Classica al Tramonto
The IUC summer concert series at the Botanical Garden in Trastevere
About Classica al Tramonto
A festival at dusk in the green heart of Trastevere
Classica al Tramonto is the summer festival organized by the IUC - Istituzione Universitaria dei Concerti, the concert institution affiliated with Sapienza University of Rome. Every year, between June and July, it moves its programming outdoors to the Botanical Garden Museum in Largo Cristina di Svezia, in the city of Rome, the capital of the Metropolitan City of Rome and the Lazio region. The venue is more than just a backdrop: the Botanical Garden's twelve hectares occupy the ancient gardens of Palazzo Corsini—once belonging to Queen Christina of Sweden—and climb the slopes of the Janiculum Hill, featuring monumental greenhouses, a rose garden, a bamboo grove, and the famous staircase of the eleven fountains.
Music at sunset
The formula is simple and iconic: arrive as the light begins to fade, stroll through the garden, and take your seat outdoors for a concert that begins once the Roman heat has finally subsided. The evenings alternate between unique concerts at 9:00 PM and double-bill evenings, with two performances at 8:30 PM and 9:30 PM, allowing you to enjoy two different acts in a single night. Alongside the music, there are special events, author talks, and immersive performances.
A deliberately eclectic program
The core of the festival remains the chamber repertoire—Bach, Haydn, Beethoven, Brahms, Schumann, as well as 20th-century masters like Shostakovich, Pärt, Janáček, and Dvořák—but over the years, the IUC has chosen to expand its lineup well beyond classical music. Each edition features a dialogue between:
- major Italian and international jazz, featuring top-tier artists and established ensembles;
- electronic music and live electronics, often entrusted to emerging projects;
- audiovisual performances and video art designed for the darkness of the garden;
- talks and discussions on contemporary themes, from artificial intelligence in music to the relationship between sound and landscape;
- world music, ranging from ethno-jazz to Brazilian and Middle Eastern sounds.
This programming choice reflects the IUC's academic mission: to bring together a traditional audience and new generations, established artists and young winners of international competitions.
Why it's worth the trip
In Rome, summer is the season for major outdoor events, from the Baths of Caracalla to the stages along the Tiber. However, Classica al Tramonto occupies a niche all its own: intimate scale, natural acoustics, accessible ticket prices, and a botanical setting that no other Roman festival can offer. For visitors to Trastevere, combining a walk through the neighborhood, dinner at a local trattoria, and an evening concert in the garden is one of the most pleasant ways to experience the city in June and July.
The context: Trastevere and the Janiculum
The entrance at Largo Cristina di Svezia is just minutes from Piazza Trilussa and Ponte Sisto, in the most famous district of Rome's riverside. Climbing above the Botanical Garden, you reach the Janiculum Hill, with its famous panoramic view over the entire city: many spectators arrive early to combine a visit to the garden, which is also open during the day, with the evening concert.
Classica al Tramonto — edition 2026
Ninth edition: seventeen evenings of classical music, jazz, and experimentation
The 2026 edition of the IUC festival confirmed its well-established formula: unique concerts at 9:00 PM and double-bill evenings at 8:30 PM and 9:30 PM, set in the historic gardens of Queen Christina of Sweden in Trastevere. A deliberately eclectic program, featuring the Miles Davis centenary, classical and romantic chamber repertoire, electronic music, and visual arts.
In addition to the concerts, the audience enjoyed meetings and immersive performances that intertwined live music, video, and reflections on new technologies applied to sound.
Programme Classica al Tramonto 2026
2026 Program
- June 11 - Enrico Pieranunzi (piano) and Bebo Ferra (guitar), "Evanscape", a tribute to Bill Evans: opening concert.
- June 18 - Gianni Oddi Quartet, "A Beautiful Miles", for the Miles Davis centenary.
- June 23 - Jazz Campus Orchestra conducted by Massimo Nunzi, "Italian Jazz Boom! (In Swing)"; followed by Pietro Leveratto Pangea with Gabriele Mirabassi, blending original composition and improvisation.
- June 25 - Alessandro Simoni, piano recital from Bach to contemporary; Martin Nöbauer (Austria), "Beethoven: Sturm", three Beethoven sonatas.
- June 26 - Opera Electric, presentation of the EP "Changing Colors": synth-pop and live electronics with Leon Blane and Nelio Van Heeswijk.
- July 2 - Margherita Iannilli and Federico Castriota, "Campo Sensibile", audiovisual performance.
- July 7 - Shirvani Sisters (cello and piano) with music by Brahms, Rachmaninov, and Persian songs; Moisés P. Sánchez, "FALLA Imaginado", a reinterpretation of Manuel de Falla.
- July 10 - Stefano Mainetti in conversation with Luca Pincini and Gilda ButtĂ , "Along Time": music and artificial intelligence.
- July 14 - Galá Avos, works by Dvořák, Suk, and Janáček.
- July 15 - Gianluca Persichetti and Massimo Aureli with Brazilian sounds; Candy Cane Snail, ethno-jazz exploration. Closing night.
A total of seventeen events including concerts, meetings, and immersive performances.
Highlights Classica al Tramonto 2026
- Opening concert by Enrico Pieranunzi and Bebo Ferra dedicated to Bill Evans.
- Tribute to the Miles Davis centenary with the Gianni Oddi Quartet.
- Double-bill evenings: two different performances in the same night, at 8:30 PM and 9:30 PM.
- The section dedicated to music and artificial intelligence with Stefano Mainetti.
- Open-air listening at the Botanical Garden Museum, in the historic gardens of Queen Christina of Sweden.
Prices Classica al Tramonto 2026
Practical information — Classica al Tramonto
Location
Botanical Garden Museum of Rome, Largo Cristina di Svezia 23A, 00165 Rome (Trastevere district).
How to get there
On foot from Piazza Trilussa (about 5 minutes) crossing Ponte Sisto. By public transport: tram 8 (Trastevere/Mastai stop), buses 23, 125, and 280 along the Tiber; Trastevere station (regional trains and FL1/FL3 lines) is about 20 minutes away. Driving is discouraged as the neighborhood is congested and parking is very difficult: public transport is highly recommended.
Tickets
Paid admission with affordable prices: full price 15 euros, reduced 12 euros, under 30s 8 euros, plus a 10% booking fee. Information and reservations via the IUC, phone 06 3610051-52, and on the website www.concertiiuc.it.
Tips
Concerts are held outdoors: we recommend bringing a light sweater for the evening and mosquito repellent, given the lush greenery and proximity to the Tiber. It is advisable to arrive early to enjoy the garden before the start of the show.
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Where does it take place — Classica al Tramonto
Museo Orto Botanico di Roma
Largo Cristina di Svezia 23A, 00165 Roma