Mantova Jazz 2027, Mantua, Italy

• October 16, 2026
  Event date:
• November 26, 2026
  Event end:

Mantova Jazz returns for its 47th edition in 2027, continuing its distinguished tradition as one of Italy’s longest-running and most respected jazz festivals. Founded in 1981 and named after Roberto Chiozzini, the festival has brought the finest international jazz to the historic city of Mantua for over four decades. The 2027 edition promises another exceptional programme of concerts, masterclasses, and cultural encounters, set against the backdrop of Mantua’s Renaissance architecture and UNESCO World Heritage status.

What to expect in 2027

The 2027 edition of Mantova Jazz will continue the festival’s tradition of presenting world-class jazz in intimate and historically significant venues. The festival is defined by its curatorial rigor, its commitment to artistic excellence, and its ability to create meaningful encounters between international masters and the local community.

Attendees can expect a programme of evening concerts at the Teatro Bibiena and Auditorium Monteverdi, complemented by masterclasses, seminars, and educational initiatives. The festival’s thematic approach, with each edition organized around a central curatorial concept, ensures that the programming offers both depth and coherence, inviting audiences to explore the connections between artists and traditions.

The 2026 edition, titled “So What? Miles and Trane @100,” celebrated the centenaries of Miles Davis and John Coltrane through performances by artists who embody their exploratory spirit. The 2027 theme and full lineup will be announced in the coming months through the festival’s official channels.

Event dates

Mantova Jazz 2027 will take place from 16 October to 26 November 2027. This extended period follows the festival’s established format of presenting concerts across several weeks in the autumn, typically on Friday and Saturday evenings, with occasional additional dates.

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Venue & festival site

The festival’s primary venues are two of Mantua’s most prestigious cultural institutions:

Teatro Bibiena is the festival’s principal concert venue, located at Via Accademia 47 in the heart of Mantua’s historic centre. This magnificent 18th-century theatre, designed by Antonio Galli Bibiena, is renowned for its exceptional acoustics and stunning Baroque architecture. The theatre’s intimate scale creates an ideal environment for jazz performance, and its historic significance, including a performance by Mozart at the age of 14, adds a profound sense of occasion to every concert. The theatre reopened after restoration in 2025, and its beauty has been celebrated by artists and audiences alike.

Auditorium Monteverdi is located at Via Conciliazione 33, within the Conservatorio Lucio Campiani. This modern auditorium serves as the venue for select concerts and educational events, including masterclasses. Its contemporary facilities complement the historic atmosphere of the Teatro Bibiena, providing a versatile space for the festival’s diverse programming.

The Conservatorio Lucio Campiani serves as an educational partner, hosting masterclasses and workshops that connect the festival’s visiting artists with students and emerging musicians.

Full lineup

The full lineup for Mantova Jazz 2027 will be announced in the coming months. The festival’s programming is developed through a curatorial process that prioritizes artistic excellence and thematic coherence.

Based on the festival’s established curatorial approach and recent editions, attendees can anticipate a diverse roster spanning:

• American jazz masters, continuing the festival’s long-standing tradition of presenting leading figures from the United States
• European jazz excellence, showcasing significant artists from across the continent
• Latin American and Caribbean influences, reflecting jazz’s global dimensions
• Italian jazz, featuring the country’s most important contemporary practitioners
• Emerging talents, presented through educational initiatives and opening performances

Headliners & featured artists

Headline artists for 2027 will be announced as part of the full programme release. The festival has a distinguished history of presenting internationally significant artists. Recent editions have featured:

• Bill Stewart Trio with Larry Grenadier and Walter Smith III, presenting a tribute to the role of the saxophone in jazz evolution
• Marquis Hill Blacktet Revisited, featuring the acclaimed trumpeter with Braxton Cook, Joel Ross, Junius Paul, and Jonathan Pinson
• Miguel Zenon & Luis Perdomo, the celebrated saxophone-piano duo presenting their “El Arte Del Bolero” project
• Jeremy Pelt, the American trumpeter celebrating his 50th birthday with a quintet performance
• Ralph Alessi, the contemporary trumpet master, presenting a masterclass on silence as a linguistic element in improvisation
• Mauro Negri Quartet and Marcello Abate Trio, representing the best of Italian jazz in the “Made in MN” series
• Immanuel Wilkins, the acclaimed alto saxophonist, presenting his “Blues Blood” project
• Danilo Pérez, John Patitucci, and Adam Cruz Trio, the legendary trio with deep connections to Wayne Shorter
• Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Hamilton De Holanda, the Cuban pianist and Brazilian bandolim master
• Shai Maestro, the Israeli pianist known for his ECM recordings

