In Tuscany, there’s never any shortage of music, theatre and excitements. but there are some festivals and events that draw together those who adore these arts. All sorts of places find themselves transformed into a stage during the summer: a square and the uphill alleys of a village, a soft hill surrounded by woods, an entire neighbourhood... the magic envelops everything!
An artist during the latest edition of the Apritiborgo festival in Campiglia Marittima
Apritiborgo in Campiglia Marittima
Summer in Campiglia Marittima is a succession of cultural events staged in charming areas around the town. It starts in June and July with the Concerti della Pieve held in the churchyard of the Pieve (parish church) of San Giovanni and other evocative locations in the village, with the finest classical music performed by international musicians. But on mid-August evenings the village is more lively than at any other time of the year with the Apritiborgo Festival, Campiglia's most eagerly awaited event. This is a playful and carefree festival of street theatre that invades the ancient, paved town centre with jugglers, acrobats, clowns and musicians. A word of advice: do not try to drive up to the village by car on festival evenings, use the efficient and free shuttle service that leaves from and returns to Venturina Terme.
Teatro del Silenzio
Teatro del Silenzio in Lajatico
Silence is also music. A concept embraced in the village of Lajatico, deep in the Pisan hills among woods and cultivated fields where nature dictates its rhythms and melodies. Once a year, the quiet around the village is disturbed, or more precisely, transformed for an event inspired by its most illustrious citizen - the tenor Andrea Bocelli – and the landscape becomes the stage. The Teatro del Silenzio (Theatre of Silence) is a natural amphitheatre situated on a hill a 1.5 km from the town centre. For a few days, this natural site comes alive with music, thanks a line-up of internationally renowned artists personally invited by Bocelli and which changes from year to year. After which, everything returns to the way it was - silent - in with complete respect for the environment. A trip to this place of tranquillity and magic is a worthwhile experience but, if possible, go when the shows are being held (usually in July): since 2006 this stage has hosted the likes of Laura Pausini, Gianna Nannini, Roberto Bolle, Placido Domingo and José Carreras, to name but a few.
The Venezia Nuova neighbourhood during the festival of the same name
Effetto Venezia in Livorno
Venezia Nuova (New Venice) is Livorno’s oldest surviving and most characteristic district and is also its liveliest and most alternative. Construction begun in 1692 with the expert assistance of Venetian engineers, and was built on land reclaimed from the sea, a ‘new’ district for the older city (almost entirely razed to the ground in World War II). It became the fulcrum of Livorno's commercial activities. Over the centuries the district has taken on different functions and forms, but it is still the real heart of the city, winding its way among the noble palazzos, churches, bridges with navigable canals - you can even take a boat tour to explore them! It’s just like a little Venice. All year round you can enjoy the district, its restaurants and numerous live-music venues but, between the end of July and beginning of August, its streets and canals light up with colour and are alive with shows and concerts thanks to an event eagerly awaited by the locals and non-locals alike: Effetto Venezia.
