The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Theatre: the season program

The best operas and concerts to mark in your diary until January 2026

The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Season: Unmissable Operas and World-Class Symphonic Concerts Through January 2026
Mark your calendars for all the events you won’t want to miss.

2026

The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino brings Tosca back to the stage, one of the absolute masterpieces of the Puccini repertoire, in a production directed by Massimo Popolizio. The set design is by Margherita Palli, with costumes by Silvia Aymonino and lighting designed by Pasquale Mari. Following its opening performance in the Sala Grande on Sunday, 11 January at 5 pm, the opera will be repeated on 13, 15 and 16 January at 8 pm, 17 January at 5 pm, and 18 January at 3:30 pm. On the podium of the Orchestra del Maggio, alongside the Maggio Chorus prepared by Lorenzo Fratini and the Children’s Chorus trained by Sara Matteucci, will be Michele Gamba.

Next is the famed double bill of Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo and Cavalleria rusticana by Pietro Mascagni, beginning February 22 with three subsequent performances. This co-production with Dutch National Opera is directed by Robert Carsen.

A new double bill premieres on March 14 (with three performances): Bluebeard’s Castle by Béla Bartók and La voix humaine by Francis Poulenc, conducted by rising Hungarian maestro Martin Rajna and directed by Claus Guth, in a co-production with the Tiroler Festspiele Erl. The highly anticipated performance of Elle is sung by Anna Caterina Antonacci.

After the 88th Maggio Musicale Festival (April–July), the opera season resumes in September with Wozzeck by Alban Berg, conducted by Thomas Guggeis and directed by Deborah Warner in a production from London’s Royal Opera House. The premiere is on September 27, followed by two more shows.

From October 23, the world premiere of Romanzo criminale—commissioned by Teatro del Maggio and Musica per Roma—brings Giancarlo De Cataldo’s best-selling novel to the stage. Music by Nicola Piovani (who will also conduct), libretto by De Cataldo, and direction by Massimo Popolizio, who also starred in the film adaptation. Sets by Margherita Palli, costumes by Silvia Aymonino, and lighting by Pasquale Mari.

Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra opens November 15, with three more performances. This new production is conducted by James Conlon and directed by Alex Ollé of La Fura dels Baus.

The opera season closes with Les contes d’Hoffmann by Jacques Offenbach, opening December 20, with performances on December 27 and 30, and concluding on January 2, 2027.

Concerts 2026

February 13: Teodor Currentzis and the musicAeterna Orchestra perform Der Ring ohne Worte, Wagner’s Ring Cycle in symphonic form.

February 21: Daniele Rustioni conducts Wagner’s Tannhäuser Overture and Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 and Schicksalslied, with the Maggio Chorus.

March 20: Soprano Jessica Pratt joins Christopher Franklin for an all-Mozart program, featuring arias and overtures from major operas.

March 28: Tomáš Netopil presents the full cycle of Smetana’s Má vlast, including The Moldau.

September 10: Drusilla Foer narrates Peter and the Wolf, conducted by Salvatore Percacciolo, alongside playful works by Rossini and Haydn.

September 13: Foer returns for a Hollywood film score concert with Timothy Brock, featuring music from King Kong, On the Waterfront, Sunset Boulevard, and songs by Kurt Weill.

October 2: Thomas Guggeis conducts Haydn’s Symphony No. 103 and Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7.

November 21, December 9, 13, and 19: A four-part Mendelssohn cycle featuring symphonies and the oratorio Elijah, with soloists and the Maggio Chorus.

December 23: The year ends on a festive note with Gianandrea Noseda conducting the complete Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky, with the Maggio Orchestra and Children’s Choir.

Ballet 2026

December 10–12: The beloved gala Roberto Bolle and Friends returns.

C’è Musica e Musica 3.0 – Third Edition

This lively, family-friendly series returns from February 8 to November 14, with six performances introducing children and students to the joy of music:

Feb 8: Carmina Burana (Orff), conducted by Fratini.

Mar 1: The Symphony of Animals by Dan Brown.

Mar 15: The Marvelous Tale of Pascarella at Castle Morritz, music by Händel, with Gaia Nanni and conductor Giulio Arnolfi.

Oct 11 & 24: Lorenzo Baglioni presents family-friendly shows about Beethoven and Verdi. Conductors: Rotem Nir and Jacopo Brusa.

Nov 14: The Five Elements, a tribute to the Maggio’s percussionists.