2020 Summer Music & Opera Festivals in Europe

December 15, 2019

During this summer's music and opera festivals, travelers to Europe can delight in internationally renowned performing artists and world premieres in beautiful and historic settings. Opera in a Roman open air amphitheatre, classical concerts in Renaissance churches, or arias in grand opera houses and castles are just a few of the experiences in store for travelers and music lovers this spring and summer of 2020.

ITALY

Arena di Verona Summer Opera Season
Verona, Italy
June 13 - September 5, 2020

The Arena di Verona, the ancient Roman amphitheater in Verona, opens its summer opera season with Cavalleria rusticana/Pagliacci. This popular summer opera festival brings a staggering 16,000 people to each production. The outdoor opera venue, the Arena, continues with Turandot, Nabucco, La traviata, and others. 

Opera at the Baths of Caracalla
Rome, Italy
June 6 - August 6, 2020

Teatro dell'Opera holds its summer season of opera outdoors under the stars at the Baths of Caracalla, the ancient Roman spa complex in Rome. This year, the company presents ballet as well as operas.

Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
Florence, Italy
April 23- July 22, 2020

Programs feature performances of La traviata and Un ballo in maschera as well as dance programs and concerts held at Teatro del Maggio, Teatro Goldoni in Florence, Italy. 

Festival Puccini
Torre del Lago, Italy
July 17 - August 23, 2020

Torre del Lago is near the the Tuscan town of Viagreggio and 35 minutes from Lucca, the birthplace of Puccini. This year, the festival's open-air theater will feature productions of Manon Lescaut, La boheme, Madama Butterfly, Turandot and Tosca.

Rossini Opera Festival 
Pesaro, Italy
August 8 - 21, 2020

Established in 1980, the festival at the birthplace of the Rossini features performances of his works. This year, Il viaggio a Reims, Moïse et Pharaon, among other programs are scheduled.


FRANCE

Les étés de la danse
Paris, France
July 2 - 18, 2020

This summer, the yearly festival presents the Dutch National Ballet and English National Ballet at Théâtre du Châtelet presenting Christopher Wheeldon's Cendrillon and Akram Khan's Giselle, respectively.


NETHERLANDS

Holland Festival
Amsterdam
June 7 - 27, 2020

The Holland Festival is The Netherland's oldest performing arts festival featuring theater, music, opera, modern dance as well as visual art and film.  Performances take throughout Amsterdam at venues such as the city theatre, the opera, the Concertgebouw  and Muziekgebouw concert hallsy.


ENGLAND 

Bath International Music Festival
Bath, England
March 27 - May 24, 2020

Music Festival events range from orchestral, chamber and contemporary classical music to contemporary jazz and  world music. The programs takes place in music venues throughout the city and in outdoor spaces. 

Glyndebourne Festival
May 21 - August 30, 2020

The festival presents six productions each year in a 1,200-seat opera house in East Sussex, England. In 2020, L'elisir d'amore, Alcina, Fidelio and other programs are scheduled.


GERMANY

Wagner Bayreuth Festival 
Bayreuth, Germany
July 25 - August 30, 2020

Performances of operas by Richard Wagner are presented in the theater, Festspielhaus, built by the composer himself. 

Dresden Music Festival
Dresden, Germany
May 12 - June 12, 2020

Events of the music festival are held in venues throughout Dresden, from churches and museums to the Semperoper and the Frauenkirche. 


AUSTRIA

Salzburg Festival
Salzburg, Austria
July 17 - August 30, 2020

The music festival in Mozart's city of Salzburg will present Elektra, Don Giovanni, Tosca, and other programs. In addition to opera, the festival offers plays as well as concerts by the Vienna Philharmonic, the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, and others.

Vienna Festival "Wiener Festwochen"
Vienna, Austria
May 15 - June 21, 2020

The festival was established in 1951 to demonstrate to the world the city's ability to survive and thrive after the war.  The program features cultural and music events.


See also: European Opera Tours »


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