Traditional Opera Season of the Pergolesi Theatre

The Traditional Opera Season, the musical soul of Jesi

The Traditional Opera Season of the Pergolesi Theatre is the historic opera festival of the city of Jesi, in the province of Ancona, in the Marche region. Promoted by the Pergolesi Spontini Foundation, it is part of the circuit of Traditional Opera Seasons recognised by the Ministry of Culture and represents a cornerstone of cultural life in the Marche. Its stage is that of the G.B. Pergolesi Theatre, an 18th-century gem overlooking Piazza della Repubblica, named after the great composer Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, who was born in Jesi in 1710.

The 59th edition of 2026

The 2026 edition is the 59th Traditional Opera Season and takes place between October and December with approximately 25 curtain raisings. Under the artistic direction of Cristian Carrara, the programme alternates great masterpieces of the repertoire with a new contemporary creation, confirming the dual vocation of the Jesi theatre: preserving tradition and making space for the music of our time.

The titles in the programme

• Il trittico by Giacomo Puccini (Il tabarro, Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi), October 9th and 11th, with a youth preview on October 7th, directed by Paul-Émile Fourny;
• Don Pasquale by Gaetano Donizetti, October 30th and 31st;
• L'esecuzione by Salvatore Passantino with libretto by Marco Malvaldi, November 14th and 15th, world premiere;
• Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi, December 11th and 13th;
• Querencia, ballet with choreography by Antonio Najarro, December 19th, closing the season.

A historic theatre and its excellences

Renowned conductors and directors alternate on the podium, while the musical performance is entrusted to the best local ensembles, from the FORM – Orchestra Filarmonica Marchigiana to the "Vincenzo Bellini" Marchigiano Lyrical Choir. The Opera Season is also known for its focus on accessibility, with initiatives dedicated to a wide audience and new generations, including youth previews and educational projects.

Jesi, city of opera in the Marche

Attending the Opera Season means experiencing Jesi during one of its most intense periods: the historic centre enclosed within the Renaissance walls, the Pergolesi Theatre, and the food and wine tradition of the Vallesina, from the famous Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi to local specialities. An experience that combines great opera with the discovery of one of the most fascinating towns in the Marche region.