The 2027 edition of the Rossini Opera Festival, the 48th in the festival’s history, will present a programme anchored by two major new productions and a revival of an acclaimed staging from recent years. The festival continues its tradition of presenting Rossini’s works in productions that range from historically informed to boldly reimagined, performed by a mixture of established international stars and emerging talents.
Attendees can expect a festival that balances the grandeur of opera with the intimacy of Pesaro’s venues. The Auditorium Scavolini and Teatro Rossini serve as the primary performance spaces, with additional events and recitals taking place across the city. The programming typically includes not only mainstage operas but also bel canto concerts, lirico-symphonic concerts, and performances by young artists from the Accademia Rossiniana, offering a comprehensive immersion in Rossini’s musical world.
The 2027 programme was announced during the ROF Talks in August 2026, revealing a season that opens with La donna del lago in a new production by Johannes Erath, followed by a revival of Rosetta Cucchi’s staging of Adina, and concluding with a new production of Tancredi directed by Paul Curran. The festival will close with the Petite messe solennelle conducted by Francesco Lanzillotta.
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The Rossini Opera Festival 2027 is scheduled to take place from 12 to 24 August 2027. This thirteen-day period encompasses the full programme of mainstage operas, concerts, and auxiliary events that constitute the festival experience. The festival traditionally opens with the first performance of its opening production and concludes with a final concert, with performances spaced across the intervening days to allow attendees to experience multiple works during their visit.
The festival’s venues are integral to its character, offering acoustics and atmospheres that range from the classical elegance of a historic theatre to the modern functionality of a contemporary auditorium.
Teatro Rossini is the festival’s spiritual home, located at Piazza Lazzarini 1. This historic theatre, which also houses the festival’s box office, provides an intimate setting for staged operas and recitals. Its traditional horseshoe-shaped auditorium offers excellent sightlines and a warm, resonant acoustic ideally suited to the bel canto repertoire. The Teatro Rossini has been central to the festival’s history since its inception.
Auditorium Scavolini is a modern performance space located at Viale dei Partigiani 22. It serves as the site for the festival’s larger-scale productions, offering the technical infrastructure required for ambitious stagings while maintaining the acoustic quality essential for Rossini’s demanding vocal writing. The auditorium is located approximately 100 metres from Largo Aldo Moro and is easily accessible from the city centre.
Museo Nazionale Rossini (Palazzo Montani Antaldi) at Via Passeri 72 is the third official festival venue, hosting smaller-scale events, talks, and exhibitions connected to the festival’s educational and scholarly activities. The museum serves as a cultural hub throughout the festival period.
Piazza del Popolo serves as a central gathering point and occasional performance location, bringing the festival into the heart of Pesaro’s civic life. Additional venues may be utilized for special events and concerts associated with the festival programme.
The 2027 programme comprises three staged operas and a closing concert, offering a balanced exploration of Rossini’s dramatic output. The festival opens with La donna del lago, a work that showcases Rossini’s mastery of the melodramma and his innovative orchestration. The revival of Adina brings back a staging that was first presented in 2018, allowing audiences to revisit or discover a work that represents Rossini’s later style. The new production of Tancredi, one of Rossini’s most celebrated serious operas, closes the mainstage programme before the festival concludes with the Petite messe solennelle, a work that bridges Rossini’s operatic and sacred composition styles.
La donna del lago opens the festival in a new production conducted by François Lopez-Ferrer and directed by Johannes Erath. Erath returns to Pesaro following his 2024 production of Ermione, which won the Abbiati Prize for Best Production of the Year. La donna del lago, based on Sir Walter Scott’s narrative poem The Lady of the Lake, is one of Rossini’s most lyrical and atmospheric scores, featuring the celebrated aria “Tanti affetti” and showcasing his ability to evoke the Scottish Highlands through orchestral color.
Adina is presented in a revival of Rosetta Cucchi’s 2018 staging, conducted by George Petrou. This one-act farsa, first performed in 1826, represents Rossini’s later operatic style and contains some of his most charming and concise musical writing. The revival allows audiences to experience Cucchi’s interpretation, which was well-received when first presented.
