Going to a music festivals or outdoor concert during summer can be a highlight of a trip to Italy. You'll find many outdoor concerts in squares and public places throughout Italy. Here's a selection of top Italian summer music festivals.
Verona Opera, Arena di Verona
Martha Bakerjian, licensed to About.com
The Roman Arena in Verona is one of Italy's most spectacular settings for outdoor opera performances and concerts. Built in the 1st century BC, its the third largest Roman arena in Italy. The Arena di Verona summer opera season usually starts in mid-June and runs through early September with performances starting at 9 or 9:15 PM. You can check the schedule and buy Arena di Verona Opera Tickets from Select Italy or on the Arena di Verona web site.
Puccini Festival in Tuscany at Torre del Lago Puccini
Martha Bakerjian, licensed to About.com
Giacomo Puccini lived in a villa in Torre del Lago, a small town on a lake near the coast of Tuscany, and composed many of his operas there. Today there's a new outdoor amphitheater by the lake that is the setting for the Puccini opera festival held in July and August as well as other concerts and ballets. You can check the schedule and buy Puccini Festival Tickets from Select Italy or on the Puccini Festival Foundation web site.
Stresa Festival, Lake Maggiore
Stresa Music Festival, on Lake Maggiore, hosts both well-known performers and young winners of music competitions in a variety of indoor and outdoor venues including theaters, castles, churches, gardens, and villas around the lake. Stresa is one of the main towns on Lake Maggiore and it can be reached by train, bus, car, or boat. You can buy Stresa Festival concert tickets on Select Italy or on the Stresa Festival web site.
Opera Theater of Rome, Baths of Caracalla
Rome's Teatro dell'Opera holds summer performances at the Baths of Caracalla, one of Rome's top ancient sites. In use from the second through sixth centuries, the ancient baths make a spectacular setting for outdoor performances. Buy tickets for Teatro dell'Opera from Select Italy or see the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma web site.
Umbria Jazz Festival, Perugia
The Umbria Jazz Festival, held in Perugia, is one of Italy's top music festivals. The festival draws performers from all over the world and in addition to ticket concerts there's lots of music going on in Perugia's squares and streets. See Umbria Jazz Festival web site for program and ticket information.
Ravello Concert Society, Amalfi Coast
Ravello Concert Society holds concerts, primarily classical music, from spring through fall in various indoor and outdoor venues. The scenic Amalfi Coast, south of Naples, is one of Italy's top coast destinations. You can buy Ravello concert tickets on Select Italy or see the Ravello Concert Society web site for concert and ticket information.
Sferisterio Opera Festival, Macerata
Sferisterio Opera Festival is held in the Arena Sferisterio, one of Italy's premier opera venues, set in the scenic countryside of Macerata in central Italy's Marche region. Performances are usually held from late July through early August. Buy Sferisterio Opera tickets from Select Italy or see the Sferisterio Opera web site.
Rossini Opera Festival, Pesaro
The Rossini Opera Festival takes place in August in Pesaro, a seaside resort town on the Adriatic coast in central Italy's Marche region. The festival is dedicated entirely to works by Rossini and performances take place in theaters or in the Adriatic Arena. Buy Rossini Opera Tickets from Select Italy or see Rossini Opera Festival for information and tickets.
Festival Melodia di Vino, Tuscany
During late June and July, several Tuscan estates open their doors for a classical music concert with wine tastings. You can see the schedule and book tickets on Select Italy.
