by InTrieste
As summer wanes and the days grow shorter, Trieste’s annual summer festival, Trieste Estate, is preparing for a grand finale. The festival’s highlight during the week of September 9 to 15 will be the Trieste Festival – The Lighthouse of Music, an eclectic celebration of classical, chamber, symphonic, and jazz music, curated by the prestigious Società dei Concerti. A diverse lineup of world-class performances is set to sweep through the city, promising audiences an unforgettable farewell to the season.
The festival takes its inspiration from the region’s nautical heritage and enduring connection to the sea, with performances that span genres and capture the imagination. Among the headlining events is a captivating “Concert on the Sea” by the internationally acclaimed cellist and composer Giovanni Sollima, set against the backdrop of the picturesque San Giusto Basin. The concert, scheduled for September 14, will see the renowned musician performing a surprise program that includes works by Bach and original compositions in a unique maritime setting that echoes Trieste’s historic relationship with the Adriatic.
A Week of Musical Excellence
The week will open on Monday, September 9, with a charming children’s performance, The Story of a Starfish, at the Casa della Musica Auditorium. This whimsical show blends music, narration, and imaginative pop-up scenography to tell the tale of a starfish on an adventurous journey. The evening will shift to the Verdi Theater, where Albrecht Mayer, principal oboist of the Berlin Philharmonic, and Andreas Ottensamer, principal clarinetist of the same orchestra, will join forces with LaFil, the Milan Philharmonic, for a performance of works by Mozart, Mendelssohn, and Lebrun.
On September 10, the festival’s family-friendly offerings continue with The Music of the Gnome Mirtillo, another children’s event combining flute, saxophone, and percussion. That evening, the Politeama Rossetti will host a contemporary dance production titled Chopin into Us. Burning, offering an emotional exploration of Chopin’s music through movement.
Chamber music enthusiasts will be treated to a wealth of performances on September 11, including a concert by the Trio Ives—featuring violin, cello, and piano—at the RAI Auditorium, where they will play works by Beethoven and Charles Ives. Simultaneously, the New Era Quartet will perform Schubert and Beethoven in the City Council Chamber. The day will also feature jazz, with two ambitious concerts: one at the Tartini Conservatory titled Jazz in the World, linking Trieste, Vilnius, and Vienna through real-time digital technology, and another at the iconic Antico Caffè San Marco, showcasing the sultry voice of Christel De Candia.
As the festival continues, Miramare Castle will open its doors on September 12 for an enchanting evening of chamber music with the Golberg Quartet, joined by violist Simone Gramaglia and cellist Kyril Zlotnikov, performing works by Puccini and Schönberg. The following night, Dances Beyond Time will take the stage at the Verdi Theater, featuring rising dance star Giacomo Calabrese, alongside the Sonoro Quartet, a leading ensemble in Europe’s classical music scene.
A Fitting Finale
The weekend promises to be a fitting climax to the festival, with Giovanni Sollima returning on Sunday, September 15, for a second performance at the Verdi Theater, where he will conduct and play with the theater’s orchestra. The program will feature a mix of his original compositions and works by Haydn, a synthesis of old and new, local and international—perfectly encapsulating the spirit of Trieste Estate.
Now in its final weeks, Trieste Estate has proven once again that it is one of Italy’s most vibrant cultural festivals, providing the city with a rich tapestry of artistic events. With artistic direction led by Gabriele Centis for music and Lino Marrazzo for theater, the festival’s offerings span everything from classical concerts to jazz sessions, children’s performances, and cutting-edge dance.
Supported by the Municipality of Trieste, in collaboration with PromoTurismoFVG and the Trieste Convention & Visitors Bureau, Trieste Estate has brought a renewed energy to the city this summer. As the Lighthouse of Music shines its final rays over the Adriatic, Trieste’s residents and visitors alike will be left with memories of an extraordinary season of sound and spectacle.
For more information on the complete schedule of events, visit www.triestestate.it.
