Cremona Summer Festival

June 20–September 27, 2026 – Cremona and Crema

Once again this year, world-class international music takes center stage in Cremona’s summer: from June 20 to September 27, 2026, the 16th edition of the Cremona Summer Festival will take place—a summer event dedicated to music and violin making that will transform Cremona and its surrounding area into a global hub for students, teachers, and enthusiasts.

All concerts are free of charge, subject to availability.

The Festival, promoted by the Cremona-Mantua-Pavia Chamber of Commerce as part of the “Masterclass – A Place to Play” project and organized in collaboration with the municipalities of Cremona and Crema, reaffirms its commitment to education and concert performances by welcoming youth orchestras, choirs, and soloists from around the world. The Cremona area continues to solidify its role as “A place to play,” with an expected turnout of over 2,000 participants, including students, teachers, and families, generating significant economic benefits for local businesses, from hospitality to violin-making workshops.

The 2026 edition will feature the participation of major international musical institutions: among the first events, a concert by the Royal Holloway College University of London Choir, which will perform on June 20 at 9:00 p.m. at the Manenti Auditorium in Crema and on June 22 at 9:00 p.m. at Cremona Cathedral, followed by a presentation by Helen Brunner, a violinist who graduated from the Royal College of Music in London and is one of the pioneers of the Suzuki Method in Europe; on June 26 at 6:00 PM, a masterclass on the Suzuki Method will be presented by Helen Brunner in collaboration with CeSMI at the Sala Maffei in Cremona, on June 27 at 9:00 p.m., she will hold a concert with her students at the Auditorium of the Violin Museum, during which her prized “Brunner” violin by Girolamo Amati II will also be played.

In addition to the numerous participants from around the world, masterclasses will once again play a central role this year. From July 13 to July 28, the Cremona International Music Academy returns, organized by Artistic Director Mark Lakirovich, offering a packed schedule of masterclasses, concerts by students and faculty, and prestigious competitions for strings and piano (notably the highly anticipated special event with the Cremona Quartet, scheduled for July 22), followed by the PIMF-Vanoli Music Festival (USA) and the Accademia Monte Verità.

This year, the festival is adding a new section dedicated to opera singing, called the Cremona Opera Festival, which will kick off with the final round of the “Premio Orfeo d’Oro” Competition, organized by the Alliance Arts Administration association of Paris, on July 29 at 7:00 p.m., at the Auditorium of the Violin Museum, continuing with the lessons and masterclasses of the Accademia Monte Verità, and concluding with a production of “The Marriage of Figaro” at the Teatro Filodrammatici in two versions, one with piano and voice and the other accompanied by the Parma Chamber Orchestra.

Also in the realm of opera, the unmissable Gran Galà Lirico will continue this year as well, in collaboration with Confartigianato Imprese; this year, it will move from the Federico II Courtyard to Piazza del Comune on August 7 at 9:00 p.m.

Also not to be missed are the prestigious performances at the Violin Museum:

Saturday, June 27, 9:00 p.m. – A Living Heritage: Helen Brunner and The Amati Violin
Saturday, July 18, at 8:30 p.m. – Cremona International Music Academy – 2025 Winners’ Concert with the Festival Orchestra
Tuesday, July 21, at 8:30 p.m. – Cremona International Music Academy – 2026 Winners’ Concert with Strings and Piano
Wednesday, July 29, 7:00 p.m. – “Premio Orfeo d’Oro” Competition Finals
Tuesday, September 8, 9:00 p.m. – Bella Musica Mozarteum Salzburg (Austria)
The program will run through the end of September and will conclude with a concert by the Kambala School (AUS) on September 27 at 6:00 PM in the Federico II Courtyard.

The Cremona Summer Festival is sponsored by the Province of Cremona, with the support and collaboration of the International School of Violin Making, the Violin Museum Foundation, the Touring Club – Cremona Chapter, the Strada del Gusto Cremonese, the Botteghe del Centro, the Urban Commerce District, Confartigianato Imprese, the Cremonese Amateur Drama Association, the “Antonio Stradivari” Violin Makers’ Consortium Cremona, the Cremona International Music Academy, the Florence Youth Orchestras Festival, and BeMyMusic Cremona.

PROGRAM
Saturday, June 20
Royal Holloway London Choir (UK)
Manenti Auditorium (Church of San Bernardino), Crema
9:00 PM Concert

Monday, June 22
Royal Holloway London Choir (UK)
Cathedral, Cremona
9:00 PM Concert

Friday, June 26 / Friday, June 26
Cesmi presents: Helen Brunner and the Suzuki Method
Sala Maffei, Cremona
6:00 PM Masterclass

Saturday, June 27 / Saturday, June 27
A Living Heritage: Helen Brunner and the Amati Violin
Giovanni Arvedi Auditorium, Violin Museum, Cremona
9:00 PM Concert

Monday, June 29 / Monday, June 29
Mountain Top String of California Orchestra (USA)
Federico II Courtyard, Cremona
6:30 PM Concert

