From July 1 to 20, Chieti will once again be transformed into a city-wide stage thanks to the ninth edition of Chieti Classica – International Music Festival, an event that has grown over the years to become one of the most important cultural events of the Abruzzo summer, attracting artists, teachers, and young talents from all over Europe. Under the artistic direction of Maestro Giuliano Mazzoccante, the festival offers three weeks of concerts, masterclasses, talks, and educational activities that highlight the city’s historical and cultural heritage.
Once again this year, the festival can count on the support of the Toto Group, through its parent company Toto Holding, which has always been committed to promoting culture and enhancing the regions where it operates. This commitment is fully reflected in an event that brings together artistic excellence, the education of new generations, and the promotion of local heritage.
Among the featured artists of the 2026 edition are internationally renowned musicians such as cellist Alexander Chaushian, violinists Pavel Berman, Eva Bindere, and Dora Schwarzberg, violist Zvi Carmeli, and tenor Fabio Armiliato, joined by numerous young performers from various countries.
The Charm of Musical Landmarks
One of the distinctive features of Chieti Classica is its choice of venues. The heart of the event remains the prestigious Teatro Marrucino, a true temple of Abruzzo culture. Inaugurated in 1818, the theater has been a landmark for the performing arts in central Italy for over two centuries. Performers, musicians, actors, and theater companies who have written significant chapters in Italy’s artistic history have graced its stage, helping to make the Marrucino a symbol of Chieti’s cultural identity.
In addition to the historic theater, the festival features other venues of great significance, such as the Cianfarani Auditorium at the “La Civitella” National Archaeological Museum, the Teatro Giardino at Palazzo de’ Mayo, and various monumental sites in the city center, creating a captivating dialogue between music, architecture, and history.
One of the most anticipated moments of the entire festival is the concert on Friday, July 10, at the Teatro Marrucino. At 9:00 p.m., cellist Alexander Chaushian, a professor at the Royal College of Music in London, and pianist Dmitry Ishkhanov, who has enjoyed a brilliant international career, will take the stage. Their concert, the festival’s only ticketed event, is one of the highlights of the 2026 edition and promises to offer the audience an evening of great musical intensity dedicated to the chamber music repertoire.
A festival that looks to the future
In addition to the concerts, Chieti Classica reaffirms its commitment to education through numerous masterclasses and workshops that allow young musicians to learn from teachers of the highest international standing. The program is further enriched by initiatives dedicated to the relationship between music and well-being, social activities, and events involving the entire province, reinforcing the festival’s role as a cultural driving force and a meeting point for generations, artistic expressions, and communities.
For those arriving in Chieti via the A25 highway, the festival offers a special opportunity to discover a city rich in history, art, and traditions, while letting yourself be lulled by the music of artists who gather from all over the world in one of Abruzzo’s most fascinating places. A journey into culture that, once again, finds a common language in music.
