Südtirol Festival Merano.Meran

A festival of international renown in Merano

The Südtirol Festival Merano.Meran, historically known as the Merano Music Weeks (Meraner Musikwochen), is one of the most significant classical music festivals in the Alpine region. It takes place every summer in Merano, an elegant spa town in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, in the heart of Trentino-Alto Adige. Founded in 1986 and under the artistic direction of Andreas Cappello, the festival has established itself as a premier destination for lovers of great symphonic music, attracting some of the world's most celebrated orchestras and performers to Merano.

The Kursaal and festival venues

The beating heart of the event is the magnificent Kursaal, an Art Nouveau concert hall overlooking the Passirio Promenade, widely considered to have one of the finest acoustics in the Alps. Entry to the symphonic concerts is marked by a red carpet and welcoming music, a ritual that blends sophistication with excitement. Beyond the Kursaal, concerts are held in a dozen evocative locations across the region: the Puccini Theatre, the Cathedral of San Nicolò, the Evangelical Church, the Pavillon des Fleurs, as well as various castles and churches in the Burgraviato area, such as Tyrol Castle, Scena Castle, and Katzenzungen Castle.

A program spanning symphonic, baroque, and world music

The festival organizes its programming into several thematic cycles: classic featuring grand symphonic concerts, baroque showcasing early music in historical settings, colours of music dedicated to jazz and world music, matinée classique with Saturday morning chamber music, mystica focusing on sacred music in churches, and vox humana featuring a cappella vocal ensembles. The young artists portrait cycle provides a platform for emerging talent, while the pre.festival offers musical screenings in Piazza Terme.

Renowned orchestras and soloists

Throughout its history, the festival has hosted some of the most prestigious international symphonic ensembles and leading figures of the concert scene. The programming alternates between romantic, classical, and baroque repertoires, offering the audience a high-level listening experience within the unique atmosphere of a city that blends Central European and Mediterranean cultures.

Merano and South Tyrol

Experiencing the festival also means discovering Merano and its surroundings: the walks along the Passirio River, the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, the thermal baths, and the distinctive bilingual culture of South Tyrol. The Südtirol Festival Merano.Meran thus represents a rare union of musical excellence, architectural heritage, and Alpine scenery, attracting a devoted audience from all over Europe every year.