by InTrieste
As summer winds down, Trieste keeps its cultural flame alive with “Trieste Estate,” a sweeping festival offering an eclectic mix of music, theater, and cinema. Running through September 25, this year’s edition is a vibrant celebration of the arts, with events spanning from classical music concerts to theatrical tributes and meetings with international figures, making the week of September 2 to 8 a particularly exciting chapter.
The centerpiece of the week is the “Trieste Festival – The Lighthouse of Music,” a 12-day classical music festival that boasts performances from internationally acclaimed musicians. The festival opens with a concert by LaFil, the Milan Philharmonic, who will perform works by Mozart, Vivaldi, and Piazzolla in the city’s iconic Piazza Unità. Perhaps most notably, world-renowned pianist Alexander Melnikov, celebrated for his masterful interpretations of Mozart, will take the stage at Trieste’s Teatro Verdi on September 7 for a highly anticipated performance.
Yet Trieste Estate is more than a classical music festival. Reflecting the city’s diverse cultural heritage, the festival also hosts theatrical performances that explore Italy’s rich history and social struggles. Among them is “I Will Give You a Rose … The War for Freedom,” a play centered on the life of Franco Basaglia, the revolutionary Italian psychiatrist known for his fight for mental health reform. Another theatrical highlight is a tribute to the legendary actress Eleonora Duse, in a performance written and directed by Isabel Russinova.
For those more inclined towards sports, the festival takes an unexpected turn into the world of basketball. Dan Peterson, a storied figure in both Italian and American sports, will take the stage on September 6. Known for his dual career as a TV commentator and Hall of Fame basketball coach, Peterson will discuss his legacy alongside Massimiliano Finazzer Flory, paying homage to fellow Trieste-born sports icon Cesare Rubini, the first Italian inducted into the prestigious Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
“Trieste Estate has always been about creating a mosaic of experiences,” said Gabriele Centis, artistic director of the music program, who has helped shape the festival into one of Italy’s most diverse cultural offerings. “Whether it’s Mozart or marionettes, basketball or Basaglia, there’s something for everyone.”
The festival will also cater to younger audiences, with a series of outdoor concerts featuring youth bands like The SeaSons and Southern Trip, bringing hard rock and blues to the garden of the Sartorio Museum. Meanwhile, for those who enjoy cinema under the stars, Trieste’s Public Garden de’ Tommasini will screen classics such as “Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion” and a tribute to Marcello Mastroianni on the centenary of his birth.
For more information and a full calendar of events, visit www.triestestate.it.
