Venice's Baroque Summer in the Places of Antonio Vivaldi
The Vivaldi Festival is the major summer event that Venice dedicates to its most famous musician, Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741), the "Red Priest" who composed and conducted much of his work in the lagoon city. For over a month, the city transforms into a widespread stage for Baroque music, with almost daily concerts held in the churches, basilicas, and cloisters of the historic center.
The heart of the festival lies in the venues connected to the composer's life: the majestic Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, the Church of San Giovanni in Bragora, where Vivaldi was baptized in the Castello district, and the intimate Cloister of San Francesco della Vigna. Performing Vivaldi's music in the same spaces that inspired it offers a unique experience, where the acoustics of Venetian churches become an integral part of the performance.
The program alternates between the most beloved masterpiecesโchief among them The Four Seasonsโand sacred works like the Gloria and Magnificat, up to tributes to other great composers of the Baroque and Classical periods such as Alessandro Scarlatti and Antonio Salieri. Orchestras, vocal ensembles, and soloists take turns in concerts ranging from the Summer Solstice to the celebrations for the Feast of the Redeemer.
Promoted in Venice, in the Veneto region, the Vivaldi Festival revives the musical vocation of a city that was among the European capitals of music in the 18th century. Many concerts in churches are free to enter, making this sonic heritage, which belongs to the very identity of the Serenissima, accessible to allโVenetians and visitors alike.
The fifth edition of the Vivaldi Festival will bring Venice to life from June 21 to July 28, 2026, celebrating the spirituality and theatricality of Baroque music. The opening coincides with the Summer Solstice Concert on June 21, as part of the European Music Day, followed by a schedule of almost daily events that will traverse the entire lagoon city.
The festival pays homage not only to Antonio Vivaldi but also to Alessandro Scarlatti and Antonio Salieri, fostering a dialogue between the great voices of the Baroque and Classical eras. Among the most anticipated moments are the Concert for the Feast of the Redeemer and the performance of the famous The Four Seasons.
The main venues are the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, the Church of San Giovanni in Bragora, and the Cloister of San Francesco della Vigna. Full program and updates at vivaldifestival.org.
Venice is reachable by train to Santa Lucia station, by car to Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto (then by vaporetto), or by plane from Marco Polo Airport. Concert venues are accessible on foot or by ACTV vaporetto.
Churches and cloisters in the historic center of Venice (VE), from late June to late July. The main venues are the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute and the Church of San Giovanni in Bragora.
Many concerts in churches are free admission; for paid events, tickets are available through Vivaticket and other channels indicated on the official website. Info: +39 377 0918245.
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Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, Chiesa di San Giovanni in Bragora e altre sedi