From August 26 to September 16 2026, Portogruaro once again becomes a meeting point for artists, music lovers and different musical worlds with the 44th edition of the International Music Festival.
Organised by the Santa Cecilia Music Foundation (Fondazione Musicale Santa Cecilia) and directed by pianist Alessandro Taverna, the Festival is one of the most important cultural events in Eastern Veneto. Concerts, opera performances, talks and live events invite audiences to experience music in some of Portogruaro’s most atmospheric settings, from theatres and historic palaces to remarkable venues throughout the town and surrounding area.
“Consonanze”: the theme of the 2026 Festival
The 2026 edition is entitled “Consonanze” (Consonances), a theme that explores the dialogue between sounds, periods, generations and different forms of artistic expression.
The programme ranges from opera and symphonic music to chamber music, jazz and contemporary experimentation, creating a varied calendar designed to appeal both to passionate music lovers and to those discovering this world for the first time.
The main Festival will be preceded by “Aspettando il Festival” (“Waiting for the Festival”), with events beginning in July, while several “Dopo Festival” (“After the Festival”) performances will follow in the second half of September.
The main events to look forward to
The Festival opens on August 26 at the Teatro Comunale Luigi Russolo with the RAI National Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della RAI) and Giovanni Sollima, appearing as solo cellist, conductor and composer. RAI – Radiotelevisione Italiana is Italy’s national public radio and television broadcaster.
Opera returns on August 31 with Gaetano Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore (The Elixir of Love), performed by the Orchestra and Choir of Teatro Goldoni in Livorno.
Among the Festival’s most distinctive events is Echi della Terra (Echoes of the Earth) on September 3, featuring the Ruda Polyphonic Choir (Coro Polifonico di Ruda) and Remo Anzovino.
On September 8, Il Suono dei Pianeti (The Sound of the Planets) will bring music, astronomy and science together for a unique evening.
On September 10, Dardust will bring Urban Impressionism to Portogruaro, a performance combining piano, strings and electronic music.
On September 13, Emmanuel Pahud, principal flute of the Berliner Philharmoniker, will take centre stage with Bach a Berlino (Bach in Berlin).
The Festival will conclude on September 16 with the Filarmonici Friulani Youth Orchestra and Alessandro Taverna performing a programme entirely dedicated to Chopin.
Stay in the heart of the Festival
Staying in Portogruaro during the Festival means experiencing the town during one of the most atmospheric times of the year. The streets of the historic centre, its arcades, Venetian-style palaces and canals provide the perfect setting for a stroll before or after a concert.
Located in the heart of the historic centre, Hotel Spessotto is an ideal base for attending the Festival and discovering the authentic atmosphere of Portogruaro. Its central location makes it easy to explore the town’s main streets while enjoying the comfort of a stay where every detail is carefully considered.
Browse the full Festival programme, choose the performances that inspire you most and get ready for a few unforgettable days filled with music, culture and history in the heart of Portogruaro.
