Florence is the city which over 400 years ago saw the birth of opera.

Its musical tradition continues with performances for lovers of opera, of classical music and of the latest in rock’n’roll.

Please remember that on this website you can find all news about music and prose events going on in Florence and surroundings: just check the section Events.

Florence is the city which over 400 years ago saw the birth of opera.
Its musical tradition continues with performances for lovers of opera, of classical music and of the latest in rock’n’roll.

The cultural scene also includes offers entertainment from numerous theatres with tempting programmes of drama, ballet and cabaret. And during the summer there will be open air performances in less conventional venues.

Outstanding among the many institutions of national and international repute is the Theatre of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, with the celebrated festival of that name founded way back in 1933.
The music and opera season, which lasts from October to April, is followed from the end of April to early July by the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, a festival which attracts conductors and musicians from all over the world.

Still on the classical music front, the Teatro Verdi in Florence is the headquarters of the Orchestra della Toscana, a permanent ensemble which ever since 1980 has been giving concerts under the direction of conductors of undisputed talent.

The Florentine musical scene is very lively.
Among the many groups and associations for the study and promotion of classical music we mention the Accademia Bartolomeo Cristofori, the Accademia Musicale di Firenze, and the Accademia San Felice as well as A.GI.MUS Amici della Musica Conservatorio Luigi Cherubini Florence Symphonietta G.A.M.O L'Homme Armé Lyceum Nuovi Eventi Musicali Orchestra da Camera Fiorentina Tempo Reale, Flamensemble..

An important institution situated on the lovely hills surrounding Florence is the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole, which arranges concerts throughout the year, in addition to the New Year Concert every year on 1 January.

The Florentine scene is not lacking in rock, pop and ethnic music, as well as jazz and blues, with many gatherings, concerts and venues devoted to them. We make special mention of the Mandela Forum, the Saschalland the Viper Club for rock concerts, the Auditorium FLOG for avant-garde music and for the annual event of Musica dei Popoli .

On the jazz front there are interesting events organized by Musicus Concentus at the Sala Vanni and Pinocchio Jazz at the Circolo Vie Nuove.
There are also numerous places in central Florence where live jazz may be heard.

The summer is in any case crammed with events, what with the “estate fiorentina” and the “estate fiesolana”, where concerts by Italian and international artists may often be heard free of charge.

 The Estate fiesolana, in particular, sets aside dates in its programme for both classical music and jazz.

Serious drama finds its worthy accommodation at the historic Teatro della Pergola, of 17th century origin. The stage is fairly shared between the lighter genres of musical comedy and operetta at the Teatro Verdi, between cabaret and the young comedians of the Teatro Puccini, between the productions of the Pupi and Fresedde companies at the Teatro di Rifredi and those of Elsinor at the Teatro Cantiere Florida.

Numerous Italian companies also take turns on the stage of the little Teatro Le Laudi. The newest on the scene are those of the Teatro del Sale, a restaurant with entertainment, and the reborn Teatro dell'Affratellamento.
Taking place at the Teatro della Limonaia in Sesto Fiorentino, just next door to Florence, is the Intercity Festival, which travels from town to town throughout Europe and the rest of the world, offering absolutely avant-garde works and companies of players.

Information on programmes, productions and festivals may also be obtained from the Teatrionline Magazine, distributed gratis in the theatres and on the website of the same name www.teatrionline.com