On June 26, 2026, the 69th edition of the prestigious Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto will begin. The program under the direction of Daniele Cipriani will combine operatic roots with modernity, hosting stars such as Mika and Yuja Wang.

Opening with the opera "Vanessa"

The festival will open with Samuel Barber's work, featuring a libretto by the event's founder, Gian Carlo Menotti, in its original language version.

Directorial debut of Daniele Cipriani

The new artistic director aims to attract a younger audience by combining classics with elements of pop culture.

World-class stars

The program includes, among others, vocalist Mika in a symphonic format, conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, and pianist Yuja Wang.

Rambert company anniversary

The British dance company will celebrate the centenary of its existence with performances in Spoleto.

The 69th edition of the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto will begin on June 26, 2026, with a performance of the opera Vanessa by Samuel Barber. The event will inaugurate the tenure of Daniele Cipriani, who will debut as the festival's artistic director. The opening program references the event's roots, as the libretto for Barber's opera was written by the festival's founder, Gian Carlo Menotti. The organizers have already announced the first five performances that will make up the upcoming edition of this prestigious cultural event. Festival dei Due Mondi will combine tradition with a modern approach to the performing arts in 2026. The Festival dei Due Mondi was founded in 1958 by composer Gian Carlo Menotti as a platform for cultural exchange between Europe and America. Over the decades, it has become one of the most important events on Italy's cultural map, hosting distinguished artists from around the world. The opera Vanessa, which will open the 2026 edition, premiered at the Metropolitan Opera in 1958, the same year the Spoleto festival was inaugurated. One of the main highlights of the program will be a symphonic concert by British vocalist Mika, who will present his songs in new arrangements. The festival will also be the site of important debuts for world-renowned classical music artists. Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin and pianist Yuja Wang will perform in Spoleto for the first time. The artistic consultants overseeing the music, opera, and theater sections will be pianist Beatrice Rana and director Leo Muscato. 69 (edycja) — the number of the upcoming edition of the Spoleto festival An important anniversary element will be the presence of the British dance company Rambert, which will celebrate the centenary of its existence during the 2026 festival. This ensemble, one of the oldest contemporary dance companies in the world, will prepare special shows for its anniversary. The program of the 69th edition aims to showcase the relationship between traditional operatic forms and contemporary artistic expression. Inauguration of Festival dei Due Mondi 2026: June 26, 2026 — Premiere of Samuel Barber's opera Vanessa to open the festival

Mentioned People

  • Daniele Cipriani — Italian Roman Catholic clergyman, archbishop, Vicar General of Rome and Archpriest of the Basilica of St. John Lateran
  • Mika — British singer and composer of Lebanese origin
  • Gian Carlo Menotti — composer and founder of the Festival dei Due Mondi
  • Beatrice Rana — Italian pianist, artistic consultant for the festival
  • Leo Muscato — director, consultant for opera and theater
  • Yuja Wang — world-renowned Chinese pianist
  • Yannick Nézet-Séguin — Canadian conductor, Music Director of the Metropolitan Opera