Anghiari Festival

The Anghiari Festival: Great music in the heart of the Valtiberina

Every July, the medieval village of Anghiari—a jewel perched on a hill in the Tuscan Valtiberina, in the Province of Arezzo—becomes the natural stage for the Anghiari Festival, a week entirely dedicated to symphonic, choral, and chamber music. Awarded the 'Orange Flag' by the Italian Touring Club and recognized as one of Italy's most beautiful villages, Anghiari provides a stunning backdrop of stone alleys, churches, cloisters, and piazzas that double as open-air concert halls.

The orchestra and the conductor

The beating heart of the festival is the Sinfonia Smith Square orchestra from London (formerly Southbank Sinfonia), an ensemble that has brought together talented young musicians from around the world since 2002, just as they embark on their professional careers. Leading the orchestra and serving as the festival's artistic director is maestro Simon Over, the orchestra's founder and an honorary citizen of Anghiari since 2010—a testament to the deep bond between the London musicians and the Tuscan community. Joining the orchestra are the Vox Musica choir and numerous guest soloists.

A festival woven into the village

The typical daily schedule includes a late afternoon concert in the center of Anghiari or in one of the picturesque surrounding locations, followed by a more substantial evening performance, often symphonic or operatic. Performances are held in churches, cloisters, and historic squares, fostering an informal atmosphere and a closeness between the audience and artists that remains one of the festival's most beloved features.

• Evening symphonic and operatic concerts with the full orchestra
• Chamber music and solo recitals in churches and cloisters
• Choral concerts with Vox Musica
• Afternoon sessions in the town center and surrounding areas

A community event

The Anghiari Festival is, first and foremost, an event born from the Anghiari community to foster cultural growth and welcome visitors, organized with the essential support of the Pro Loco Anghiari. It is an opportunity for the village to share its rich artistic, architectural, and cultural heritage—the same heritage that made the town famous for the legendary Battle of Anghiari in 1440. Many concerts are free to attend, while tickets for the symphonic and operatic evenings can be purchased in advance at the Pro Loco office in the town center or directly before the performances.