Mantua and Cremona: Two Cities United by Monteverdi Host Spring Music Festivals
In late spring and early summer, Mantua and Cremona each celebrate unique music festivals. Trame Sonore takes place in Mantua from May 29 to June 2, showcasing brief chamber music performances at locations such as Teatro Bibiena and Palazzo Ducale. Noteworthy pieces include Schubert's String Quintet D 956 and Schumann's Quintet Op. 44, both performed on May 30. Meanwhile, the Monteverdi Festival in Cremona runs from June 13 to 29, featuring approximately two concerts each day. Highlights include Jordi Savall's Vespro della Beata Vergine on June 7 and Cecilia Bartoli's Orfeo ed Euridice on June 11, with the festival's main event being Il ritorno di Ulisse in patria, directed by Davide Livermore, and concluding with Cavalli's Ercole amante on June 27 and 29.
Key facts
- Trame Sonore in Mantua took place May 29–June 2, 2025.
- Monteverdi Festival in Cremona runs June 13–29, 2025.
- Claudio Monteverdi was born and trained in Cremona and lived crucial years in Mantua.
- Trame Sonore featured chamber music concerts in venues like Teatro Bibiena, Palazzo Ducale, Palazzo Te, and Basilica Palatina of Santa Barbara.
- Ian Bostridge performed at Trame Sonore, including works by Dowland, Monteverdi, and Purcell.
- Jordi Savall conducted Monteverdi's Vespro della Beata Vergine on June 7 as a preview of the Monteverdi Festival.
- Cecilia Bartoli performed Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice on June 11 at Teatro Ponchielli.
- The Monteverdi Festival's new production of Il ritorno di Ulisse in patria is directed by Davide Livermore and conducted by Michele Pasotti.
- Mauro Borgioni plays Ulisse, Margherita Sala plays Penelope, Jacob Lawrence plays Telemaco.
- The festival concludes with Francesco Cavalli's Ercole amante on June 27 and 29.
Entities
Artists
- Claudio Monteverdi
- Ian Bostridge
- Jordi Savall
- Cecilia Bartoli
- Davide Livermore
- Michele Pasotti
- Mauro Borgioni
- Margherita Sala
- Jacob Lawrence
- Andrea Bernard
- Antonio Greco
- Elisa La Marca
- Marco Rizzi
- Giovanni Gnocchi
- Andrea Lucchesini
- Stephanie Tang
- Ferschtman
- Serino
- Coleman
- Karizna
- Henry Purcell
- Francesco Cavalli
- Gluck
- Schubert
- Schumann
- Dowland
- Britten
- Fabrizio Federici
Institutions
- Trame Sonore
- Monteverdi Festival
- Teatro Bibiena
- Palazzo Ducale
- Palazzo Te
- Basilica Palatina of Santa Barbara
- Rotonda di San Lorenzo
- Teatro Ponchielli
- San Marcellino church
- Palazzo Fodri
- Ensemble Diderot
- NOVO Quartet
- La Capella Reial de Catalunya
- Le Concert des Nations
- Les Musiciens du Prince
- La Fonte Musica
- Artribune
Locations
- Mantua
- Cremona
- Italy