Started in’33, the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino has become known as one of the first musical festivals in Italy that was founded by Vittorio Gui, an Italian conductor and composer. In’37, the opera festival became a biennial event. After’37, it became and annual event. However, this was not the case during the Second World War.

Today, the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino is a yearly opera festival that conducts contemporary and bygone operas for opera lovers all over the world in stunning productions and displays. Music has always played an important part in Florence. The very first operas that were performed were at the end of the sixteenth century and since then Italians have grown with a deep appreciation for the musical arts.

The Teatro Comunale is where the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino opera festival is performed. Designed in’62 by Telemaco Bonaiuti, it can seat up to 2003 people who can enjoy the large stalls and two wide semi circular galleries that make up the amphitheatre. When the first opera was performed during the festival, opera lovers were presented with one of Verdi’s early productions; Nabucco. By the full name of Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi, he was one of the most influential romantic Italian composers of the’th century who spent his time performing around the world in opera houses.

Gaining international status since it first began; the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino is one of the most important Italian opera festivals around the world that see thousands of visitors every year. With productions that are visually dramatic, the opera festival is a haven for opera lovers who enjoy the basic cultural choices with some of the greatest conductors. Some of the conductors at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino festival include Vittorio Gui, the founder of the festival, as well as Dimitri Mitropoulos, Wilhelm Furtwngler, Bruno Walter, Zubin Mehta, von Karajan and Muti. Zubin Mehta is also the current conductor, while Paolo Arc is the present Artistic Director of the festival.

The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino 2010 program is set to include a banquet of ballet and opera productions. The opera performances include L’italiana in Algeri (The Italian Girl in Algiers) by Gioachino Rossini, The Cunning Little Vixen by Leo Jancek, Il campanello (The Night Bell) by Gaetano Donizetti and Adriana Lecouvreur, based on the French actress Adrienne Lecouvreue (1692-1730) by Francesco Cilea. The ballet performances that are set to bring another year of success are the revered Don Quixote and Carmen Suite.

In’33, Vittorio Gui established the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, which has grown as an international success for opera lovers throughout the world. Complete with four operas, concerts, ballets and exhibitions, Italy’s oldest opera festival takes place during the months of April, May and June. However, for those who cannot make it during those months will be pleased to know that the activity of the festival is present throughout the year.

Complete with concerts, ballets and the opera season, the Boboli Gardens is where you can find additional opera delights for opera lovers throughout the year.

Tickets are now on sale for the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino festival 2009-2010 season.

For more information on hotels in the area please visit Hotel Florence near Maggio Musicale and click here for more information on Festivals in Florence Italy

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