AstiLirica
Asti's widespread opera festival, spanning theaters, churches, and historic courtyards
About AstiLirica
AstiLirica: Opera spreading through the heart of Piedmont
AstiLirica is the opera festival that, every year between late May and early July, brings the historic center of Asti—the capital of the province of the same name in Piedmont—to life. The concept that makes it so special is simple yet fascinating: taking opera out of the traditional theater and letting it thrive in the city's iconic landmarks, from the Teatro Alfieri to churches, historic courtyards, and contemporary cultural spaces. The result is a journey that intertwines music, architecture, and civic identity.
A festival born to make the city sing
Promoted by the Municipality of Asti together with the Lirica Tamagno association and under the artistic direction of Renato Bonajuto, AstiLirica has grown with each edition to become a highly anticipated date on the Piedmontese cultural calendar. The format features a selection of evenings, each set in a different venue, ensuring every piece finds its perfect backdrop: grand repertoire on the stage of the Teatro Alfieri, sacred music beneath the vaults of a collegiate church, or chamber opera in more intimate settings.
Repertoire: From melodrama to chamber opera
The program spans famous Italian melodramas, masterpieces of bel canto, Baroque oratorios, and 20th-century chamber operas, alternating with vocal and piano concerts. Special attention is given to emerging voices: many performers are selected from competition winners and conservatory students, offering young singers a real stage alongside established professionals.
- Operas and melodramas in staged form
- Oratorios and sacred music in places of worship
- Vocal, piano, and polyphonic concerts
- Free-admission events in courtyards and libraries
Venues: Asti becomes a widespread stage
The venues hosting the festival include the historic Teatro Alfieri, the Collegiata di San Secondo dedicated to the city's patron saint, the Astense Library courtyard, Spazio Kor, and other central locations. This widespread dimension is the hallmark of AstiLirica: every evening is an opportunity to rediscover a corner of Asti, a city of art known for its medieval heritage and the great winemaking tradition of the Monferrato region.
Opera accessible to everyone
One of the festival's declared goals is to make opera accessible: ticket prices remain affordable, numerous discounts are available, and some concerts are free until capacity is reached. This approach has allowed AstiLirica to introduce new audiences to musical theater, alongside long-time enthusiasts.
AstiLirica — edition 2026
The fourth edition of AstiLirica confirms the 'widespread opera' formula for the city of Asti: five evenings, five different venues, and a repertoire spanning verismo melodrama, French musical theater, Rossini's sacred music, and 20th-century chamber opera. The 2026 festival, organized by the Municipality of Asti with Lirica Tamagno and directed by Renato Bonajuto, proposes major titles alongside young performers selected through auditions and competitions. Two events, the concerts on June 8 and 21, are free until capacity is reached.
Programme AstiLirica 2026
Saturday, May 30, 9:00 PM — Teatro Alfieri
- Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo
- Conductor: Stefano Giaroli — Terre Verdiane Orchestra
- Director: Alessandro Brachetti — Production: Fantasia in Re
- Cast: Dario Prola (Canio), Clementina Regina (Nedda), Jung Jaehong (Tonio), William Allione (Silvio)
Monday, June 8, 9:15 PM — Astense Library Courtyard
- Armonie Celesti — vocal concert
- Free admission until capacity is reached
Saturday, June 13, 9:00 PM — Spazio Kor
- La tragédie de Carmen, based on Carmen by Georges Bizet (adaptation by Brook, Carrière, Constant)
- Conductor: Cesare Della Sciucca — Bartolomeo Bruni Orchestra
- Director: Alberto Barbi — Production: Lirica Tamagno
- Cast: Irene Molinari (Carmen), Danilo Formaggia (Don José), Jung Jaehong (Escamillo), Marta Leung (Micaela)
Sunday, June 21, 9:15 PM — Collegiata di San Secondo
- Petite Messe Solennelle by Gioachino Rossini
- Performers selected from the Koliqi Competition winners
- Free admission until capacity is reached
Thursday, July 2, 9:00 PM — Palco 19
- The Medium by Gian Carlo Menotti
- Conductor: Maurizio Colasanti — Bartolomeo Bruni Ensemble
- Director: Renato Bonajuto — Production: Lirica Tamagno and Guardiagrele Opera
Highlights AstiLirica 2026
- Inauguration at Teatro Alfieri with Leoncavallo's Pagliacci conducted by Stefano Giaroli
- La tragédie de Carmen, an intense reinterpretation of Bizet's masterpiece, at Spazio Kor
- Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle at the Collegiata di San Secondo, with free admission
- The chamber opera The Medium by Menotti closing the festival at Palco 19
Prices AstiLirica 2026
Practical information — AstiLirica
Getting there
Asti is easily reached by train: the station is connected to Turin, Alessandria, and Genoa and is just a few minutes' walk from the center. By car, the city is served by the A21 Turin-Piacenza motorway. The festival venues are located in the historic center and are easily accessible on foot.
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased at the Teatro Alfieri box office (Via al Teatro Alfieri, Asti) and online via the official sales network. Several evenings offer discounted rates, and some concerts are free until capacity is reached.
Information
Phone: +39 0141 399057. The Teatro Alfieri box office is generally open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
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Where does it take place — AstiLirica
Teatro Alfieri e sedi diffuse in città
Via al Teatro Alfieri 6, 14100 Asti