Festival Respighi Bologna 2026, Italy

• septembre 21, 2026
  Date de l'événement :
• 21 octobre 2026
  Fin de l'événement :

À quoi s’attendre en 2026

Festival Respighi Bologna returns for its fifth edition as a city-wide classical music festival dedicated to the legacy of Ottorino Respighi and the musical world of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Rather than focusing exclusively on Respighi, the 2026 programme places his work alongside music by his contemporaries, creating a broader portrait of Italian and European musical culture. The festival is organised and directed by Fondazione Musica Insieme, with Maurizio Scardovi as artistic director.

The programme combines orchestral concerts, chamber music, opera and vocal performances, guided cultural experiences, musicological events and special projects. Performances take place in historic theatres, churches, concert halls, the monumental Certosa cemetery and other distinctive Bologna locations rather than at one conventional festival site.

The 2026 edition also places particular emphasis on Respighi’s artistic connections and contemporaries. Works by Stravinsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Schoenberg, Milhaud, Casella, Wolf-Ferrari and other composers appear alongside Respighi’s music.

Dates des événements

Festival Respighi Bologna 2026 runs from 21 September 2026 to 21 October 2026 for its main September-October programme. The festival’s wider 2026 programme also included presentation events earlier in the year, including a Piazza Maggiore concert in June.

The main festival period features a sequence of concerts and cultural events spread across Bologna and nearby Casalecchio di Reno, giving visitors the option to attend individual performances rather than needing a multi-day festival pass.

Vous visitez cet événement ? Ne manquez pas ces activités et expériences locales étonnantes pendant votre séjour.

Lieu et site du festival

Festival Respighi Bologna does not operate from a single festival site. The 2026 edition uses a network of historic and cultural venues across Bologna, with additional programming at Teatro Comunale Laura Betti in neighbouring Casalecchio di Reno.

Key venues include:

• Teatro Auditorium Manzoni — Via de’ Monari 1/2, Bologna
• Teatro del Baraccano — Via del Baraccano 2, 40125 Bologna
• Accademia Filarmonica – Sala Mozart — Via Guerrazzi 13, Bologna
• Oratorio di San Filippo Neri — Via Manzoni 5, 40121 Bologna
• Teatro Mazzacorati 1763, Villa Aldrovandi Mazzacorati — Via Toscana 19, 40141 Bologna
• Certosa di Bologna — Via Certosa 18, Bologna
• Teatro Duse — Via Cartoleria 42, 40124 Bologna
• Teatro Comunale Laura Betti di Casalecchio di Reno — Piazza del Popolo 1, 40033 Casalecchio di Reno
• Circolo della Caccia — Via Castiglione 25, Bologna
• Conservatorio G.B. Martini – Sala Bossi — Piazza Rossini 2, Bologna

Programmation complète

The confirmed 2026 programme includes a broad selection of orchestras, conductors, soloists, chamber musicians and vocal performers.

• Gianandrea Noseda with the Orchestra del Teatro Comunale di Bologna
• Orchestra del Baraccano
• Nikolina Janevska, mezzosoprano
• Giambattista Giocoli, conductor
• Veta Pilipenko, mezzosoprano
• Anna Toccafondi, piano
• Louise Guenter, soprano
• Hiroki Kono, tenor
• Giulia Iijima, piano
• Anastasia Fioravanti, piano
• I Solisti Aquilani
• Michele Campanella, piano
• Davide Trolton, conductor
• Gabriele Pierannunzi, violin
• Silvia Chiesa, cello
• Maurizio Baglini, piano
• Orchestra del Conservatorio G.B. Martini di Bologna
• Luciano Acocella, conductor
• Massimo Sgargi, arranger and conductor
• Banda Comunale di Casalecchio di Reno
• Gianluca Pellegrino, English horn
• Leonardo Mariotto, organ
• Matteo Messori, conductor
• Anton Berovski, violin
• Claudia D’Ippolito, piano
• Gabriele Duma, director

Têtes d’affiche et artistes invités

Gianandrea Noseda

The festival opens with Gianandrea Noseda conducting the Orchestra del Teatro Comunale di Bologna at Teatro Auditorium Manzoni. The programme brings together Stravinsky, Rimsky-Korsakov and Respighi, including music from Le baiser de la Fée, Capriccio spagnolo et La boutique fantasque.

I Solisti Aquilani

The ensemble appears with pianist Michele Campanella and conductor Davide Trolton. Their programme connects Respighi with Alfredo Casella and contemporary Italian repertoire.

La Generazione dell’Ottanta

This chamber programme features violinist Gabriele Pierannunzi, cellist Silvia Chiesa and pianist Maurizio Baglini, with music including Respighi’s Sonata in B minor and works by Ferruccio Busoni.

Respighi e la Russia

The Teatro Duse programme combines Respighi’s La pentola magica with Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, performed by the Orchestra del Conservatorio G.B. Martini di Bologna under Luciano Acocella.

Scènes et zones de spectacle

Because Festival Respighi Bologna is a distributed classical music festival, its “stages” are individual concert venues rather than festival tents or outdoor stages.

