Chianni Opera Festival
Grand opera under the stars in the village of Chianni
About Chianni Opera Festival
The Chianni Opera Festival
In the heart of the Pisan hills, the Chianni Opera Festival is the opera and music series that brings the medieval village of Chianni—a small town in the Province of Pisa nestled in the Tuscan countryside—to life every summer. Founded in 2016 by baritone Giancarlo Ceccarini, the festival has turned a village of just a few hundred inhabitants into a landmark for opera lovers, staging live orchestra performances, choirs, and soloists in a setting of rare beauty.
Piazza del Castello as a natural theater
The heart of the event is Piazza del Castello, which transforms into an authentic open-air theater during the festival evenings. The ancient stones of the village serve as a natural backdrop for the performances: the square is equipped with a stage, an orchestra pit, and seating, allowing the audience to experience opera in an intimate and scenic setting, far from the formality of large theaters but with the same artistic dedication.
The 2026 tenth anniversary: Nabucco
The 2026 edition marks an important milestone, the tenth edition, and features Giuseppe Verdi's Nabucco as the inaugural performance—the composer's third opera and the one that launched his success. On the podium, Maestro Gabriele Centorbi leads the Orpheus Orchestra, joined by the "E. Bastianini" Union Corale Senese from Siena, conducted by Claudio Mugnaini, with direction by Giancarlo Ceccarini, the historical soul of the festival.
A widespread festival
The event is not limited to the opera night: alongside Nabucco in Piazza del Castello, the program includes a performance at the Piccolo Teatro di Chianni, inaugurated in 2019, and a day of concerts that expands the musical offering and involves various local artistic groups. The festival is organized by the Associazione Castrum Clani in collaboration with the Municipality of Chianni, the Pro Loco, and numerous local associations, with the support of private sponsors.
Chianni and Tuscany
Attending the Chianni Opera Festival is also an opportunity to discover an authentic corner of Tuscany: the village of Chianni, known for its extra virgin olive oil, chestnut forests, and truffle tradition, offers visitors the pleasure of an evening of great music preceded by the flavors and hospitality of the Pisan countryside. A blend of high culture and local identity that makes this festival a unique summer event.
Chianni Opera Festival — edition 2026
The 10th edition of the Chianni Opera Festival celebrates ten years of opera in the village with a program that weaves together opera, sacred music, and concerts.
Program
- June 27, 2026, 9:15 PM - Piazza del Castello: Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi, with the Orpheus Orchestra conducted by Gabriele Centorbi and the "E. Bastianini" Union Corale Senese.
- June 28, 2026 - Piccolo Teatro: musical event with free-will offering entry.
- September 12, 2026 - Day of concerts with a single ticket.
Directed by Giancarlo Ceccarini, founder and artistic director of the festival.
Programme Chianni Opera Festival 2026
Nabucco - June 27, 2026
Opera in four parts by Giuseppe Verdi, libretto by Temistocle Solera. Piazza del Castello, 9:15 PM.
- Conductor: Maestro Gabriele Centorbi - Orpheus Orchestra
- Choir: "E. Bastianini" Union Corale Senese of Siena (Maestro Claudio Mugnaini)
- Director: Giancarlo Ceccarini
- Nabucco: Tong Liu
- Abigaille: Elena Memoli
- Zaccaria: Alessandro Ceccarini
- Ismaele: Alessandro Fantoni
- Fenena: Guo Linwei
- High Priest of Baal: Alessandro Marilungo
- Abdallo: Filippo Pina Castiglioni
- Anna: Giulia De Blasis
Other events
June 28: Musical event at the Piccolo Teatro (free-will offering, minimum 10 euros). September 12: Concert day (single ticket 12 euros).
Highlights Chianni Opera Festival 2026
- Tenth anniversary of the Chianni opera festival
- Verdi's Nabucco performed outdoors in Piazza del Castello
- Live Orpheus Orchestra and choir conducted by Gabriele Centorbi
- International cast of soloists
- Widespread program featuring opera, Piccolo Teatro events, and concerts
Prices Chianni Opera Festival 2026
Practical information — Chianni Opera Festival
Getting there
Chianni can be reached by car via the SS439 and the provincial roads of the Valdera; the nearest train station is Pontedera-Casciana Terme, on the Florence-Pisa line, from where you can continue by car or local bus connections. The nearest airports are Pisa and Florence.
Tickets
For Nabucco on June 27th, prices range from 20 to 25 euros (Platea, Poltrona, Poltronissima), with discounts for Chianni residents and Pro Loco members (15-21 euros). Tickets are available online at oooh.events and at the Chianni Pro Loco office, Piazza Bartoli 13. The June 28th event at the Piccolo Teatro is by donation (minimum 10 euros), and the concert day on September 12th has a flat ticket price of 12 euros.
Tips
The June 27th performance takes place outdoors in Piazza del Castello: in case of rain, it will be held indoors at the Piccolo Teatro in a simplified form. We recommend arriving early and bringing a light jacket for the evening.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Chianni Opera Festival
Piazza del Castello
Piazza del Castello, 56034 Chianni