Stages & performance areas

The festival operates a multi-venue structure across Mantua’s historic centre:

Teatro Bibiena is the main performance area, hosting the headline concerts at 21:00. The theatre’s platea (stalls) and palchi (boxes) offer distinct seating experiences, with the platea providing the most direct acoustic experience and the palchi offering privacy and elevated views. The theatre opens at 20:00 for evening concerts.

Auditorium Monteverdi hosts select concerts, masterclasses, and educational events. Its modern facilities provide a contrast to the historic Teatro Bibiena while maintaining high acoustic standards.

Stage-by-stage schedule

The full schedule for 2027 will be published closer to the event. Based on previous editions, the festival typically follows this structure:

Opening Concert

• Evening: Inaugural performance at Auditorium Monteverdi or Teatro Bibiena

Subsequent Evenings

• Concerts typically scheduled at 21:00, with theatre opening at 20:00
• Masterclasses scheduled during afternoon hours at Auditorium Monteverdi

Closing Concert

• Final performance, often featuring a “Made in MN” presentation of Italian jazz artists

Set times

Specific set times for 2027 will be announced with the full programme. Based on previous editions:

• Evening concerts: 21:00 start, with theatre opening at 20:00
• Masterclasses: Typically scheduled from 10:00 to 17:00 on designated days
• Educational events: Afternoon sessions, times to be confirmed

Ticket types

Ticket prices for 2027 have not yet been announced. The following prices are based on the 2026 edition and previous years, converted from euros to USD.

Single concert tickets (Teatro Bibiena):

• Platea (stalls): approximately $22
• Palchi (boxes): approximately $17

Season subscription (all concerts):

• Full abbonamento: approximately $88

Masterclass:

• Ralph Alessi masterclass: free entry

Previous edition pricing for reference:

• 2025 single tickets: approximately $22-$27 for platea, $17-$22 for palchi
• 2025 full subscription: approximately $88

Booking information: Tickets are available through VivaTicket (www.vivaticket.it) and at the venue on concert evenings from 19:00.

VIP & premium options

Mantova Jazz does not operate a formal VIP programme. The season subscription (abbonamento) represents the best value for attendees planning to attend multiple concerts. The Teatro Bibiena’s intimate scale ensures that all seats offer an excellent experience, with the platea (stalls) providing the most direct acoustic engagement and the palchi (boxes) offering a more private and elevated perspective.

Event rules

Attendees should be aware of the following policies:

• Concerts begin promptly at 21:00; latecomers may be admitted only during appropriate intervals
• Food and beverages are not permitted in the performance halls
• Mobile phones must be silenced during performances
• Photography and recording are not permitted during concerts
• The masterclass is free but may require advance registration
• Respectful behaviour is expected at all times

How to get there

Mantua is located in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, approximately 40 kilometres south of Verona and 130 kilometres east of Milan.

By air: The nearest airports are Verona Villafranca Airport (approximately 30 km) and Milan Bergamo Airport (approximately 100 km). From Verona, trains and buses connect to Mantua.

By train: Mantua railway station is served by regional and intercity trains, with connections to Verona, Milan, Modena, and other Italian cities. The station is approximately a 15-20 minute walk from the Teatro Bibiena.

By car: Mantua is accessible via the A22 autostrada (Brennero-Modena), exiting at Mantova Nord or Mantova Sud. The city centre has limited traffic zones, so parking outside the centre is advisable.

Public transport & parking

Mantua has a local bus network operated by APAM, with services connecting the railway station to the historic centre. The city is compact and walkable, with most festival venues within easy walking distance of each other.