Main concert hall

Teatro Auditorium Manzoni hosts major orchestral performances, including the opening concert with Gianandrea Noseda and the Orchestra del Teatro Comunale di Bologna.

Historic chamber venues

Teatro del Baraccano, Sala Mozart at the Accademia Filarmonica and Oratorio di San Filippo Neri provide smaller settings for chamber music, vocal performances and specialist programmes.

Historic and cultural locations

The Certosa monumental cemetery and Villa Aldrovandi Mazzacorati add a cultural and architectural dimension to the programme, while Circolo della Caccia hosts the special Cena a Casa Respighi event.

Conservatory concert setting

The final concert takes place in Sala Bossi at the Conservatorio G.B. Martini, bringing the fifth edition to a close with the Orchestra del Teatro Comunale di Bologna.

Programme étape par étape

The 2026 programme is organised by venue and event:

• 21 September — Teatro Auditorium Manzoni: Gianandrea Noseda with the Orchestra del Teatro Comunale di Bologna.
• 25 September — Teatro del Baraccano: Sinfonico da Camera with the Orchestra del Baraccano.
• 27 September — Accademia Filarmonica, Sala Mozart: L’altra metà della musica, followed by Concerto in Sala Mozart.
• 29 September — Oratorio di San Filippo Neri: Respighi Elettrico.
• 1 October — Teatro Mazzacorati 1763: Sottovoce – La lirica italiana oltre il teatro.
• 3 October — Certosa di Bologna: Guided visit and concert with Banda Comunale di Casalecchio di Reno.
• 7 October — Teatro Auditorium Manzoni: I Solisti Aquilani with Michele Campanella and Davide Trolton.
• 12 October — Oratorio di San Filippo Neri: La Generazione dell’Ottanta.
• 14 October — Teatro Duse: Respighi e la Russia.
• 16 October — Teatro Laura Betti: Moudlin of Paplewick.
• 17 October — Circolo della Caccia: Cena a Casa Respighi.
• 21 October — Sala Bossi, Conservatorio G.B. Martini: Final concert of the fifth edition.

Temps de set

The published programme gives individual start times rather than a continuous festival schedule. Most evening concerts begin between 8:30 PM and 9:00 PM, while the special daytime programmes begin earlier.

Key published times include:

• 21 September: 8:30 PM
• 25 September: 8:30 PM
• 27 September: 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM
• 29 September: 8:30 PM
• 1 October: 21h00
• 3 October: 11:00 AM
• 7 October: 8:30 PM
• 12 October: 8:30 PM
• 14 October: 8:30 PM
• 16 October: 8:30 PM
• 17 October: 8:00 PM
• 21 October: 8:30 PM

Types de billets

Festival Respighi Bologna uses different ticket categories according to the venue and performance.

Published 2026 prices, converted from the official euro prices at approximately $1.148 per €1 based on the 18 September 2026 EUR/USD rate, include:

• Teatro Manzoni opening concert: approximately $69 standard, $57 reduced for Platea; approximately $46 standard and $34 reduced for Galleria; approximately $11 for Balconata.
• Teatro del Baraccano: approximately $17 standard, $11 reduced and $6 for Under 18.
• Accademia Filarmonica afternoon programme: free admission.
• Concerto in Sala Mozart: approximately $11.
• Oratorio San Filippo Neri: approximately $17 standard and $11 reduced.
• Teatro Mazzacorati 1763: approximately $17 standard and $11 reduced.
• Certosa: approximately $11.
• I Solisti Aquilani at Teatro Manzoni: approximately $69 for Platea I, $57 for Platea II, $48 for Galleria I, $43 for Galleria II and $11 for Balconata at standard rates.
• Teatro Duse: approximately $29 standard and $21 reduced.
• Teatro Laura Betti: approximately $29 standard and $21 reduced.
• Final concert at Sala Bossi: approximately $29 standard and $21 reduced.

The official ticket page notes that reduced prices are available for eligible groups and that the programme and ticket arrangements can be changed for technical or force-majeure reasons.

Options VIP et premium

Festival Respighi Bologna does not advertise a separate VIP festival pass or conventional VIP package for the 2026 edition.

The closest premium-style options are the better seating categories at Teatro Auditorium Manzoni, particularly Platea seating for the major orchestral concerts. Other performances use a single-seat category, while some cultural programmes are free.

For visitors seeking a more distinctive experience, the programme itself provides several special-format events, including the Certosa visit and concert and Cena a Casa Respighi, rather than a dedicated VIP hospitality package.

Règles de l’épreuve

Festival Respighi Bologna is presented across multiple theatres, churches, cultural institutions and historic venues, so individual venue rules can vary.

General attendance guidelines include:

• Arrive before the published concert start time.
• Bring a valid ticket or reservation confirmation where admission is ticketed.
• Suivez les instructions de placement du personnel du lieu.
• Gardez les téléphones portables silencieux pendant les représentations.
• Respect restrictions on photography, recording and video according to the individual venue.
• Check the specific venue’s entrance arrangements before attending.
• Allow additional time for historic venues such as the Certosa.