Saturday, July 4 / Saturday, July 4
Vida Summer School
Federico II Courtyard, Cremona
9:00 PM Concert

Sunday, July 5
The Earl’s High School (UK)
Cortile Federico II, Cremona
9:00 PM Concert

Friday, July 10
Sherry Youth Chamber Orchestra (UK)
Sala Maffei, Cremona
6:30 PM Concert

Saturday, July 11
Bromley Youth Chamber Orchestra (UK)
Federico II Courtyard, Cremona
9:00 PM Concert / Concert

Sunday, July 12
Tees Valley Youth Orchestra (UK)
Cortile Federico II, Cremona
9:00 PM Concert / Concert

Monday, July 13
CREMONA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC ACADEMY
Sala Maffei, Cremona
7:00 PM Student Showcase Concert, Opening Concert
9:00 PM Young Artists Concert Series Opening Concert

Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (USA)
Cortile Federico II, Cremona
9:00 PM Concert / Concert

Tuesday, July 14
CREMONA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC ACADEMY
Sala Maffei, Cremona
7:00 PM Student Concert / Student Showcase Concert
9:00 PM Distinguished Faculty Concert Series Opening Concert

Wednesday, July 15
CREMONA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC ACADEMY
Sala Maffei, Cremona
7:00 PM Student Showcase Concert
9:00 PM Young Artists Concert Series

Thursday, July 16
St. Thomas More Catholic School (UK)
Cortile Federico II, Cremona
6:00 PM Concert

CREMONA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC ACADEMY
Sala Maffei, Cremona
7:00 PM Young Artists Concert / Young Artists Concert Series
9:00 PM Distinguished Faculty Concert Series

Friday, July 17
CREMONA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC ACADEMY
Sala Maffei, Cremona
3:00 p.m. Competition for Strings and Piano – Round 1

Saturday, July 18 / Saturday, July 18
CREMONA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC ACADEMY
Sala Maffei, Cremona
6:00 PM Student Showcase Concert
Auditorium Giovanni Arvedi, Violin Museum, Cremona
8:30 PM Concert of the 2025 Winners with the Festival Orchestra / Concert of the Winners of the 2025 Competition with the Festival Orchestra

Sunday, July 19
CREMONA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC ACADEMY
Sala Maffei, Filodrammatici Theater, Cremona
10:00 a.m. Competition for Strings and Piano – Round 2
Filodrammatici Theater, Cremona
5:00 p.m. Pianists’ Concert / Concert of Pianists
Palazzo Fodri Courtyard, Cremona
7:30 PM Orchestra and String Ensemble

Monday, July 20 / Monday, July 20
CREMONA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC ACADEMY
Sala Maffei, Cremona
7:00 PM Young Artists Concert Series
9:00 PM Distinguished Faculty Concert Series
Distinguished Faculty Concert Series

Tuesday, July 21
Asia Youth String Orchestra (HKG)
Federico II Courtyard, Cremona
6:30 PM Concert / Concert

CREMONA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC ACADEMY
Giovanni Arvedi Auditorium, Violin Museum, Cremona
8:30 PM Concert of the 2026 Winners for Strings and Piano / Concert of the Winners of the 2026 Competitions for Strings and Piano

Wednesday, July 22
CREMONA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC ACADEMY
Sala Maffei, Cremona
9:00 PM Distinguished Faculty Concert Series with the Quartetto di Cremona

Thursday, July 23 / Thursday, July 23
CREMONA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC ACADEMY
Sala Maffei, Cremona
6:00 PM Student Showcase Concert
9:00 PM Distinguished Faculty Concert Series / Distinguished Faculty Concert Series

Friday, July 24
CREMONA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC ACADEMY
Sala Maffei, Cremona
4:00 p.m. Chamber Music Festival, Day 1
5:30 p.m. Chamber Music Festival, Day 1 / Chamber Music Fest, Day 1
7:00 PM Chamber Music Festival, Day 1 / Chamber Music Fest, Day 1
9:00 PM Chamber Music Festival, Day 1 / Chamber Music Fest, Day 1

Saturday, July 25 / Saturday, July 25
CREMONA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC ACADEMY
Sala Maffei, Cremona
4:00 p.m. Chamber Music Festival, Day 2 / Chamber Music Fest, Day 2
5:30 PM Chamber Music Festival, Day 2 / Chamber Music Fest, Day 2
7:00 PM Chamber Music Festival, Day 2 / Chamber Music Fest, Day 2
9:00 PM Chamber Music Festival, Day 2 / Chamber Music Fest, Day 2

Stoneleigh Youth Orchestra (UK)
Manenti Auditorium (Church of San Bernardino), Crema
9:00 PM Concert

Monday, July 27 / Monday, July 27
CREMONA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC ACADEMY
Sala Maffei, Cremona
7:00 PM Young Artists Concert Series
9:00 PM Distinguished Faculty Concert Series
 

Tuesday, July 28
CREMONA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC ACADEMY
Sala Maffei, Cremona
12:30 PM Distinguished Faculty Concert Series
 

