52° Festival della Valle d’Itria: Mediterranean Theme, Rare Baroque Opera, and Bizet’s Original Carmen

The 52nd edition of the Festival della Valle d’Itria will take place from July 14 to August 2, 2026, in Martina Franca and other locations in Puglia, Italy. Organized by the Fondazione Paolo Grassi and curated by artistic director Silvia Colasanti for the second year, the festival explores the theme of the Mediterranean. The program features three new opera productions: Stravinsky's Pulcinella and Casella's La favola di Orfeo on July 14, Provenzale's Il schiavo di sua moglie (1672) performed by Cappella Neapolitana under Antonio Florio on July 24, and Bizet's Carmen in its original 1874 score, staged for the first time, directed by Fabio Luisi on July 25. Beyond opera, the festival includes Marco Baliani's commissioned piece Vennero da ogni dove, a musical narrative on migration (July 20-21), concerts by the Orchestra del Teatro Petruzzelli, Orchestra della Magna Grecia, and Orchestra dell'Accademia Teatro alla Scala, and the In Orbita project (July 10-12) bringing performances to public squares. The festival aims to reflect on contemporary issues, cultural exchange, and the dramatic stories of migration across the Mediterranean.