Como City of Music Festival
Opera, ballet, and major shows at the Arena of the Teatro Sociale in Como
About Como City of Music
Two weeks of music at the Arena of the Teatro Sociale
From the end of June to mid-July, the Arena of the Teatro Sociale in Como transforms into a grand open-air stage. The Como City of Music Festival, organized by the Teatro Sociale di Como-AsLiCo, offers a program that alternates opera, international ballet, concerts, and immersive shows, animating the center of the Larian capital for almost two weeks.
200.Com: opera becomes community
The heart of the festival is the 200.Com project, which each year stages a major opera title involving a choir of over two hundred amateur singers from the region. It is a unique experience in Italy: opera leaves elite theaters and becomes a community event, capable of uniting professionals and citizens on the same stage. Alongside the main opera, the festival features dance galas with international stars, symphonic concerts, and new formats such as shows with videomapping.
Around the Festival: music invades the city
In addition to the Arena events, the festival spreads dozens of free concerts in the most evocative locations in Como: the Torre del Baradello at sunset, the gardens of Villa Olmo and Villa del Grumello, parks, and historic hotels. It's a way to bring music back to the symbolic places of the city and the lake, making it accessible to everyone.
A festival in the heart of Como
Included among the major summer events of the Municipality of Como, the capital of the Province of Como in Lombardy, the festival takes place in the Arena set up in Piazza Verdi, next to the historic Teatro Sociale. An event that has made Como a benchmark for classical and popular music in Lombardy.
Como City of Music — edition 2026
The 2026 edition revolves around the theme "La luce langue" (Light languishes), a verse from Giuseppe Verdi's Macbeth, the main title of the 12th edition of the 200.Com project. Alongside the opera, the program features the Stars of Ballet gala, Carmina Burana by Carl Orff in a videomapping live show version, and the ARENA360° party. Numerous free "Around the Festival" concerts are also scheduled in Como's iconic locations.
Programme Como City of Music 2026
Macbeth by Giuseppe Verdi — 200.Com Project
- Tuesday, June 30 (Young Preview Under30), Thursday, July 2, Saturday, July 4, Monday, July 6 — 9:30 PM, Arena of the Teatro Sociale
Directed by Paola Brunello. Cast: Jun Young Choi (Macbeth), Francesca Paoletti (Lady Macbeth), Gabriele Valsecchi (Banquo), Marco Miglietta (Macduff). Orchestra 1813 conducted by Francesco Pasqualetti, with the 200.Com Choir of over 200 amateur singers. Tickets from €38.
Stars of Ballet — Youth Grand Prix Gala
- Tuesday, July 7, 9:30 PM, Teatro Sociale (internal hall)
Gala with international dance stars including Violetta Keller, Julian MacKay, and Alessandro Frola.
Carmina Burana — Videomapping Live Show
- Thursday, July 9, 9:30 PM, Arena of the Teatro Sociale
Carl Orff's Carmina Burana in a version for two pianos and percussion, with live videomapping by Olo Creative farm. Soloists: Erika Tanaka (soprano), Giacomo Leone (tenor), Guido Dazzini (baritone).
ARENA360° — Random, a chance party
- Saturday, July 11, Arena of the Teatro Sociale
Immersive party with a 360° console, curated by E507 Studio. Early bird ticket €12.
Around the Festival (free concerts)
- July 3 — sunset concert at Torre del Baradello
- July 5, 5:45 PM-8:00 PM — musical walk at Villa Olmo
- Sunrise concert at Villa del Grumello and shows in the city's parks and historic hotels
Highlights Como City of Music 2026
Prices Como City of Music 2026
Practical information — Como City of Music
Where
Arena of the Teatro Sociale in Como, Piazza Verdi, in the historic center. Some "Around the Festival" events are held in other locations in the city (Villa Olmo, Villa del Grumello, Torre del Baradello).
Tickets
On sale at www.comofestival.org and at the Teatro Sociale ticket office (tel. +39 031 270170). Opera Macbeth from €38; reduced rates for Under30s. Many "Around the Festival" events are free.
How to get there
Como is reachable by train (Como San Giovanni and Como Nord Lago) and by car from the A9 motorway. The Teatro Sociale is located in the historic center, a short walk from the lake.
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Where does it take place — Como City of Music
Arena del Teatro Sociale di Como
Piazza Verdi, 22100 Como