Bergonzi Festival
Tribute to the great tenor Carlo Bergonzi in the land of Verdi
About Bergonzi Festival
A new opera festival in the land of Verdi
The Bergonzi Festival was born in 2026 in Busseto, in the province of Parma, in the heart of the Emilia-Romagna region that saw Giuseppe Verdi born and grow. The season is dedicated to the memory and artistic legacy of Carlo Bergonzi (Vidalenzo di Polesine Parmense, 1924 - Milan, 2014), one of the greatest Verdi tenors of the 20th century, a figure inextricably linked to this corner of the Parma lowlands.
The initiative is promoted by the association Ambasciatori di Verdi ETS and the Fondazione I Musici di Parma ETS, in collaboration with the Municipality of Busseto and media partner Operalibera. It is conceived as an annual event, timed to coincide with the Maestro's birth and death anniversaries, and to promote the operatic tradition of the region.
The program for the first edition
The core of the 2026 programming features two opera titles staged in the scenic open-air theatre of the Scuderie di Villa Pallavicino, chosen from operas dear to the tenor:
- The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini, a jewel of the comic repertoire, opens the festival.
- La traviata by Giuseppe Verdi, an absolute masterpiece of Italian melodrama, is presented on the Maestro Bergonzi's birthday anniversary.
The season concludes with a tribute concert to Carlo Bergonzi, held in the evocative setting of the Cloister of the former Convent of the Dominicans in Zibello, a hamlet of the municipality of Polesine Zibello.
Music and food and wine tradition
The Bergonzi Festival combines great opera with the local food and wine heritage: the performances are accompanied by experiences featuring local cured meats and wines, in a dialogue between music and traditions that is a hallmark of the Parma lowlands, a land of culatello and culture.
Busseto, Verdi's capital
A historic village in the province of Parma, Busseto is an unmissable stop for opera lovers: here you can find Casa Barezzi, the Verdi Theatre, and numerous places linked to the composer's life. With the birth of the Bergonzi Festival, the town adds a new chapter to its role as guardian of the great Italian operatic tradition.
Bergonzi Festival — edition 2026
Bergonzi Festival 2026 - First Edition
The inaugural season opens on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 9 PM with The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini and continues on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 9 PM with La traviata by Giuseppe Verdi, on the Maestro Bergonzi's birthday anniversary. Both performances are held at the open-air theatre of the Scuderie di Villa Pallavicino in Busseto. The festival concludes on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at 9 PM with a free admission tribute concert at the Cloister of the former Convent of the Dominicans in Zibello.
Programme Bergonzi Festival 2026
2026 Calendar
- Thursday, June 25, 9 PM - The Barber of Seville (Gioachino Rossini), Scuderie di Villa Pallavicino, Busseto. Cast: Bruno Taddia (Figaro), Enrico Iviglia, Alessandro Corbelli, Chiara Amarù, Marco Spotti.
- Monday, July 13, 9 PM - La traviata (Giuseppe Verdi), Scuderie di Villa Pallavicino, Busseto. Conductor Daniele Agiman. Cast: Claudia Pavone (Violetta), Davide Tuscano (Alfredo), Lodovico Filippo Ravizza.
- Sunday, July 26, 9 PM - Tribute to Carlo Bergonzi, concert at the Cloister of the former Convent of the Dominicans, Zibello. Soloist Antonino Siragusa, piano accompaniment by Claudia Zucconi. Free admission.
Highlights Bergonzi Festival 2026
- Absolute first edition of the festival dedicated to Carlo Bergonzi.
- La traviata on the Maestro's birthday anniversary, conducted by Daniele Agiman.
- Free tribute concert with tenor Antonino Siragusa in the Zibello cloister.
- Performances accompanied by tastings of local cured meats and wines.
Prices Bergonzi Festival 2026
Practical information — Bergonzi Festival
Where
The opera performances take place at the open-air theatre of the Scuderie di Villa Pallavicino, in Via Ziliani in Busseto (PR). The tribute concert is held at the Cloister of the former Convent of the Dominicans in Zibello.
How to get there
Busseto is reachable by car from the A1 motorway (Fidenza exit) and the A21. Busseto railway station is served by the Cremona-Fidenza-Parma line.
Tickets
Single ticket for each opera: €30. Season ticket for both operas: €50. The Zibello tribute concert is free admission. Bookings and tickets online via the official platform; information via email at [email protected].
Tip
Before and after the performances, you can enjoy local cured meats and wines in the gardens of Villa Pallavicino; booking by email is recommended.
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Where does it take place — Bergonzi Festival
Teatro all'aperto delle Scuderie di Villa Pallavicino
Via Ziliani, 43011 Busseto