Music festivals in Tuscany
Tuscany is rich in music festivals. There is a wide variety of them for all tastes – starting from rock and ending with classical music. Take a look at the list and listen to your heart – where would you like to go?
Lucca Summer Festival
The Italian town of Lucca annually hosts a very special event – Lucca Summer Festival. This festival has become one of the most important international events in the world music scene. It's a magical experience, with two weeks of incredible music performed in this wonderful setting. The festival was founded by Giacomo and Paolo Berti as long ago as 1998. Its main aim was to bring outstanding artists from all over the world to Tuscany. Over the years, some of the biggest names in international music have graced this stage – Bob Dylan, Sting, David Bowie, REM, Bruce Springsteen, Green Day, the Rolling Stones and many more.
The atmosphere at Lucca is unique. The concerts take place within a section of the old city walls that form a natural amphitheater. It usually is Piazza Napoleone and Piazza San Martino. The crowds are friendly and welcoming and there is always a real party mood each evening as people gather to hear some great music played by some truly amazing artists.
Firenze Rocks Festival
The country's biggest rock and indie festival, Firenze Rocks, takes place on the grounds of Visarno Arena, near the Stadio Artemio Franchi. The festival is organized in June and hosts both national and international artists and bands. Firenze Rocks has already attracted over 660,000 spectators from all over the world. The open-air festival stage is beloved by Guns N' Roses, Aerosmith, Eddie Vedder, Foo Fighters, Ozzy Osbourne, Iron Maiden, Tool, Smashing Pumpkins, Ed Sheeran, Muse and Placebo.
Imola Summer Music Academy and Festival
The International Academy Foundation of Imola 'Incontri con il Maestro' combines musical training with live concerts. The Summer Festival sees its full activity from 1 to 30 July: a month of very high musical training with 250 young Italian and foreign talents and over 30 internationally renowned teachers and artists. The Master Classes take place in the Foundation's classrooms located in the Rocca Sforzesca and in the Palazzo Monsignani. The masterclasses are animated by the teaching staff of the eight Academies of the Foundation: piano, violin, cello, viola, flute, guitar, chamber music, composition and conducting. They are open to internal and external students, giving young talents the opportunity to get to know the Imola Academy up close. The festival includes solo recitals, chamber concerts and short musical marathons.
Arena Opera Festival
The Verona Arena is a Roman amphitheater in Piazza Bra in Verona, Italy, which was built in 30 AD. It has a capacity of around 15 thousand people. It is still in use today and is internationally famous for the large-scale opera performances given there. The Arena di Verona Opera Festival is the most important event at the Verona Arena. It was first held in 1997 and has since become one of Italy's most popular music festivals attracting thousands of visitors each year from all over Europe. They come together to enjoy some fantastic live performances by famous singers such as Andrea Bocelli, Sting, Zucchero Fornaciari, Elton John and many others.