Tancredi is a new production conducted by Yves Abel and directed by Paul Curran, making his Festival debut. This opera, based on Voltaire’s tragedy, is one of Rossini’s most significant serious works, containing the famous aria “Di tanti palpiti” which became one of the most popular melodies of the 19th century. Curran’s staging promises a fresh perspective on this cornerstone of the Rossini repertoire.
Petite messe solennelle concludes the festival, conducted by Francesco Lanzillotta. This work, composed late in Rossini’s life, is a testament to his enduring creativity and spiritual depth, blending operatic lyricism with sacred solemnity.
The festival presents a mixture of fully staged operas, concert performances, and recitals. The three mainstage operas receive multiple performances across the festival period, allowing attendees flexibility in scheduling. Additionally, the festival typically includes Concerti di Belcanto, featuring soloists in operatic excerpts, and Concerti Lirico-sinfonici, offering orchestral and vocal works in concert format. The Accademia Rossiniana, the festival’s young artist programme, presents its own production, often Il viaggio a Reims, providing opportunities to hear the next generation of Rossini interpreters.
The 2027 performance schedule spans from 12 to 24 August, with the opening performance of La donna del lago marking the festival’s commencement on 12 August. Subsequent performances of the three operas are distributed across the festival period, typically with each production receiving three to four performances. The final event, the Petite messe solennelle, is scheduled for the closing date of 24 August. Detailed performance dates and times are published on the festival’s official website and are subject to confirmation closer to the event.
The Rossini Opera Festival offers several ticket categories to accommodate different preferences and budgets. Prices below are based on previous editions and should be confirmed when 2027 tickets are released.
Single tickets for individual performances are available at various price points depending on the venue, seating category, and whether the performance is a premiere or a subsequent showing. Prices for mainstage operas typically range from approximately $35 for the most economical seats to $270 or more for premium central box seats.
Subscription packages offer savings for attendees planning to see multiple operas. Full subscriptions covering all mainstage productions represent the best value for dedicated festival-goers, while partial subscriptions for two or three operas provide flexibility.
Student tickets are available at significantly reduced rates. The Easy ROF programme offers conservatory students the opportunity to attend four performances of their choice for approximately $110, including complimentary programmes.
Individual performance tickets for bel canto concerts and other auxiliary events are typically priced lower than mainstage operas, ranging from approximately $15 to $55.
Tickets for the Rossini Opera Festival typically go on sale in the spring preceding the festival, with priority booking for members and subscribers opening first, followed by general public sales. The box office is located at the Teatro Rossini, Piazza Lazzarini 1, Pesaro. Online booking is available through the festival’s official website. Given the festival’s international reputation and the limited capacity of its venues, early booking is strongly recommended, particularly for premium seating and for the opening and closing performances.
The festival does not operate a formal VIP programme with hospitality packages. However, premium seating categories in the central boxes and front rows of the Teatro Rossini and in the best positions of the Auditorium Scavolini offer an elevated experience with superior sightlines and acoustics. These seats are priced accordingly and are in highest demand. Subscribers to full festival packages may receive priority access to premium seating.
Attendees should observe standard opera house etiquette, including arriving before the performance begins and refraining from photography or recording during performances. Latecomers may be admitted only during appropriate intervals. Mobile phones must be silenced. Food and beverages are not permitted in the auditoriums. Specific policies regarding cloakroom facilities and dress code, though formal attire is not required, smart casual is appreciated in keeping with the occasion.
Pesaro is accessible by air, rail, and road, making it convenient for both Italian and international visitors.
Par avion : The nearest airports are Falconara Marittima (Ancona) at approximately 45 kilometres and Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport, which offers broader international connections. Rimini’s airport is also within reasonable distance.
