Chieti Classica — International Music Festival
Edition 2026 Music Classical Opera

Chieti Classica — International Music Festival

Twenty days of world-class classical music in the heart of Chieti

Chieti — Chieti (069) Since 2018
Dates 01 Jul — 20 Jul 2026
Location Chieti (069)
Prices Free
Status Confirmed

About Chieti Classica

Every July, the Chieti Classica International Music Festival transforms the historic center of Chieti into a sprawling, open-air stage. Concerts, masterclasses, and encounters with world-renowned soloists bring the city's theaters, historic palaces, churches, and squares to life. Directed by Maestro Giuliano Mazzoccante and organized by the Municipality of Chieti in collaboration with ArtEnsemble, the festival blends high-level training with spectacular performances. With almost all events free of charge, it brings the beauty of classical music to a broad, international audience.

Chieti Classica: Music throughout the city

Every summer, Chieti Classica — International Music Festival enlivens the historic center of Chieti, the provincial capital of Abruzzo, with twenty days of concerts, masterclasses, and meetings with internationally acclaimed artists. Established in 2018, the festival has grown into one of the most anticipated classical music events in the region, attracting musicians from all over the world.

The concept of "diffused music"

The festival's signature formula is diffused music: rather than concentrating events in a single venue, the festival turns the entire city into a grand stage. Concerts take place in the most evocative and characteristic spots of Chieti, including the Teatro Marrucino, Palazzo de' Mayo, the Costantino Barbella Art Museum, the Crypt of San Giustino, the National Archaeological Museum of Abruzzo at La Civitella, and the squares of the historic center.

Advanced training and great soloists

Under the artistic direction of Maestro Giuliano Mazzoccante, pianist and president of ArtEnsemble, the festival pairs its concert program with a wide range of masterclasses dedicated to violin, viola, cello, piano, chamber music, opera singing, and clarinet. Over the years, the festival has hosted prominent soloists such as cellist Alexander Chaushian, violinists Pavel Berman, Eva Bindere, and Dora Schwarzberg, violist Zvi Carmeli, and tenor Fabio Armiliato.

A free festival open to the city

One of the most appreciated features of Chieti Classica is its accessibility: almost all events are free of charge, with the aim of introducing the general public to classical music. Alongside the concerts, there are workshops for children, social initiatives, cultural meetings, and family-oriented activities, creating a festive atmosphere that involves the entire community of the Municipality of Chieti.

An international event for Abruzzo

With its international vocation, Chieti Classica represents an important cultural showcase for Abruzzo and the city of Chieti, serving as a meeting point between tradition, advanced training, and new generations of musicians. The festival helps to enhance the historical and artistic heritage of the city, offering residents and visitors a European-level musical experience in the heart of the region.

Chieti Classica — edition 2026

The ninth edition of Chieti Classica returns from July 1st to 20th, 2026, with twenty days of concerts, masterclasses, and meetings with great international soloists. Directed by Maestro Giuliano Mazzoccante, the festival spreads across the Teatro Marrucino, historic palaces, churches, and squares of Chieti's center, with almost all events free of charge and important new features such as a lecture series on music and wellness and a theater workshop.

Chieti Classica 2026: the ninth edition

From July 1st to 20th, 2026, Chieti Classica celebrates its ninth edition with twenty days of great music in the historic center of Chieti. The event, directed by Maestro Giuliano Mazzoccante and presided over by Konstantin Ishkhanov, confirms the "diffused music" formula, with concerts in the city's most evocative locations.

Among the artists expected are cellist Alexander Chaushian, violinists Pavel Berman, Eva Bindere, and Dora Schwarzberg, violist Zvi Carmeli, and tenor Fabio Armiliato. New features for 2026 include a series of university lectures on music and health, a theater workshop (July 6-11), and several events that extend beyond the city limits to reach the provinces of L'Aquila and Pescara.

Programme Chieti Classica 2026

  • June 30 (preview): Choir concert at the Teatro Giardino of Palazzo de' Mayo, 9:00 PM, on the theme "Music and Wellness"
  • July 1-20: Concerts, masterclasses, and meetings in the historic center (Teatro Marrucino, Palazzo de' Mayo, Barbella Museum, Crypt of San Giustino, Villa Comunale)
  • July 8: "Music Playground" with instruments spread throughout the historic center
  • July 10: Concert by Alexander Chaushian and Dmitry Ishkhanov at the Teatro Marrucino (the only paid event)
  • July 18-19: Provincial events, with a tribute to Lucio Battisti in Collepietro and an homage to Pooh in Roccamorice
  • July 20: Cabaret show by Vincenzo Olivieri in Piazza G.B. Vico

Highlights Chieti Classica 2026

Gala concert with Alexander Chaushian at the Teatro Marrucino; international masterclasses for violin, viola, cello, piano, opera singing, and clarinet; lecture series on music and wellness; theater workshop featuring Chekhov's texts; events spread throughout the city.

Prices Chieti Classica 2026

Free admission to almost all events. The only paid event is the concert on July 10 at the Teatro Marrucino, with tickets available on ciaotickets.com and at the theater box office.

Practical information — Chieti Classica

Getting there

Chieti can be reached by train via the Chieti Scalo station, which is connected to the historic center by local buses. By car, take the A25 motorway (Chieti exit) or the A14 (Pescara-Chieti exit). The nearest airport is Pescara (Abruzzo Airport), located about 20 km away.

Tickets

Almost all events are free of charge. Paid events, such as the gala concert at the Teatro Marrucino, have tickets available for purchase on ciaotickets.com and at the Teatro Marrucino box office.

Information

Full program and updates are available on the official website chieticlassica.com.

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Where does it take place — Chieti Classica

Teatro Marrucino e centro storico

Contact Chieti Classica

Chieti Classica in brief

Music Classical Opera Baroque music Sacred music Young audience Outdoor Free Multidisciplinary International Chieti

History of Chieti Classica