When it comes to summer events, the town of Rieti, near Rome, is second to none; The Reate Festival for instance, one of the most important festivals dedicated to opera and classic ballet here in Italy, takes place in this lovely town in the Lazio region from 16 to 25 August. So if you are in Rome during the summer and looking for an alternative programme, you can’t miss out on it. The chief attraction of the festival will be the famous Mozart’s Don Giovanni with Mariusz Kwiecien, Carmela Remigio and Alex Esposito (23 August), but if you are a jazz lover, don’t worry, the festival also features a superb jazz section with top musicians. The Ballets and operas will be staged at The Flavio Vespasiano Theatre, at the church of San Domenico and at Piazza Cesare Battisti.

Continue reading: Summer in Italy: Rieti hosts Reate Festival

Neapolis in fabula is a rather unusual show which brings together three different people and talents; a musician, an artist and a writer who for the first time meet on the stage and from there they slowly start to weave their spell upon the audience. Giosy Cincotti, a musician who loves ethnic jazz; Lico Esposito, a stage and costume designer with a deep knowledge of music and last but not least Marcello D’Orta, a writer who a few years ago with his book Io Speriamo che me la cavo topped the best seller list for weeks on end. Together they have created this multimedia project, a tasty blend of art and music, which has just one objective: to spirit away the very essence of Napolitan music ( its sweet and catchy melodies) to a fairy tale world where everything is still possible!

Continue reading: Neapolis in fabula: when jazz meets Napolitan music

Something of an Italian jazz artist, Pino Daniele here sings “Un vento di passione” or “Passionate wind” with female Italian singer Giorgia at the 2007 Italian Festivalbar, Milan. The live concert in Milan near the Duomo and Galleria is an incredible setting for such a spine-shivering song. Here we give you the English lyrics to this simple, but beautiful, love song.

“Un vento di passione” by Pino Daniele

Il ricordo di un amore
viaggia nella testa
e non c’è una ragione
quando cerchiamo quel che resta

The memory of a love
Travels in the mind
and there’s no logic
When we look for what remains

Continue reading: Italian love songs: English lyrics to "Un vento di passione" by Pino Daniele and Giorgia

On September 12 and 13 the second edition of the Salice Jazz Wine Festival in Salice Salentino will be held. After the success of the last edition, the fesival will be held in Piazza del Plebiscito with famous artists such as Dado Moroni, Javier Girotto, Rosario Giuliani, Flavio Boltro appearing.

This is a great opportunity to enjoy Italian wine with jazz, with some wine tasting from the Leone De Castris company, historic cellar in Salice Salentino.

Artistic direction of the event is managed by Andrea Sabatino. Entrance is free.

Continue reading: Wine tasting in Italy: the Salice Jazz Wine Festival

Bassano del Grappa is a Venetian town famous for its wooden bridge, one of the most characteristic in Italy, which is also called the Ponte Vecchio, or Ponte degli Alpini. The town is also known for its grappa, Italy’s clear spirit made from the cast-offs of grapes, including seeds. For whoever wants to get to know the town better, passing a weekend there over July and August means you can make use of special offers available for the Opera estate Festival, or summer opera festival.

The festival includes numerous evenings of contemporary theatre, international dance, and classical and jazz music, featuring the Rome Ballet, the Orchestra e Coro del Teatro La Fenice, Ivan Lins All Star, and Alessandro Bergonzoni.

Offers in include accommodation at two star hotels for 31 euros for one night or 57 euros for two, three star hoteld you can find at 35 euros for one night or 62 euros for two. If you want something more upmarket, four star hotels have offers of 40 euros for a night, 72 for two nights. The prices are per person and include breakfast buffet, with reduced entrance fees to festival events, the Civic Museum, and the Ceramic Museum, along with the main historic monuments in the town including the tower and medieval castle. You will also receive information on Bassano and the towns hosting events.

Here you can find the list of hotels that are taking part in the promotion, and the festival program.

Photo | Flickr

Continue reading: Opera in Italy: special offers for a weekend at the opera in Bassano del Grappa

The city of Vasanello, in the province of Viterbo, Lazio, had its period of splendour in the 15th century, during the times of the marriage between Giulia Farnese and Orsino Orsini. The real gem of the town is the 13th century castle, with its square angles and cylindrical towers which belonged to the Orsini and then to the Colonna. The rooms hold a beautiful collection of ceramics, and even the medieval garden is worth a visit. Little alleys give glimses of the romantic churches of Santa Maria Assunta and San Salvatore.

In Piazza Ortaccio, from today and for the next three days, the Ortaccio Jazz Festival will take place, if you’re looking for something smaller than the big sister, Umbria Jazz Festival. Organised by the cultural association “Messico e Nuvole”, the event will include appearances from artists such as Rosario Giuliani, Fabiana Rosciglione, la The Old Circus Jazz Band and Rita Marcotulli

The OJ festival for 2008 also includes a special section dedicated to literature and “books in jazz”.

Foto | Andrea Di Palermo

Continue reading: OJ Festival: Italian jazz festival in Vasanello, Lazio

If you have just decide to spend your summer holidays in Umbria, trust me, you’ll have the chance to see lots of things. For instance the Terni Grand Tour Jazz Fest which features not only the biggest names of jazz but a whole world made of music, typical Umbrian food and good wine, all coming from the nearby farms. A real feast for all the five senses.

Kenny Barron, Bireli Lagrene, the big New York jazz band directed by Gorge Garzone, Ben Allison and the saxophonist Francesco Bearzatti are just a few names performing on the show next summer. From 23th June to 30th June the tour will also hit the towns of Ferentillo, Montefalco, Amelia, San Gemini ( including a night concert at the Marmore Falls).

If you are not too impressionable you can also visit the mummies of Ferentillo, the old polygonal walls surrounding Amelia and built in 7th century BC, the archaeological site of Carsulae, the historical sights of Montefalco and last but not least the Falls of the Velino River ( total height 165 m). Concert and food will cost you only 12 euros.

Photo | Flickr

Continue reading: Umbria : The Terni Grand Jazz Tour