Illica Festival

A festival dedicated to Luigi Illica

The Illica Festival is the main musical event in Castell'Arquato, a splendid medieval village perched on the hills of the Val d'Arda, in the province of Piacenza, in the heart of Emilia-Romagna. The event pays homage to Luigi Illica (1857-1919), the famous librettist born in this municipality, author of the texts for masterpieces such as Tosca, La Bohème, Madama Butterfly, and Andrea Chénier, written for Giacomo Puccini, Pietro Mascagni, and Umberto Giordano. Illica, a friend of the poet Giosuè Carducci, was one of the most cosmopolitan figures in the Italian opera scene between the 19th and 20th centuries.

Opera, theatre, and music in the historic squares

Each edition features a program that combines operas in concert form, cine-concerts, theatrical performances, instrumental ensembles, and in-depth discussions. The main stage is the evocative Piazza Monumentale, dominated by the Rocca Viscontea, the Collegiata, and the Palazzo del Podestà, a setting that amplifies the emotion of the performances under the summer sky. The festival is promoted by the Municipality of Castell'Arquato through its Department of Culture and Tourism.

The 2026 edition with the Veleia Festival

The thirteenth edition, scheduled for July 3, 16, and 22, 2026, is the result of close artistic and organizational collaboration with the Veleia Ancient Theatre Festival. The program opens with a cine-concert dedicated to the legend of Enrico Caruso, continues with Vissi d'arte, a performance by and with Stefano Massini dedicated to the figure of Illica, and culminates with Mozart's The Magic Flute, narrated by Sergio Rubini with the Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini.

The Luigi Illica International Award

The festival is also linked to the prestigious Luigi Illica International Award, an accolade given to prominent figures in the world of opera, culture, and music journalism. The nearby Illica Museum, which houses documents and memories of the librettist, is also active and extends its opening hours during the event.

Castell'Arquato, a jewel of the Val d'Arda

Visiting the Illica Festival is also an opportunity to discover one of the most beautiful villages in Italy: cobbled alleys, medieval and Renaissance buildings, and the famous flavors of Piacenza tradition, from DOP cured meats to the wines of the Colli Piacentini. A perfect blend of great music and the historical-landscape heritage of Emilia-Romagna.