NUME Academy & Festival
The international classical music festival in the heart of Cortona
About NUME Festival
A classical music festival in the heart of Tuscany
Perched amidst the Etruscan and medieval walls of the Val di Chiana, the town of Cortona, in the province of Arezzo, hosts the NUME Academy & Festival every summer, one of Tuscany's most refined classical music events. Promoted by the Seraphino Musical Association, the initiative combines two complementary souls into one unique experience: a prestigious academy for string instruments and an international festival that brings some of the world's greatest performers to the Cortona stage.
The Academy: the talents of tomorrow
The core of the event is the Academy, which selects a handful of young instrumentalists each year from hundreds of applicants worldwide. Students attend free masterclasses at the former Convent of Sant'Agostino, guided by the festival's guest masters. One of the most beautiful aspects of NUME is that most of these lessons are open to the public: anyone can attend the daily work that leads the young musicians to their final concert for free.
The Festival: world-class performers
Alongside the educational program, the festival features a high-profile season of chamber concerts and recitals that rivals major European events. Performances take place at the Teatro Signorelli, the Sant'Agostino Auditorium, local churches and cloisters, and even the Fortezza del Girifalco, overlooking the Val di Chiana. Over the years, the festival has hosted legends of the violin and cello, fostering a continuous dialogue between established masters and the next generation.
Risonanze: the widespread festival
The main event is complemented by Risonanze, a satellite program that brings music to unconventional locations throughout the region from May to July, extending the experience well beyond the core concert schedule in late June.
Cortona, the ideal stage
Visiting NUME also means discovering Cortona, a jewel of eastern Tuscany famous for its Etruscan roots, the Diocesan Museum, and its stunning views over the Arezzo countryside. The combination of world-class music and a town of rare beauty makes this event an unmissable destination for classical music lovers vacationing in Tuscany.
NUME Festival โ edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the NUME Academy & Festival unfolds from late May to early July, with its most intense period between June 17 and 26, when Cortona comes alive with concerts at the Teatro Signorelli, the Sant'Agostino Auditorium, and the cloisters of the historic center. This year's theme, "Great performers, new generations," encapsulates the festival's spirit: the dialogue between established masters and the thirteen young Academy students, chosen from over 350 international applications.
Notable guests include pianist and musicologist Robert Levin, violinist and conductor Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider, cellist Torleif Thedรฉen, and violist Lars Anders Tomter. Completing the program, the Risonanze festival brings music to unexpected corners of the region.
Programme NUME Festival 2026
May 27 - Sant'Agostino Auditorium
- 10:00 AM โ PIZZ'N'ZIP, concert for schools (sold out)
June 4 - San Domenico Church
- 9:15 PM โ Bevilacqua-Tamburini Duo (violin and cello)
June 16 - Teatro Signorelli
- 5:00 PM โ Open rehearsal reserved for music schools
June 17 - Teatro Signorelli
- 7:00 PM โ Fleur ร Ses Amis, recital with mezzo-soprano (opening concert)
June 20 - Diocesan Museum
- 5:00 PM โ The Secrets of Luthierie, concert-lecture on the violin
June 21 - Sant'Agostino Auditorium
- 7:00 PM โ Legends: A Stradivari Night with Robert Levin
June 22 - Sant'Agostino Auditorium
- 11:00 AM โ Open rehearsal
- 7:00 PM โ Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider "To My Friends"
June 23 - Sant'Agostino Auditorium
- 9:15 PM โ New Generation pt. 1, recital by young Academy artists
June 24 - Sant'Agostino Auditorium
- 9:15 PM โ New Generation pt. 2, recital by young Academy artists
June 25 - Sant'Agostino Auditorium
- 11:00 AM โ Open rehearsal
- 7:00 PM โ Sunsets, pages for strings (Grieg, Brahms)
June 26 - Sant'Agostino Auditorium
- 11:00 AM โ Open rehearsal
- 7:00 PM โ Nostalgia, chamber music (Mendelssohn, Dvoลรกk), closing concert of the main core
July 10 - Fortezza del Girifalco
- 7:00 PM โ Pulse: from Bach to Billie Eilish, violin performance
Academy masterclasses at the former Convent of Sant'Agostino are free and open to the public.
Highlights NUME Festival 2026
Prices NUME Festival 2026
Practical information — NUME Festival
Getting there
By train: Camucia-Cortona station (Florence-Rome line), connected to the historic center by shuttle bus. By car: Valdichiana exit (A1), then SS71 towards Cortona. The nearest airport is Florence, followed by Perugia and Rome.
Tickets
Concert tickets generally range from 2 to 25 euros depending on the event; some performances in churches and diocesan venues have slightly different pricing. Masterclasses and numerous open rehearsals are free. Presale and information at www.numefestival.it.
Tips
Cortona is a hillside town with steep streets: comfortable shoes are recommended. During high season, it is advisable to book accommodation in the city or the surrounding Val di Chiana area well in advance.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place โ NUME Festival
Teatro Signorelli, Auditorium Sant'Agostino e chiostri del centro storico
Piazza Luca Signorelli, 52044 Cortona