Par train : Pesaro is served by the Milano-Bologna-Pesaro-Bari line, the Roma-Falconara-Pesaro line, and the Rimini-Pesaro line. High-speed services connect to major Italian cities. The railway station is located in Piazzale Falcone Borsellino, approximately 5 minutes on foot from the historic centre and Teatro Rossini, and 10 to 15 minutes from other festival venues.
En voiture : Take the A14 autostrada and exit at Pesaro-Urbino. Follow signs for the city centre. Note that the historic centre has limited traffic zones, so parking outside the centre and walking or using public transport is advisable.
Pesaro has a network of buses operated by Adriabus, with a bus station immediately outside the railway station. Free shuttle services connect peripheral car parks to the historic centre, departing from Parcheggio S. Decenzio and Parcheggio Via dell’Acquedotto. Pesaro is also known for its extensive network of bicycle paths, making cycling a viable option for reaching venues. The city’s compact size means that most festival locations are within walking distance of each other and of the main hotel district.
The centro-mare area is the most requested zone for festival attendees, offering proximity to both the beach and the historic centre. The area around Bologna Centrale station equivalent, meaning the Pesaro railway station, provides convenient access for train travellers. Hotels in the historic centre offer the closest proximity to Teatro Rossini and the main festival venues. Note that accommodation demand is high during the festival period, with prices reflecting dynamic pricing models, and early booking is essential.
Pesaro offers a range of dining options from traditional trattorias to contemporary restaurants. The city is known for its Adriatic seafood, and local specialties include passatelli with fish ragù and brodetto. Enoteca Passeri and Opera, a contemporary trattoria near the Conservatorio Rossini, are among the establishments that have been recommended by festival attendees. The centro storico has numerous bars and cafes for aperitivo before performances, and the beachfront area offers dining with sea views.
The Rossini Opera Festival has implemented accessibility initiatives in collaboration with the Unione Italiana dei Ciechi e degli Ipovedenti. Selected performances feature audio introductions and inserts delivered through radio headsets, allowing visually impaired attendees to follow the visual elements of the production, including scenery, costumes, and non-sung action. This service is provided for designated performances each season. Attendees with specific accessibility requirements should contact the festival directly at rof@rossinioperafestival.it or +39 0721 38001 to inquire about accommodations at specific venues and events.
The optimal performances depend on individual preferences and scheduling constraints. The opening night of La donna del lago offers the excitement of a festival premiere with the full company present. For those seeking to experience all three operas, mid-festival dates allow for a comprehensive immersion. The closing performance of the Petite messe solennelle provides a contemplative conclusion to the festival experience. Attendees with limited time may prioritize the new production of Tancredi, as it represents a rare opportunity to see one of Rossini’s most important serious operas in a fresh staging. The revival of Adina offers a chance to experience a lesser-known work in an acclaimed production. For bel canto enthusiasts, the Concerti di Belcanto provide opportunities to hear Rossini’s vocal writing in concentrated form.
Travelers can easily reach Pesaro via the national railway network connecting directly along the Adriatic coast or by flying into nearby international airports like Bologna or Ancona. Local buses and taxis then provide seamless transit to hotels and performance venues across the city center.
All staged operas and vocal concerts feature clear, synchronized electronic surtitles projected in both Italian and English to help audiences follow the narrative libretto. Additional translations for select international languages are occasionally available depending on the specific production requirements.
Evening opera performances at Teatro Rossini and the Vitrifrigo Arena typically call for elegant or formal attire, with many patrons opting for evening gowns and sharp suits. Smart casual wear is generally acceptable for daytime symphonic concerts and academic lectures held across the city.
All primary festival venues are equipped with designated wheelchair spaces, accessible restrooms, and smooth ramps to accommodate patrons with specific mobility requirements. Guests should notify the ticketing office in advance to secure optimal seating placement and personalized entry assistance.
Official merchandise stands, specialized bookshops, and recording kiosks are set up near the primary venues offering programs, librettos, and exclusive audio-visual items. Visitors can also purchase curated CDs, critical edition scores, and branded festival memorabilia directly through the official website.
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