Chigiana International Festival 2026 Transforms Siena into Musical Archipelago with Henze Tribute
Scheduled to occur in Siena from July 7 to September 1, 2026, the Chigiana International Festival & Summer Academy 2026, themed 'Isole' (Islands), marks its twelfth edition under the direction of Nicola Sani. This year’s festival will showcase more than one hundred events across seven thematic paths, highlighting a centenary tribute to Hans Werner Henze with forty-one of his compositions. Featuring over eight hundred performers, the festival includes thirty-two advanced training courses and over forty premieres, of which thirteen are world premieres. Notable highlights comprise the Concert for Italy, led by conductor Daniel Harding with pianist Stefano Bollani. The event promotes accessibility through scholarships and presents a photographic exhibition by Daniele Vita, viewing each project as interconnected within an archipelago concept.
Key facts
- Chigiana International Festival & Summer Academy 2026 runs July 7 to September 1, 2026
- Festival titled 'Isole' (Islands) features over 100 events across Siena and Sienese lands
- Directed by Nicola Sani with tribute to Hans Werner Henze featuring 41 compositions
- Includes 40+ premieres with 13 world premieres and 32 advanced training courses
- Features Concert for Italy in Piazza del Campo with Daniel Harding and Orchestra of Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
- Three commissioned works: Andrea Mannucci's 'Requiem per Giulia', Philippe Manoury's 'Tell me all. Tell me now', Nicola Bernardini's 'D'Altro canto 2'
- Photographic exhibition 'Isolari' by Daniele Vita curated by Stefano Jacoviello at ChigianaArtCafé
- Involves over 800 performers, 7 resident ensembles, and 7 thematic paths
Entities
Artists
- Nicola Sani
- Hans Werner Henze
- Andrea Mannucci
- Philippe Manoury
- Nicola Bernardini
- Daniel Harding
- Stefano Bollani
- Daniele Gatti
- Henning Brockhaus
- Daniele Vita
- Stefano Jacoviello
- Ingeborg Bachmann
- Elsa Morante
- Luchino Visconti
- Paolo Cuccia
- Roberto Testi
Institutions
- Chigiana International Festival & Summer Academy
- Accademia Musicale Chigiana
- Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
- Rai Cultura
- Rai3
- Radio3
- Siena Jazz
- IILA-Chigiana
- ChigianaArtCafé
- Artribune
Locations
- Siena
- Italy
- Piazza del Campo
- Sienese lands
- Chianti Classico
- Ischia
- Montepulciano
- Germany
- Cuba
- Sicily
- Lampedusa
- America Latina
- Latin America