Tuscania Summer Festival
Over two months of international music in the heart of Tuscia
About Tuscania Summer Festival
An international festival in the heart of Tuscia
For over two months, the Tuscania Summer Festival brings world-class classical, operatic, and chamber music to the medieval stones of Tuscania, an Etruscan and medieval town in the province of Viterbo, northern Lazio. The 2026 edition, running from July 18 to September 26, offers more than sixty events, including symphonic concerts, opera, solo recitals, chamber music, exhibitions, lectures, and film screenings, with an increasingly international focus and a strong commitment to young talent.
A young history, an ambitious project
The festival was founded in 2025 by the The Arts Crossroad APS-ETS association, chaired by Japanese musician Chieko Hata, alongside artistic coordinator Stefano Palamidessi, based at the Palazzo Giannotti Academy of Arts. Following a successful two-week inaugural edition with over twenty-five events, the 2026 festival scales up significantly, spanning over two months with the support of the Municipality of Tuscania, the Lazio Region, the Diocese of Viterbo, and the Carivit Foundation.
The venues: a widespread stage across churches, theatres, and palaces
The festival's strength lies in the dialogue between music and heritage. Concerts are held in the city's most evocative locations:
- Torre Lavello Park Amphitheatre, a natural arena overlooking the monumental complex, hosting major orchestral productions;
- Teatro Rivellino and Teatro Pocci;
- Church of Sant'Agostino and the garden of the former Temple of Santa Croce;
- Palazzo Fani and Palazzo Giannotti, as well as historic gardens and courtyards.
La Bohème at the amphitheatre and international orchestras
The centerpiece of the 2026 edition is a new production of Giacomo Puccini's La Bohème (September 5 and 6), bringing grand opera to the Torre Lavello Amphitheatre for the first time. The stage will feature international ensembles such as the Wuxi Symphony Orchestra from China, the Hearts of Vision Orchestra from South Korea, and the Cento Città Symphony Orchestra, alongside renowned soloists like Maurizio Baglini, Silvia Chiesa, and Gabriele Pieranunzi.
Raising Stars: putting young talent center stage
At the heart of the project is Raising Stars, a program that brings over seventy young musicians from Italy, China, South Korea, Spain, France, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Argentina to Tuscania for masterclasses with renowned teachers and public performances. The festival concludes on September 25 and 26 with Raising Stars – Soloists with Orchestra, offering the best students their debut as soloists with an orchestra.
Luthiery, exhibitions, and meetings
The program also includes the International Luthier Exhibition (August 28 and 29), showcasing historic instruments and artisans from across Europe, as well as lectures, artist meet-and-greets, and music-themed screenings. Many events are free, and Tuscania residents enjoy discounted rates—a tangible way to weave music into the community's daily life and the cultural tourism of the Tuscia region.
Tuscania Summer Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Tuscania Summer Festival marks a major step forward for the event: over two months of programming, from July 18 to September 26, with more than sixty events including symphonic concerts, opera, chamber music, exhibitions, and lectures in the most beautiful locations of Tuscania, in the province of Viterbo.
The opening, on Saturday, July 18, is dedicated to «La Città che Suona – Raising Stars», a day of free concerts in the historic center. The highlight is the new production of Puccini's La Bohème (September 5 and 6) at the Torre Lavello Park Amphitheatre, the first major operatic production in this natural arena. The lineup also features the Wuxi Symphony Orchestra from China, the Hearts of Vision Orchestra from South Korea, the Cento Città Symphony Orchestra, and soloists such as Maurizio Baglini, Silvia Chiesa, and Gabriele Pieranunzi, leading up to the grand finale on September 25 and 26 with the young talents of Raising Stars performing as soloists with orchestra.
Programme Tuscania Summer Festival 2026
2026 Program — main events
- Saturday, July 18 — «La Città che Suona – Raising Stars» (free admission): 11:00 AM Teatro Rivellino, recital by pianist Gabriele Ciarniello; 6:00 PM Palazzo Fani, 13-year-old violinist Raicho Petrosillo with Giovanni Finucci; 7:00 PM garden of the former Temple of Santa Croce, guitarist Gabriele Fabbri.
- Sunday, July 19, 9:30 PM — Teatro Rivellino: Ukrainian pianist Olga Zdorenko performing works by Liszt, Chopin, and Rachmaninov.
- July-September — solo recitals and chamber music with artists from Italy, China, South Korea, Spain, France, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Argentina, held at the Church of Sant'Agostino, Teatro Pocci, Teatro Rivellino, Palazzo Fani, and Palazzo Giannotti; featuring Maurizio Baglini, Silvia Chiesa, Gabriele Pieranunzi, and the Andalusia Guitar Quartet.
- August 28-29 — International Luthier Exhibition, featuring historic instruments and artisans from across Europe.
- September 5-6 — Torre Lavello Park Amphitheatre: new production of La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini.
- Symphonic concerts with the Wuxi Symphony Orchestra (China), the Hearts of Vision Orchestra (South Korea), and the Cento Città Symphony Orchestra.
- September 25-26 — «Raising Stars – Soloists with Orchestra»: grand finale with selected young musicians making their debut as soloists with orchestra.
The program is completed by lectures, artist meet-and-greets, exhibitions, and music-themed screenings.
Highlights Tuscania Summer Festival 2026
- Puccini's La Bohème at the Torre Lavello Amphitheatre (September 5-6), the first major operatic production in the natural arena
- Over 60 events in two months covering symphonic, opera, and chamber music
- International orchestras: Wuxi Symphony Orchestra (China) and Hearts of Vision Orchestra (South Korea)
- International Luthier Exhibition on August 28-29
- Raising Stars: over 70 young musicians from 10 countries, with a finale featuring soloists with orchestra on September 25-26
- Renowned soloists: Maurizio Baglini, Silvia Chiesa, Gabriele Pieranunzi
Prices Tuscania Summer Festival 2026
Practical information — Tuscania Summer Festival
Getting there
Tuscania is located in the province of Viterbo, northern Lazio, approximately 25 km from Viterbo and 20 km from Tarquinia. By car: take the A12 motorway, exit at Tarquinia, and follow the SP Tarquiniense; alternatively, from Rome, take the SS675 expressway to Viterbo and continue towards Tuscania. By bus: Cotral connections are available from Viterbo and Tarquinia. The nearest train stations are Viterbo and Tarquinia.
Tickets
Admission ranges from 5 to 20 euros depending on the event; Tuscania residents receive a discounted rate of 5 euros for most performances. Numerous events are free, starting with the opening day, "The City that Plays" (La Città che Suona).
Contacts
Official website: www.tuscaniafestival.com — email: [email protected] — tel. +39 376 0871073.
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Where does it take place — Tuscania Summer Festival
Anfiteatro del Parco di Torre Lavello
Largo Indipendenza, 01017 Tuscania