of Italy’s top opera venues.
The Rossini Opera Festival, also in August in the Marche region, is set in the seaside resort town of Pesaro on the Adriatic coast. Rossini is on full display here, as his works are exclusively performed in the Adriatic Arena.
Umbria Jazz Festival
Billed as one of Italy’s top festivals, this event draws premier performers from all around the globe. Like many large global music festivals – Austin’s South by Southwest comes to mind – there are impromptu music gigs going on all around Perugia’s streets, squares, and cafes outside of the paid, ticketed events. Find more information on Umbria Jazz Festival’s official site.
Catch a Serie A Match
If you can make it before the end of May when the season ends and have some time in between music festivals, you should check out one of the elite soccer leagues in the world. If you are a fan of the beautiful game, then this is a no-brainer. If sports, or specifically what Europeans call “football,” is not your cup of tea, try to appreciate how this event involving a bunch of men suiting up on a field to kick a ball around drives grown men and women into a frenzy whenever a goal is scored. Soccer is a huge part of European culture, and the fact that Italy has been successful on the world stage as recently as 2006 makes this more than a sport, but a cultural touchstone for the country.
Stresa Music Festival
Hosted on Lake Maggiore, Stresa Music Festival hosts a variety of musicians, including both more established artists as well as up and comers of the music world who are winners of music competitions. One of the cool things is the diversity of venues on display, with venues both indoors and outdoors like churches, theaters, castles, gardens, and villas all cast around the picturesque lake.
Ravello Concert Society
If classical music is your genre of choice, check out the Ravello Concert Society located just south of Naples on the beautiful Amalfi Coast.
Piccola Accademia di Montisi
The only festival devoted to harpsichord and other early instruments, this unique festival takes place in Tuscany every year in July.
Where Poker Meets Music
Love poker and music? You are not alone: it turns out musicians love the cards, just as poker players love to listen to live music while they play. As it so happens, more and more music festivals are beginning to incorporate poker into their programs thanks to the growing popularity of intermingling the two activities. For a mélange of music and poker fun, check out the Italian Poker Tour hosted by PokerStars, where the seventh season returns with a €1,100 freeze out format. This is going to be popular for players around Italy and Europe, so do not miss out!
Hike in Southern Italy
The aforementioned Amalfi coast in Salerno is world-renowned for its natural beauty, and a great place to hit the trails with just your hiking boots and earbuds. Here, you can hike the Path of the Gods, or take a break for a swim and some gelato in Positano after a two and a half hour hike starting in Bomerano. If you find yourself in Sicily, the Stromboli volcano is a site that begs to be encountered, if only so you can brag to your friends that you hiked up an active volcano. This five hour hike up and down is not for the faint of heart, and must be taken with a guided tour. These descend the volcano at either midnight or dawn.