Rome Chamber Music Festival

An international festival in the heart of Rome

The Rome Chamber Music Festival is one of the most prestigious chamber music events in the capital. Hosted in the historic Teatro Argentina, in the heart of Rome's historic center just steps from Largo di Torre Argentina, the festival brings some of the finest performers of the international classical scene to the Lazio region every June. Established in 2003 by American violinist Robert McDuffie, the event is supported by an Italian-American non-profit foundation and has built a solid reputation over the years for its refined programming and constant dialogue between generations of musicians.

The 23rd edition (2026)

From June 18 to 21, 2026, the Teatro Argentina becomes a crossroads of borderless sounds. This year's program is designed to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America: a sonic journey that intertwines the most beloved masterpieces of the chamber repertoire with great works by American composers, from George Gershwin to Samuel Barber. Each evening creates a dialogue between different eras and languages, from the Baroque of Vivaldi and Handel to the Romanticism of Brahms, through to the geometries of Bartók and the colors of jazz.

The program night by night

• Thursday, June 18 — Opening night between Baroque and the American 20th century: Saint-Saëns' Fantaisie for violin and harp, Barber's String Quartet Op. 11, Vivaldi's Sinfonia in C major from Giustino, and Handel's cantata Aminta e Fillide.
• Friday, June 19 — Melody and inner voice: Villa-Lobos' Bachianas brasileiras No. 5, Bruch's String Octet, and Brahms' Piano Quartet No. 2.
• Saturday, June 20 — Between folklore and the city: Villa-Lobos' Bachianas brasileiras No. 1, Ravel's Introduction et Allegro, Bartók's Contrasts, and Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue in the version for two pianos.
• Sunday, June 21 — Grand finale "Chamber Music Meets Rock and Roll": Robert McDuffie on stage with Mike Mills, co-founder of R.E.M., and Chuck Leavell, the legendary keyboardist for the Rolling Stones and the Allman Brothers Band, in a tribute to the icons of the American South.

Robert McDuffie and young talents

At the heart of the project is the training of new generations: alongside established soloists, dozens of young professionals from all over the world perform each year, selected and paired with masters in a growth path that combines masterclasses, rehearsals, and concerts. This is the true identity of the Rome Chamber Music Festival, where music becomes an encounter between generations and cultures.

The Teatro Argentina

Inaugurated in 1732, the Teatro Argentina is one of the oldest and most important theaters in Rome and the seat of the Teatro di Roma. Its acoustics and historic atmosphere provide an ideal setting for chamber music in the beating heart of the city and the Lazio region.