Il Belcanto Ritrovato
National Festival of Forgotten 19th-Century Opera, between Fano, Pesaro, and Urbino
About Il Belcanto Ritrovato
A Festival Reviving Lost Bel Canto
Il Belcanto Ritrovato is a National Festival dedicated to rediscovering the forgotten Italian operatic repertoire of the early 19th century. Created to bring forgotten bel canto masterpieces back to the public, each edition focuses on a composer and one of their operas, staged for the first time in modern times. The festival is presented itinerantly across Fano, in the Province of Pesaro and Urbino, and the nearby cities of Pesaro and Urbino, in the heart of the Marche region, the birthplace of Gioachino Rossini.
Fano, Capital of the Festival
Fano is the hub of the event: the Corte Malatestiana hosts the main opera of the program, while the Teatro della Fortuna features talks, musical aperitifs, and anthology concerts. During the festival days, bel canto also spills out from its traditional venues into the streets of the historic center, with open-air song and piano concerts. It's an experience designed for opera enthusiasts but also accessible to those new to this repertoire.
Philosophy: Rediscovery and Dissemination
In just a few years, the festival has brought over forty composers and a wealth of forgotten operas back into the spotlight, with some complete productions recorded for the Bongiovanni label. Alongside performances, the program includes in-depth meetings, musicological conferences, and outreach events such as backstage workshops and the "Prima della prima" (Before the Premiere) talk, guiding the audience in discovering the opera and its historical context.
A Cultural Project of the Marche Region
Il Belcanto Ritrovato is realized in collaboration with the Fondazione Teatro della Fortuna, the Associazione Amici dell'Orchestra Sinfonica G. Rossini, and the Associazione Dimore Storiche Italiane, with the Orchestra Sinfonica Gioachino Rossini as its resident ensemble. Artistic direction is by Paolo Rosetti. A free shuttle service between Pesaro and Fano is provided on opera evenings, underscoring the shared, territorial vocation of this project.
Il Belcanto Ritrovato — edition 2026
For its fifth edition, the festival celebrates the Neapolitan composer Carlo Coccia, a student of Giovanni Paisiello and a prominent figure in the 19th-century European opera scene. New for 2026: for the first time, two opera titles are presented, Coccia's La donna selvaggia in its complete form and Luigi Ricci's Un'avventura di Scaramuccia in a smart format. Fano once again serves as the central hub for the program, with 6 out of the 11 total events.
Programme Il Belcanto Ritrovato 2026
Wednesday, August 19 — Fano
- Song and piano concert in the streets of the historic center
Sunday, August 23 — Fano, Corte Malatestiana
- "The Bel Canto Workshop": the public witnesses the staging process of the main opera of the program, a new initiative revealing the production's behind-the-scenes workings
Monday, August 24 — Fano, Teatro della Fortuna
- 6:30 PM — "Aperitivo col Belcanto": a gastronomic-musical event with pieces from the opera and themed tastings
Tuesday, August 25 — Fano, Teatro della Fortuna and Corte Malatestiana
- 6:30 PM (Teatro della Fortuna foyer) — "Prima della prima" (Before the Premiere): an in-depth talk preparing for the opera, exploring feminine themes and artistic aspects
- 8:30 PM (Corte Malatestiana) — La donna selvaggia by Carlo Coccia, first modern performance with staging, featuring soloists, choir, and the G. Rossini Symphonic Orchestra. Conductor Enrico Lombardi, chorus master Mirca Rosciani
Wednesday, August 26 — Fano, former church of San Francesco
- Anthology concert "The Most Beautiful… Canto": selected pieces from the rediscovered bel canto repertoire
The festival also continues with stops in Pesaro (concerts, sacred music, musicological conference at the Museo Nazionale Rossini with Claudio Toscani) and Urbino (preview concert at the Palazzo Ducale, smart format opera in Piazza Duca Federico).
Highlights Il Belcanto Ritrovato 2026
Prices Il Belcanto Ritrovato 2026
Practical information — Il Belcanto Ritrovato
Where
The events in Fano primarily take place at the Corte Malatestiana and the Teatro della Fortuna, as well as in the streets of the historic center. Other festival stops are held in Pesaro and Urbino.
How to Get There
Fano is easily accessible by train (railway station on the Adriatic line) and by car via the A14 motorway, Fano exit. A free shuttle service is available between Pesaro and Fano on the main opera evenings.
Tickets and Information
For tickets, prices, and reservations, please contact the festival's box office (tel. +39 0721 580094, [email protected]) or consult the official website ilbelcantoritrovato.it. Some events in the historic center are free admission.
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Where does it take place — Il Belcanto Ritrovato
Corte Malatestiana
Corte Malatestiana, 61032 Fano