Valle d'Itria Festival
The grand opera festival of Martina Franca, in the heart of the Valle d'Itria
About Valle d'Itria Festival
A unique opera festival in Italy
The Valle d'Itria Festival is one of the most prestigious and original operatic events on the European scene. Founded in 1975 on the initiative of Paolo Grassi, it takes place every summer in Martina Franca, a stunning baroque town in the province of Taranto, in the heart of the Valle d'Itria, dotted with trulli and olive groves. Its hallmark is the rediscovery of the rare repertoire: forgotten operas, original versions never performed, and modern premieres of baroque and bel canto titles that no other theater offers.
The most evocative stage: the Palazzo Ducale
The heart of the festival is the courtyard of the Palazzo Ducale, where the main opera is performed every summer evening under the starry Puglian sky. This scenic space is complemented by the city's cloisters and churches—the Chiostro del Carmine, the Chiostro di San Domenico, the Basilica di San Martino—which host chamber operas, symphonic concerts, and recitals. The programming also extends to nearby masserie and villages, transforming the entire Valle d'Itria into a vast, widespread theater.
New voices and great masters
The Valle d'Itria Festival has always been a springboard for young singers destined for great careers, thanks also to the "Rodolfo Celletti" Belcanto Academy, which trains new performers. Alongside emerging talents, internationally renowned conductors and directors alternate, making Martina Franca a laboratory where musical philology and scenic experimentation meet.
Artistic direction by Silvia Colasanti since 2025
Since 2025, the artistic direction has been entrusted to composer Silvia Colasanti, who has given the festival a thematic focus: each edition revolves around a major cultural theme, explored through the operas on the bill, concerts, conferences, and meetings. A way to make opera a living, contemporary language capable of engaging with the present.
Much more than opera
In addition to the evening performances, the festival offers a rich supporting program: symphonic and chamber concerts, the famous Concerti del Sorbetto, academic conferences, open rehearsals, and activities for young people. With a pricing policy among the most accessible in the Italian opera scene and discounts dedicated to those under 30 and under 18, the Valle d'Itria Festival combines artistic excellence with openness to the general public, confirming itself as a jewel of Puglian culture.
Valle d'Itria Festival — edition 2026
The 52nd edition of the Valle d'Itria Festival, directed by Silvia Colasanti, takes place in Martina Franca from July 14 to August 2, 2026, on the theme of the Mediterranean, understood as a cradle of myth, a crossroads of cultures, and a welcoming sea. Presented at the Piccolo Teatro in Milan, the edition revolves around three major operatic productions accompanied by a dense program of symphonic and chamber concerts, an academic conference, a special project by Marco Baliani, and the "In Orbita" series in the city's squares. The festival confirms its vocation for rediscovering rare repertoire, with a Carmen presented for the first time in a staged version using the original 1874 score and the return of a 17th-century Neapolitan baroque title.
Programme Valle d'Itria Festival 2026
The Operas
Pulcinella (Stravinsky) / La favola di Orfeo (Casella) — opening diptych at the Palazzo Ducale courtyard. Dates: July 14, 26, 29, and August 1. Conductor Nicolò Umberto Foron, directed by Jean Renshaw.
Carmen (Bizet) — in the original 1874 version, for the first time in a staged format. Palazzo Ducale courtyard, dates: July 25, 28, 31, and August 2. Conductor Fabio Luisi, directed by Denis Krief.
Lo schiavo di sua moglie (Provenzale) — first modern revival of the 17th-century Neapolitan drama. Chiostro del Carmine, dates: July 24, 27, 30. Conductor Antonio Florio, directed by Rita Cosentino.
Concerts and other events
- Concert of the Spirit (July 17)
- "They came from everywhere" (July 20-21)
- Mediterranean-themed chamber concerts in the Valle d'Itria (July 15-23)
- Concerti del Sorbetto (from July 18 to August 1)
- Academic conference "Rediscovering the ancient in the twentieth century" (July 18-19)
All evening performances begin at 9:00 PM. Full program and updates at festivaldellavalleditria.it.
Highlights Valle d'Itria Festival 2026
Prices Valle d'Itria Festival 2026
Practical information — Valle d'Itria Festival
How to get there
Martina Franca is located in the province of Taranto, in the heart of the Valle d'Itria. By car: take the A14 motorway, exit at Bari Nord or Gioia del Colle, then follow the SS172 dei Trulli. By train: the Martina Franca station is served by Ferrovie del Sud Est (Bari-Taranto line). Nearest airports: Bari-Palese and Brindisi-Casale, both about an hour's drive away.
Tickets
Prices range from 5 to 70 euros depending on the show and seating area. Discounts are available for seniors, under 30s, and under 18s; season tickets for the three operas and group discounts are also offered. Tickets can be purchased online via Vivaticket and at the festival box office. Info: [email protected] — tel. +39 080 8407250.
Tips
Evening performances begin at 9:00 PM. It is advisable to book accommodation and tickets in advance, especially during high-season weekends. Take the opportunity to visit Martina Franca and the white villages of the Valle d'Itria (Locorotondo, Cisternino, Alberobello).
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Where does it take place — Valle d'Itria Festival
Palazzo Ducale
Palazzo Ducale, Piazza Roma 32, 74015 Martina Franca