by InTrieste
From the resonant echoes of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony to the vibrant tributes to pop icons Elton John and Michael Jackson, Trieste’s summer festival promises a week brimming with diverse and captivating performances. Spanning from July 15 to 21, the city’s historic and contemporary venues will be alive with music, theater, and cinema, offering a cultural feast for residents and visitors alike.
A Symphony Among the Ruins
The majestic San Giusto Castle will serve as the backdrop for two monumental concert productions by the Verdi Theater. On Thursday, July 18, the orchestra, under the baton of Alessandro D’Agostini, will present Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. This seminal piece, an anthem of European unity and cultural heritage, continues to resonate deeply across generations. Then, on Sunday, July 21, the castle will host Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana,” conducted by Maestro Giuseppe Grazioli. This 20th-century masterpiece, inspired by medieval poetry, bridges the old and the new, appealing to audiences from classical music aficionados to fans of epic fantasy soundscapes.
Operettas and Jazz Echo Through the City
The “Operetta Festival” returns with Oscar Straus’s “A Waltz Dream” on Tuesday, July 16, and a scenic concert version of Franz Lehár’s iconic “The Merry Widow” on Saturday, July 20. Both performances will take place at San Giusto Castle and the Verdi Theater, enchanting audiences with their timeless melodies and romantic charm.
Jazz enthusiasts will find delight in the “Triestelovesjazz” festival, featuring performances at the Sartorio Museum garden. On Thursday, July 18, the Luttazzi Legacy Trio will pay homage to Trieste’s own Lelio Luttazzi, with Manuel Magrini on piano, Massimo Moriconi on bass, and Giovanni Colasanti on percussion. The jazz celebration continues on Saturday, July 20, with “Songs for a Desert Island” by saxophonist Marco Castelli and pianist Marco Ponchiroli, followed by Alba&Leo&Co, a quintet featuring vocalist Alba Nacinovich and guitarist Leo Škec. The festival will culminate on Sunday, July 21, with “Moonwalk Duet – A piano tribute to Michael Jackson” and “Rhythm and Brahms,” a jazz reinterpretation of the German composer’s works.
Tributes to Pop Icons and Cultural Heritage
Piazza Verdi will host a variety of performances, including a high-energy interactive concert by the Etno HistEria World Orchestra on Monday, July 15, and the rhythmic Afro-Latin and jazz improvisations of Lapeka on Friday, July 19. A special tribute to Elton John, “The Elton Show,” will take place on Saturday, July 20, celebrating the legendary musician’s extensive catalog of hits.
Shakespearean Drama and Cinematic Delights
Theater lovers will be treated to an innovative staging of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” on Friday, July 19, at the Sartorio Museum garden. Directed by Riccardo Mallus, this production promises a unique blend of fantasy, horror, and dark comedy, enhanced by live musical accompaniment. Simultaneously, the Teatro dei Fabbri will host “Stories of Us,” a poignant recounting of the days between the Capaci and Via D’Amelio massacres, directed and performed by Giuseppe Provinzano.
The “Cinema Garden” film festival at the Public Garden continues throughout the week, showcasing critically acclaimed films such as Yorgos Lanthimos’s “Poor Creatures” on Monday, July 15, Woody Allen’s “Coup de Chance” on Saturday, July 20, and the Manetti Bros’ “Diabolik, Who Are You?” on Sunday, July 21.
Bringing Culture to Every Corner
The “Trieste Summer Fuoricentro” initiative ensures that cultural events reach all corners of the city. On Friday, July 19, the San Giovanni Oratory will feature the City of Muggia Wind Orchestra and Crampi Elisi. Over the weekend, Piazza Perugino will host a series of performances and workshops, including a tribute to punk band Blink 182 by Dick Lips on Saturday, July 20, celebrating the 25th anniversary of their album “Enema of the State.”
For further details and the complete program, visit www.triestestate.it.
