Festival delle Nazioni
The historic chamber music festival of Città di Castello
About Festival delle Nazioni
A musical journey between nations
Born in 1968, the Festival delle Nazioni is one of the longest-standing and most prestigious musical events in Umbria. It is held in Città di Castello, an art city in the Province of Perugia overlooking the Upper Tiber Valley, and each year it chooses a nation or cultural area as its theme, exploring its repertoire from the great classics to contemporary creations.
Great performers and first performances
The heart of the festival is chamber music, performed by internationally renowned soloists and ensembles. Alongside the masterpieces of the repertoire, there is space for absolute first performances and projects that intertwine music with cinema, theatre, dance, and the spoken word. The main venue is the 18th-century Teatro degli Illuminati, but concerts also take place in the most beautiful locations in the region.
A festival spread across the Upper Tiber Valley
In addition to Città di Castello, the festival involves the towns of the Umbrian-Tuscan Upper Tiber Valley—from Sansepolcro to Montone, from Umbertide to Citerna and Monte Santa Maria Tiberina—making churches, theatres, and historic palaces throughout the area «resound» with music. Supported by the Umbria Region and the Municipality of Città di Castello, the Festival delle Nazioni is now a benchmark for classical and chamber music enthusiasts throughout Italy.
Festival delle Nazioni — edition 2026
The 59th edition of the Festival delle Nazioni, scheduled from August 27 to September 11, 2026, is dedicated to Germany and German-speaking countries: a musical journey into Central Europe touching Berlin, Vienna, Potsdam, Munich, and Salzburg, from the enlightened courts of the 18th century to the avant-gardes of the 20th century. The common thread is Johann Sebastian Bach, alongside Schubert, Brahms, Mahler, Schönberg, and Kurt Weill.
Artist in residence is pianist Ramin Bahrami, who opens the festival on August 27 at the Teatro degli Illuminati with music by Bach, Schumann, Mozart, and Beethoven. Among the guests are the Salzburg String Trio, the Wiener Kammersymphonie, the Quartetto di Venezia, the Trio Yablonsky, pianist Tamás Érdi, and other soloists. Concerts will be held throughout the Umbrian-Tuscan Upper Tiber Valley.
Programme Festival delle Nazioni 2026
Opening — Thursday, August 27
- Teatro degli Illuminati, Città di Castello: opening concert by Ramin Bahrami (Bach, Schumann, Mozart, Beethoven)
Among the events
- «An Evening in Sanssouci» (Sansepolcro, September 8): the court of Frederick II of Prussia and the Bach family
- Absolute first performances by contemporary composers Giovanni Falascone and Floriana Provenzano
- Concerts with the Salzburg String Trio, the Wiener Kammersymphonie, the Quartetto di Venezia, the Trio Yablonsky, pianist Tamás Érdi, and other soloists (Robert Lehrbaumer, Sergei Malov, Luigi Piovano)
Closing concert — Friday, September 11
- Absolute first performance of the «Bach Dance Concert», which combines music and contemporary dance with the Compagnia Nazionale Zappalà Danza
The Alberto Burri Competition
- On August 27 and 28, the National Alberto Burri Competition for young chamber music ensembles (under 33) will take place within the festival
Venues include Città di Castello, Sansepolcro, Montone, Umbertide, Citerna, and Monte Santa Maria Tiberina. Full program and tickets available on the official website.
Highlights Festival delle Nazioni 2026
Prices Festival delle Nazioni 2026
Practical information — Festival delle Nazioni
How to get there
Città di Castello can be reached by car from the E45 (Cesena-Orte link), exit Città di Castello, and by train via the Ferrovia Centrale Umbra (Perugia-Sansepolcro line). The nearest airports are Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi and Florence.
Ticket office
The festival ticket office is located at Via Mario Angeloni 8 in Città di Castello. Tickets, season tickets, and the full programme are available on the official website.
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Where does it take place — Festival delle Nazioni
Teatro degli Illuminati e sedi dell'Alta Valle del Tevere
Via Mario Angeloni 8, 06012 Città di Castello