Festival Opera Prima
Rovigo's international contemporary theatre festival
About Opera Prima
A Showcase of the Contemporary Scene
Festival Opera Prima is Rovigo's major showcase for contemporary theatre and performing arts, held in the capital of the Polesine region in Veneto. Originally conceived as a space dedicated to emerging talent and experimentation, it has grown over the years into an international festival attracting hundreds of companies. For the 2026 edition, the selection process received 736 submissions from around the globe.
Performances in City Locations
Opera Prima's strength lies in its integration with Rovigo's urban and historic spaces. Performances take place at the Teatro Studio, in the Giardini Due Torri (Two Towers Gardens), in the underground areas of the Two Towers, in Piazza Annonaria, the Chiostro degli Olivetani (Olivetan Cloister), and other city centre locations, transforming Rovigo into a vast, open-air stage. Alongside the performances, the festival offers meetings with artists, critical discussions, and a musical "after-festival" event.
Experimental Theatre, Dance, and New Writing
The programming blends experimental theatre, contemporary dance, performance art, and new dramaturgy, with a global perspective that dialogues between Italian and international realities. This event has placed Rovigo on the map of the contemporary performing arts scene, offering audiences in the Polesine region and visitors the chance to discover companies and artistic languages rarely encountered elsewhere.
Opera Prima — edition 2026
The 2026 edition reaffirms the international scope of the Festival Opera Prima: from 736 submissions worldwide, a jury selected the programme that will animate Rovigo's urban and historic spaces from June 10th to 14th. Alongside the performances, there will be meetings with artists and critical reflection sessions, while evenings will continue with the musical after-festival event in the Giardini Due Torri.
Programme Opera Prima 2026
Companies Selected for the 22nd Edition
Among the selected shows and artists for the 2026 programme are:
- Compagnia Samovar — Officina Oceanografica Sentimentale
- MOMEC — Trevirgolacinque
- Teatro del Lemming — Una sola moltitudine and L'Edipo dei Mille
- Motus — Frankenstein (a love story)
- Serena Abrami, Enrico Vitali and Manuel Coccia — Partitura di stagioni — concerto per Mahvash Sabet
- Daria Barbone and Alessia Marra — Mi spaventa l'inverno (contemporary dance)
- Gianluca Misiti and Roberto Latini — D'oro
- Joshua Monten — Yes/No
- Dafa Puppet Theatre / Husam Abed — War Maker
- Dora Macripò — Crossing the River I Dance
- Qui e Ora Residenza Teatrale — Ora felice
- Thierry Eliez — Emerson Enigma
Festival Venues
- Teatro Studio
- Giardini Due Torri and the underground areas of the Two Towers
- Piazza Annonaria and Piazza Garibaldi
- Chiostro degli Olivetani
The evening after-festival features musical sets by artists such as Arousal, Funkowl, Xadrex, and Gaiba. The detailed hourly schedule is published on the official website festivaloperaprima.it.
Highlights Opera Prima 2026
Prices Opera Prima 2026
Practical information — Opera Prima
Getting Here
Rovigo is located on the A13 Bologna-Padova motorway and is served by the Verona-Rovigo and Bologna-Padova railway lines. The festival venues are in the historic centre, within walking distance of the train station.
When
From June 10th to 14th, 2026 (22nd edition).
Tickets and Information
Many performances are free or low-cost; booking is recommended for some. Programme, tickets, and information point available on the official website festivaloperaprima.it. Info: [email protected].
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Where does it take place — Opera Prima
Spazi urbani del centro storico di Rovigo
Via Teano 36/A, 45100 Rovigo