BelCanto Age

BelCanto Age: Bel canto returns to the Val d'Orcia

BelCanto Age is an opera festival that, every summer, brings the grand tradition of Italian bel canto back to the municipality of Montalcino, in the province of Siena, in the heart of Tuscany and the famous Brunello wine lands. The festival features a series of events held between the main town and the charming village of Montisi, blending musical excellence with the beauty of historic sites like the Fortress of Montalcino and the Garden of San Martino.

A project dedicated to young performers

The festival's core mission is to promote the Italian operatic tradition through the voices of the new generation. The stage features young artists who have already begun their journey in the operatic repertoire and represent some of the most compelling voices on the emerging scene. The program spans the most famous and refined pages of the Italian repertoire, with arias and duets by Gioachino Rossini, Vincenzo Bellini, Gaetano Donizetti, and Giuseppe Verdi, alongside forays into the Baroque repertoire.

Between Montisi and the Fortress of Montalcino

The festival's dual identity is reflected in its venues. In Montisi, the Garden of San Martino hosts intimate evenings dedicated to individual composers, such as tributes to the genius of Gaetano Donizetti. In Montalcino, the majestic Fortress provides the backdrop for grand choral concerts and musical journeys through the bel canto tradition, featuring the Harmonia Cantata choir directed by Raffaele Puccianti.

A local initiative

BelCanto Age is organized by the Pro Loco Giostra di Simone, with the support of the Municipality of Montalcino and the Fondazione Territoriale del Brunello di Montalcino. The festival is part of the region's rich summer calendar, helping to make Montalcino not only a food and wine destination but also a cultural and musical hub, where the art of the voice engages with the history and landscape of the Val d'Orcia.

Why attend

• Opera and bel canto concerts in historic settings in the province of Siena
• Emerging young performers of the Italian operatic repertoire
• Stunning venues: the Fortress of Montalcino and the Garden of San Martino in Montisi
• An opportunity to combine the discovery of the Brunello lands with classical music