BellizziTeatro
The summer theatre festival at Arena Troisi, blending Neapolitan tradition with emerging talent
About BellizziTeatro
A festival spanning over thirty years
BellizziTeatro is one of the longest-running theatrical experiences in the province of Salerno. Born and raised in the town of Bellizzi, in Campania, the festival has accompanied the summers of the Piana del Sele for over three decades, reaching its 33rd edition in 2026. It is organized by the Associazione Artisti di Dioniso - Compagnia Stabile di Bellizzi, an amateur theatre group that has made continuity and youth development its hallmark, under the artistic direction of Maria Sannino.
Arena Troisi, a stage under the stars
The heart of the event is the Arena Troisi, an open-air space that fills with spectators of all ages on July evenings. It is true community theatre: you arrive on foot, sit next to your neighbors, and laugh together at the same jokes. This sense of proximity is what sets BellizziTeatro apart from a standard theatre season, making it feel more like a local village festival, albeit with a refined and recognizable artistic vision.
The repertoire: Eduardo, Scarpetta, and Neapolitan comedy
The programming is deeply rooted in the great Neapolitan theatrical tradition, a living cultural heritage of the entire Campania region. The 2026 edition featured Don Felice maestro di calligrafia by Eduardo Scarpetta and, most notably, Uomo e galantuomo by Eduardo De Filippo, one of the Neapolitan playwright's most famous comedies, staged by the Compagnia Stabile di Bellizzi with Alvaro Vitolo in the lead role and directed by Antonio Sannino. Alongside the classics, the festival showcases contemporary local works, such as Via Convento by Roberto Santoro, which has already received acclaim in various regional theatres.
Spotlight on youth and guest companies
One of the festival's pillars is training. Each edition provides a showcase for the association's Esordienti (Beginners) workshop, which presents a work developed throughout the year: in 2026, it was Le zanzare, written and directed by Maria Sannino with choreography by Irene Vitolo. The same logic applies to the inclusion of the Compagnia Giovani SognAttori and invitations extended to amateur groups from the province, such as the Compagnia del Teatro Montorese. The result is an intergenerational lineup where debutants and experienced actors share the same stage over the course of a few evenings.
More than just plays
The festival is not limited to spoken drama: evenings may open or close with musical interludes, such as the mini-concert by the Clarisonanze clarinet ensemble, conducted by Matteo Del Galdo, during the 2026 opening night. It is a way to broaden the audience and give visibility to other associations and musical groups from Bellizzi and neighboring towns.
Bellizzi and the Piana del Sele
Bellizzi is a young municipality, established in 1990, located just a few kilometers from Battipaglia and a little over fifteen from Salerno, in the fertile Piana del Sele. Its location makes it a convenient base for those visiting the Amalfi Coast, the temples of Paestum, or the Cilento region. Attending an evening at BellizziTeatro offers an authentic glimpse into the daily cultural life of the Salerno province, far from the typical tourist circuits.
Why it is worth visiting
- Open-air theatre on July evenings in an intimate, village-scale setting
- Classic Neapolitan comedy repertoire, from Scarpetta to Eduardo De Filippo
- A program that brings together local amateur companies and youth workshops
- A friendly and accessible atmosphere, perfect for those new to theatre
BellizziTeatro — edition 2026
BellizziTeatro 2026, the 33rd edition
Starting on July 16, 2026, the Arena Troisi in Bellizzi hosted the thirty-third edition of BellizziTeatro, organized by the Associazione Artisti di Dioniso - Compagnia Stabile di Bellizzi. Six shows over four evenings, under the artistic direction of Maria Sannino, showcased the festival's identity: valuing theatrical tradition and promoting the talent of new generations.
The opening night combined the debut of the Esordienti workshop and a well-established title from the Compagnia Stabile, with an added musical interlude by a clarinet ensemble. In the following evenings, guest companies from the Salerno province and great Neapolitan authors alternated, culminating in the final comedy by Eduardo De Filippo.
A community festival
As every year, the audience from Bellizzi and neighboring towns in the Piana del Sele filled the seats of the open-air arena. The model remains that of quality popular theatre: simple entry, recognizable repertoire, and attention to the young people who progress from the workshop to the main stage.
Programme BellizziTeatro 2026
Wednesday, July 16, 2026 - Opening Night
- Le zanzare - Esordienti workshop of the Associazione Artisti di Dioniso, written and directed by Maria Sannino, choreography by Irene Vitolo
- Via Convento by Roberto Santoro - Compagnia Stabile di Bellizzi, a show already performed in numerous regional theatres
- Mini-concert by the Clarisonanze clarinet ensemble, conducted by Matteo Del Galdo
Thursday, July 17, 2026
- Due atti più unici che rari - Compagnia Giovani SognAttori, a show inspired by the Neapolitan theatrical tradition
Friday, July 18, 2026
- Don Felice maestro di calligrafia by Eduardo Scarpetta - Compagnia del Teatro Montorese
Closing Night
- Uomo e galantuomo by Eduardo De Filippo - debut of the Compagnia Stabile di Bellizzi, with Alvaro Vitolo in the lead role and directed by Antonio Sannino
Start times for the evenings were not provided in the available sources.
Highlights BellizziTeatro 2026
- 33rd edition of the festival, six shows over four evenings
- Uomo e galantuomo by Eduardo De Filippo, with Alvaro Vitolo and directed by Antonio Sannino
- Don Felice maestro di calligrafia by Eduardo Scarpetta performed by the Compagnia del Teatro Montorese
- The debut of the Esordienti workshop with Le zanzare, written and directed by Maria Sannino
- Music by the Clarisonanze clarinet ensemble on opening night
Prices BellizziTeatro 2026
Practical information — BellizziTeatro
Location
Performances are held at the Arena Troisi in Bellizzi (SA), an open-air space in the town center. As these are summer evenings under the stars, it is advisable to bring a light jacket for later hours.
How to get there
- By car: Take the Battipaglia exit from the A2 del Mediterraneo motorway, then follow the SS18 towards Bellizzi; the town is just a few kilometers from the exit.
- By train: Battipaglia station (Salerno-Reggio Calabria line), connected to Bellizzi by bus and taxi in just a few minutes.
- By plane: Salerno-Costa d'Amalfi Airport (Pontecagnano), about a fifteen-minute drive away; alternatively, Naples-Capodichino.
Tickets and information
The festival is promoted by the Associazione Artisti di Dioniso - Compagnia Stabile di Bellizzi, based on Via delle Industrie in Bellizzi. Information regarding admission, potential reservations, and start times is released by the organizers close to the event dates. It is recommended to check directly with the association or via local information channels before traveling.
Where to stay
A wider range of accommodation can be found in Battipaglia, Pontecagnano Faiano, and Salerno. Those combining their visit with an archaeological itinerary can also stay in the facilities of Capaccio-Paestum, about thirty kilometers away.
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Where does it take place — BellizziTeatro
Arena Troisi