Tarantella Carnival Festival

Folk Carnival arrives at the Parco della Musica

The Tarantella Carnival is one of the most anticipated events of the winter season at the Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone, located in the Flaminio district of Rome. Every year, as Carnival approaches, this original project by Ambrogio Sparagna brings the masks, dances, songs, and traditional instruments of Italy back to the capital, reinterpreted with infectious energy and a festive spirit. It is a way to rediscover, in the heart of the city, the ancient agrarian rites that once marked the transition from winter to spring—a time of awakening and rebirth.

A community rite between parade and concert

The day is divided into two distinct parts. In the early afternoon, the outdoor pedestrian areas of the Auditorium host a parade of traditional masks and dancers, drawing the public into a whirlwind of sound and color. In the evening, the Sala Sinopoli hosts the grand concert: on stage, the Orchestra Popolare Italiana, the Popular Choir directed by Anna Rita Colaianni, and the Folk Dancers led by Francesca Trenta bring to life a sweeping succession of tarantellas, saltarelli, pizziche, and masked rhythms.

Ambrogio Sparagna and the Orchestra Popolare Italiana

The soul of the project is Ambrogio Sparagna, one of Italy's leading interpreters and researchers of folk music, an organetto player and director of the Orchestra Popolare Italiana. His approach combines philological rigor with the joy of togetherness: the festival is never just a performance, but a collective ritual where the audience is invited to join in by clapping, singing, and dancing. Each edition hosts guest groups and artists who broaden the perspective to other Carnival traditions, fostering a dialogue between folk cultures.

A Carnival in the heart of Rome

Situated between the Flaminio district and the Olympic Village, the Auditorium Parco della Musica is the city's largest cultural venue and a symbol of contemporary Rome. Hosting the Tarantella Carnival here means bringing rural and Southern Italian culture to a prestigious stage, restoring the dignity and centrality that traditional music deserves. For families, folklore enthusiasts, and those looking to experience Carnival differently, it is an unmissable event in the Lazio region.

Who is this show for?

• Families and children, thanks to the festive atmosphere and the outdoor masked parade
• Fans of folk music, tarantella, pizzica, and Southern Italian traditions
• Tourists and locals seeking an authentic, participatory Carnival experience in the capital
• Those who love large live concerts in a prestigious venue like the Sala Sinopoli