Monday, July 27 / Distinguished Faculty Concert Series

Tuesday, July 28 / Tuesday, July 28
CREMONA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC ACADEMY
Sala Maffei, Cremona
12:30 p.m. Piano Duo Concert / Piano Duo Concert
3:30 PM Small Ensemble Concert
Cortile Federico II, Cremona
8:30 PM Closing Concert “Orchestral Serenade” / "Orchestral Serenade" Concert

Stoneleigh Youth Orchestra (UK)
Federico II Courtyard, Cremona
6:00 PM Concert

Wednesday, July 29 / July 29
CREMONA OPERA FESTIVAL
Giovanni Arvedi Auditorium, Violin Museum, Cremona
7:00 PM “Premio Orfeo d’Oro” Competition Finals

Friday, July 31 / Friday, July 31
CREMONA OPERA FESTIVAL
Sala Maffei, Cremona
5:30 PM Accademia Monte Verità Voice Masterclass - Vincenzo De Vivo
6:15 PM Accademia Monte Verità Voice Masterclass - Maciej Pikulski

Saturday, August 1
CREMONA OPERA FESTIVAL
Maffei Hall, Cremona
5:30 PM Accademia Monte Verità Voice Masterclass - Matteo Pais
6:15 PM Accademia Monte Verità Voice Masterclass - Paul Gay
9:00 PM Janus Opera, Accademia Monte Verità - Postcards from My Homeland: Songs of Memory and Belonging

Sunday, August 2 / Sunday, August 2
CREMONA OPERA FESTIVAL
Sala Maffei, Cremona
6:15 PM Accademia Monte Verità Voice Masterclass - Sebastiano Rolli
6:15 PM Accademia Monte Verità Voice Masterclass - Francesco Bellotto

Opera Singing School of the Società Filodrammatica Cremonese
students of Nadiya Petrenko
Cortile Federico II, Cremona
9:00 PM Concert

Monday, August 3 / Monday, August 3
CREMONA OPERA FESTIVAL
Sala Maffei, Cremona
5:30 PM Accademia Monte Verità Voice Masterclass - Claudio di Segni
6:15 PM Accademia Monte Verità Voice Masterclass - Chen Xiao
9:00 PM Janus Opera, Accademia Monte Verità - Portraits of Fate: Arias of Love, Loss and Desire

Tuesday, August 4
CREMONA OPERA FESTIVAL
Sala Maffei, Cremona
5:30 PM Accademia Monte Verità Voice Masterclass - Silvia Dalla Benetta
6:15 PM Accademia Monte Verità Voice Masterclass - Francesco Izzo

Wednesday, August 5
CREMONA OPERA FESTIVAL
Sala Maffei, Cremona
5:30 PM Accademia Monte Verità Voice Masterclass – Donatella Debolini
6:15 PM Accademia Monte Verità Voice Masterclass – Gianni Fabbrini

Thursday, August 6 / Thursday, August 6
CREMONA OPERA FESTIVAL
Sala Maffei, Cremona
5:30 PM Monte Verità Academy Voice Masterclass - Andreas Macco
6:15 PM Monte Verità Academy Voice Masterclass - Zeng Zhenyu
9:00 PM Monte Verità Academy Graduation Concert

Friday, August 7
GRAND OPERA GALA
Piazza del Comune, Cremona

Saturday, August 8
Concert by Young Talents of the Accademia del Ridotto
Prof. M° Georgy Levinov
Cortile Federico II, Cremona
9:00 PM Concert / Concert

Sunday, August 9
CREMONA OPERA FESTIVAL
Teatro Filodrammatici, Cremona
4:00 PM Janus Opera - The Marriage of Figaro (Piano and Voice)
8:00 PM Janus Opera - The Marriage of Figaro (Piano and Voice)

Tuesday, August 11
CREMONA OPERA FESTIVAL
Teatro Filodrammatici, Cremona
4:00 PM Janus Opera - The Marriage of Figaro (Parma Chamber Orchestra)
8:00 PM Janus Opera - The Marriage of Figaro (Parma Chamber Orchestra)

Tuesday, August 25
Essex Youth Orchestra (UK)
Cortile Federico II, Cremona
6:00 PM Concert

Essex Youth Jazz Orchestra (UK)
Federico II Courtyard, Cremona
9:00 PM Concert

Tuesday, September 8
Bella Musica Mozarteum Salzburg (AUT)
Giovanni Arvedi Auditorium, Violin Museum, Cremona
9:00 PM Concert

CANCELED DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER
Wednesday, September 9
Wednesday, September 9
Tonart Musikschule Mittleres Rheintal (AUT)
Federico II Courtyard, Cremona
9:00 PM Concert

Friday, September 11 / Friday, September 11
Ensemble Microcosme (CHE)
Palazzo Fodri Courtyard, Cremona
9:00 PM Concert

Sunday, September 27 / Sunday, September 27
Kambala School (AUS)
Teatro Filodrammatici, Cremona
6:00 PM Concert

For information and updates: www.cremonamusicfestival.it