Festival del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
The Festival del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino is one of Italy's oldest and most prestigious music festivals. Founded in 1933 in Florence, it's a major international event focused primarily on opera and classical music performances. The festival typically takes place annually during spring and early summer months (particularly May, hence the name "Maggio" which means May in Italian).
The festival features opera productions, symphonic concerts, chamber music performances, and ballet. It has historically attracted renowned conductors, musicians, and opera singers from around the world. The performances often take place in Florence's historic venues, including the Teatro Comunale di Firenze (which was later renamed Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino).
What makes this festival particularly special is its commitment to not only performing well-known classical works but also reviving forgotten or rarely performed compositions and premiering new works. Over the decades, it has established itself as a culturally significant event that celebrates Italy's rich musical heritage while embracing innovation in classical music performance.
The 88th Festival del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino is scheduled to run from April to June 2026, with many operas and concerts. Here is the schedule:
88th Edition
Maggio Musicale Fiorentino 2026
April
| Apr 19–26 | Opera |
The Death of Klinghoffer
John Adams
Maggio Aperto — performance Apr 23
|
| Apr 29 | Concert |
Mahler — Das Lied von der Erde
Thomas Guggeis, conductor
|
May
| May 3 | Concert |
Beethoven — Symphony No. 9
On the occasion of maestro Zubin Mehta’s 90th birthday
|
| May 12–24 | Opera |
Un ballo in maschera
Giuseppe Verdi
|
| May 16 | Concert |
Mahler — Symphony No. 5
Myung-Whun Chung, conductor
|
| May 23 | Concert |
Rimsky-Korsakov — Shéhérazade
Dmitry Sinkovski, conductor & violin
|
| May 24 | Concert |
Shostakovich — Symphony No. 5
Antonio Pappano, conductor · Alexander Lonquich, piano
|
| May 28 | Concert |
Beethoven & Bruckner
Philippe Jordan, conductor · Jan Lisiecki, piano
|
June
| Jun 6 | Concert |
Tchaikovsky & Rachmaninov
Asmik Grigorian, soprano
|
| Jun 9 | Concert |
Beethoven, Mendelssohn & Schubert
Diego Ceretta, conductor
|
| Jun 14–25 | Opera |
Giulio Cesare in Egitto
Georg Friedrich Händel
|
| Jun 16 | Concert |
Verdi & Liszt
Francesco Meli, tenor · Luca Salsi, baritone
|
| Jun 18 | Concert |
Beethoven — Symphonies Nos. 1, 4 & 7
Daniele Gatti, conductor
|
| Jun 23 | Concert |
Beethoven — Symphonies Nos. 5 & 6
Daniele Gatti, conductor
|
| Jun 28 | Concert |
Beethoven — Symphonies Nos. 2 & 3
Daniele Gatti, conductor
|
July
| Jul 1 | Concert |
Beethoven — Symphonies Nos. 8 & 9
Daniele Gatti, conductor
|
Here is the location of the theater:
Comments:
By Anthony Finta, last updated:
What's New?
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Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina
Apr 6, 2026
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Mark Rothko at Palazzo Strozzi
Apr 2, 2026
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Florence American Cemetery and Memorial
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Trattoria Vasari
Apr 1, 2026
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La Reggia degli Etruschi
Apr 1, 2026
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Bistrot al 5
Apr 1, 2026
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Osteria di Rocco
Apr 1, 2026
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Terrazze Michelangelo
Mar 31, 2026
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Fuori Porta
Mar 28, 2026
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