The official organisers also reserve the right to make programme, timing and date changes for technical or force-majeure reasons.

Comment y arriver

Bologna is a major transport hub in northern Italy and is served by Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport, Bologna Centrale railway station and extensive regional road connections.

For visitors arriving by train, Bologna Centrale is the main rail gateway and provides connections with major Italian cities. From the station, central venues such as Teatro Auditorium Manzoni, Teatro Duse and the Accademia Filarmonica can be reached using Bologna’s urban transport network or on foot depending on the venue.

For international visitors, Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport provides the main air connection. The airport is connected with the city by the Marconi Express people mover and local transport options.

Visitors travelling by car should check parking restrictions around each individual venue because the festival is distributed throughout the city rather than located at one large site.

Transports en commun et stationnement

Public transport is particularly useful for Festival Respighi Bologna because most venues are located within Bologna’s urban area.

Teatro Auditorium Manzoni is centrally located on Via de’ Monari, while Teatro Duse, Accademia Filarmonica and Oratorio di San Filippo Neri are also within the broader central Bologna area.

For the Certosa event, Teatro Laura Betti in Casalecchio di Reno and other locations outside the immediate historic centre, visitors should allow additional journey time.

Parking availability and restrictions vary by venue. For central performances, using public transport or parking outside the historic centre and continuing by bus is generally more practical than relying on street parking immediately beside the venue.

Zones d’hébergement

Centre-ville historique

Staying around Piazza Maggiore and the central historic district provides convenient access to several Festival Respighi venues, restaurants and Bologna’s main sightseeing areas.

University Quarter

The area around the University of Bologna offers a wide selection of hotels, guesthouses and apartments, with good access to the centre and evening dining.

Bologna Centrale

Accommodation around the main railway station is useful for visitors arriving by train and for those planning day trips beyond Bologna.

Santo Stefano and San Vitale

These central neighbourhoods provide access to venues such as the Accademia Filarmonica and Teatro Duse while offering a quieter alternative to the busiest parts of the historic centre.

Casalecchio di Reno

Visitors attending the Teatro Laura Betti programme may consider staying in Casalecchio or western Bologna, particularly if they plan to attend several events outside the historic centre.

Nourriture et boissons

Festival Respighi Bologna is closely integrated with the city’s established restaurant and café culture rather than operating a dedicated festival food village.

Central venues are surrounded by trattorias, osterias, cafés, bakeries and restaurants, making it easy to combine a concert with dinner or an aperitivo.

One programme item goes further by directly combining gastronomy and performance: Cena a Casa Respighi at Circolo della Caccia is presented as an evening of music, food and entertainment.

Visitors should allow enough time before evening concerts for dinner, particularly when attending performances with an 8:30 PM or 9:00 PM start.

Accessibilité

Accessibility arrangements depend on the individual venue because the festival takes place across theatres, churches, historic buildings and outdoor heritage locations.

Visitors with mobility requirements should contact the organiser before purchasing or attending a performance so that seating, entrance and access arrangements can be confirmed for the specific venue.

The festival’s official contact point is +39 051 271932 and info@festivalrespighi.it.

The Certosa programme and other historic-location events may require particular attention to walking distances, surfaces and access conditions.

Meilleurs jours à assister

21 September

The opening concert is a major orchestral event featuring Gianandrea Noseda and the Orchestra del Teatro Comunale di Bologna, with music by Stravinsky, Rimsky-Korsakov and Respighi.

27 September

This is a particularly varied festival day, combining the afternoon L’altra metà della musica programme with the evening Concerto in Sala Mozart. The afternoon programme is free, while the evening concert features Veta Pilipenko and Anna Toccafondi performing music by Ottorino and Elsa Respighi.

7 October

I Solisti Aquilani perform with pianist Michele Campanella and conductor Davide Trolton at Teatro Auditorium Manzoni, making this one of the programme’s major orchestral and chamber-focused evenings.

14 October

Respighi e la Russia combines Respighi with Russian repertoire at Teatro Duse and is suited to visitors interested in orchestral music and early-20th-century musical connections.

21 October

The closing concert at Sala Bossi concludes the fifth edition with the Orchestra del Teatro Comunale di Bologna and a programme connected to the 150th anniversary of Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari.

Faits marquants de l’année précédente

The festival’s 2025 edition continued its focus on Respighi alongside the composers and musical movements surrounding his career. Fondazione Musica Insieme maintains a dedicated 2025 festival publication in its archive, providing a reference point for the festival’s previous programme and development.

The 2026 edition expands the concept into a broad city-wide programme with orchestral concerts, chamber performances, vocal music, historical venues and cultural activities. It also marks the fifth edition of the festival and forms part of Bologna’s wider musical identity as a UNESCO Creative City of Music.

Billets officiels

Tickets are sold through the festival’s official ticketing arrangements, including Bologna Welcome and the Vivaticket network, with some performances offering direct or venue-specific arrangements. The official ticket information page also lists the available seating categories and reduced rates for eligible audiences.

Festival contact: +39 051 271932 | info@festivalrespighi.it

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