Parking is available in designated areas around the historic centre, including Parcheggio Campo Canoa and Parcheggio Piazzale Montelungo. Public parking costs approximately $11 per day. Attendees driving to the festival should use peripheral parking and walk or use local buses to reach the venues.

Accommodation areas

Historic Centre: The most convenient area for festival attendees, with numerous hotels, B&Bs, and apartments within walking distance of the Teatro Bibiena. The area around Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza Sordello offers the widest range of options.

Scaravelli Residenza is a boutique hotel located in Piazza delle Erbe, just 267 metres from the Teatro Bibiena. Housed in a 16th-century building, it offers elegant rooms with views of the piazza and a restaurant serving Mantuan cuisine with jazz background music.

Hotel Italia is a three-star hotel located in the centre of Mantua, approximately 1.4 kilometres from the Teatro Bibiena. It offers comfortable rooms with air conditioning and a buffet breakfast.

Nearby areas: Hotels near the railway station offer convenient access for train travellers, while accommodations in the surrounding countryside provide a quieter retreat within driving distance of the city.

Food & drink

Mantua is renowned for its gastronomic traditions, and the festival period offers an excellent opportunity to explore the city’s culinary heritage.

Local specialties include:

• Cotechino with purè and mostarda at Antica Trattoria Cento Rampini
• Pike from Lake Garda at Ristorante Lo Scalco Grasso
• Traditional Mantuan cuisine at Scaravelli restaurant, which serves local dishes with jazz background music
• Piazza delle Erbe offers a vibrant market atmosphere and numerous cafes and restaurants

The festival area does not include food service, but attendees are encouraged to dine at Mantua’s excellent restaurants before concerts. The city’s compact centre means that dining options are within easy walking distance of the venues.

Accessibility

The Teatro Bibiena and Auditorium Monteverdi are historic buildings with varying levels of accessibility. Attendees with specific accessibility requirements are advised to contact the festival directly to inquire about accommodations at specific venues and events.

The festival has previously indicated that persons with disability cards may be entitled to free entry to certain events. Advance notice is recommended for wheelchair users and attendees requiring assistance.

Best days to attend

The optimal days to attend depend on individual preferences:

• For the fullest experience: Attend multiple concerts across the festival period to appreciate the thematic programming
• For major international artists: Concerts featuring American and international headliners are typically scheduled on weekends
• For educational opportunities: Masterclasses and seminars offer deeper engagement with the music and artists
• For Italian jazz: The “Made in MN” closing concert showcases the best of domestic talent
• For first-time attendees: The Teatro Bibiena experience is unmissable, regardless of the specific programme

Previous year’s highlights

The 2026 edition of Mantova Jazz, the 46th in the festival’s history, was titled “So What? Miles and Trane @100,” celebrating the centenaries of Miles Davis and John Coltrane. The edition featured performances by the Bill Stewart Trio with Larry Grenadier and Walter Smith III, Marquis Hill Blacktet Revisited, Miguel Zenon & Luis Perdomo, and Jeremy Pelt celebrating his 50th birthday. Ralph Alessi presented a free masterclass on the theme of silence as a fundamental linguistic element of creation, in collaboration with the School for Improvisational Music in New York.

The 2025 edition, titled “Swingin’ for Peace,” featured Immanuel Wilkins presenting his acclaimed “Blues Blood” project to a sold-out audience at Auditorium Monteverdi, Danilo Pérez with John Patitucci and Adam Cruz at Teatro Bibiena, Gonzalo Rubalcaba with Hamilton De Holanda, and Shai Maestro in a solo piano performance. The edition was praised for its artistic quality and the return of concerts to the newly restored Teatro Bibiena, whose beauty inspired exceptional performances from the artists.

Official tickets

Tickets for Mantova Jazz 2027 will be available through the festival’s official channels. Based on previous editions, tickets typically go on sale in September or October.

Official ticket channels include:

• Online: VivaTicket (www.vivaticket.it)
• VivaTicket points of sale throughout Italy
• On concert evenings: Venue box office opens from 19:00

For general inquiries:

• Website: www.mantovajazz.it
• Email: info@mantovajazz.it
• Phone: +39 348 007 2215

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