Versilia is not just a famous summer destination because of its beautiful sea and entertainments, but also for the various cultural events that it hosts in summer!
Located close to the centers of Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi, Torre del Lago Puccini is the southernmost city of Versilia. As well as having a beautiful Mediterranean scrub, this town organizes many concerts, events and some world-famous festivals. Almost all of them are dedicated to the works of Giacomo Puccini, a classical music composer who lived in Torre del Lago for more than thirty years.
Want to know more about it? Find below all the information, dates and our useful recommendations to take part to the next edition of the Puccini Festival!
The Festival is one of the main events in Versilia's summer and this year marks its 65th edition. It takes place within the Massaciuccoli Lake, a magical setting located a few steps from the Tuscan coast where the beauty of the place joins the splendid musical symphonies. It is not just an outdoor concert, but a cultural event of great importance that attracts thousands of international fans with its rich program.
The first edition of the Festival took place in 1930, six years after the musician's death. The choice to dedicate an entire event to the artist's works is due to his close connection with the land of Lucca, where Puccini was born and lived for many years . Fascinated by the atmosphere of the place, he composed here many of his works and wished until the last days of his life to see his music represented in this splendid natural setting. It was Puccini himself, in fact, who said: that he would have liked to listen to his own works in the wonderful setting where he usually went hunting or fishing.
In honor of the artist, the town chose to change its name to "Torre del Lago-Puccini" and to inaugurate the "Giacomo Puccini Grand Theater" in 2008, in occasion of the 150th anniversary of the composer's birth. In the historical center of the city, moreover, it is possible to visit Villa Puccini, a liberty residence where the artist lived and composed the works. Today, the building houses his burial and has been transformed into a museum conserving an authentic atmosphere, as it displays the piano, the manuscripts and other objects related to the daily life of the "Maestro".
The Festival program includes the representation of all the major artist's works, like "La fanciulla del west", "Turandot", "Bohème" or "Aida", as well as some minor works such as "Le Villi ". Under the direction of important orchestra conductors, the show sees the participation of world-famous opera singers and the supervision of great directors.
Don't miss the chance to participate in the only festival in the world dedicated to Puccini's works!
The ticket price can be purchased online or at the Festival ticket office, and it varies according to the sector chosen in the audience. The cost of an Opera performance is between € 20 and € 160, while the ticket for the "Lago dei Cigni" ballet ranges from € 15 to € 40. Shuttle services are available from Versilia and Lucca and an elegant dress code is required.
Looking for a holiday rental for your stay in Torre del Lago Puccini? Discover more about Villa Camaiore, Il Gualdo and Villa Oliveta, some of our wonderful properties in Versilia.
© Alice Pilastri
