Chiostri e Cortili – Summer Festival of the Camerata Polifonica Siciliana
Classical music for the summer in the cloister of Santa Maria di Gesù in Catania
About Chiostri e Cortili
A summer festival in the heart of Catania
Chiostri e Cortili is the summer classical music festival organized by the Camerata Polifonica Siciliana in the city of Catania, Sicily. Launched in 2023, the event is permanently hosted in the extraordinary cloister of Santa Maria di Gesù, located in Piazza Santa Maria di Gesù—an 18th-century space that becomes a refined open-air stage during summer evenings. The artistic direction is led by Maestro Giovanni Ferrauto, while the presidency is held by musicologist Aldo Mattina.
A program spanning symphony, chamber music, and theater
Every year, the festival offers a concert cycle that alternates between great symphonic and chamber repertoire, tributes to beloved composers, and cross-genre performances involving theater, dance, and 20th-century music. The stars of the show are the Orchestra della Camerata Strumentale Siciliana and numerous international soloists and conductors, joined on select evenings by ensembles from the Vincenzo Bellini Conservatory of Catania.
- Symphonic and chamber concerts in the open-air cloister
- Tributes to great composers, from Mozart to Mendelssohn
- Chamber opera and operettas featuring singers and actors
- Contemporary tango evenings and bandoneón music
- International soloists on violin, cello, and piano
The setting: the cloister of Santa Maria di Gesù
The Santa Maria di Gesù complex, with origins dating back to the 15th century, is located in the neighborhood of the same name in Catania. The cloister, with its porticoes and intimate atmosphere, offers evocative acoustics and a historical context that enhances every performance. The choice of such a symbolic venue confirms the Camerata Polifonica Siciliana's commitment to bringing great music to the city's most iconic heritage sites.
Practical information
Concerts typically take place on Friday evenings. Admission is a single, affordable ticket, with a reduced rate dedicated to students and faculty of the Vincenzo Bellini Conservatory. It is a wonderful opportunity to experience classical music in the summer within one of the most fascinating spots in Catania's historic center.
Chiostri e Cortili — edition 2026
Chiostri e Cortili 2026
The fourth edition of the summer festival of the Camerata Polifonica Siciliana will be held in Catania from June 5 to July 24, 2026, with eight events on Friday evenings at 8:30 PM in the cloister of Santa Maria di Gesù. Artistic direction is by Maestro Giovanni Ferrauto.
It kicks off on June 5 with 270 Years of Genius by Moonlight, a tribute to Mozart featuring the Orchestra Camerata Strumentale Siciliana, Angela Camerini on flute, and Giuseppina Vergine on harp, conducted by M° Damiano Tognetti. This is followed by Contemporary Tango Night with bandoneonist Fabio Furia (June 12), Konzertstücke conducted by Ruben Silva (June 19), and the chamber opera Il sonno scappa a Peppe Nappa (June 26).
In July: One Man Band with guitarist Francesco Buzzurro (July 3), Vertigine d'archi with violinist Vikram Francesco Sedona conducted by M° Piero Romano (July 10), Il Canto del Violoncello with M° Giovanni Gnocchi in tribute to Rocco Filippini (July 17), and the grand finale PianOpera: Così fan tutte by the Italian Opera Academy (July 24).
Programme Chiostri e Cortili 2026
- June 5 – 270 Years of Genius by Moonlight (Mozart tribute): Orchestra Camerata Strumentale Siciliana, Angela Camerini (flute), Giuseppina Vergine (harp), cond. M° Damiano Tognetti
- June 12 – Contemporary Tango Night: Fabio Furia (bandoneón), Orchestra Camerata Strumentale Siciliana, cond. M° Giovanni Pompeo
- June 19 – Konzertstücke: cond. Ruben Silva
- June 26 – Il sonno scappa a Peppe Nappa (chamber opera): Cosimo Coltraro and Emanuele Puglia (actors)
- July 3 – One Man Band, a six-string orchestra: Francesco Buzzurro
- July 10 – Vertigine d'archi: Orchestra Camerata Strumentale Siciliana, Vikram Francesco Sedona (violin), cond. M° Piero Romano
- July 17 – Il Canto del Violoncello (tribute to Rocco Filippini): M° Giovanni Gnocchi
- July 24 – PianOpera: Così fan tutte: Italian Opera Academy
All concerts are on Fridays at 8:30 PM.
Highlights Chiostri e Cortili 2026
- Eight concerts in the cloister of Santa Maria di Gesù
- Opening with a tribute to the 270th anniversary of Mozart's birth
- Contemporary tango with Fabio Furia's bandoneón
- Finale with PianOpera dedicated to Così fan tutte
Prices Chiostri e Cortili 2026
Practical information — Chiostri e Cortili
Location
Cloister of Santa Maria di Gesù, Piazza Santa Maria di Gesù 19, 95124 Catania (CT), Sicily.
How to get there
By car: the square is located in the northwestern part of central Catania, accessible from the ring road (Catania Centro exit). By plane: Catania-Fontanarossa Airport is just a few kilometers away. By train: Catania Centrale station, then take local transport or a taxi.
Tickets
Single admission 10 euros; reduced 5 euros for students and faculty of the Vincenzo Bellini Conservatory (limited seating). Online ticketing at yeventi.com. Information and reservations: tel. +39 392 0889640 (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM).
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Where does it take place — Chiostri e Cortili
Chiostro di Santa Maria di Gesù
Piazza Santa Maria di Gesù 19, 95124 Catania