Classical music and opera under the stars for a cultural and enthusiastic audience. This is what the town of San Gimignano has to offer, which promotes night-time musical events every year.

The initiatives will take place on 10, 11 and 12 July in the courtyard of the Palazzo Comunale (if it is raining, the events will be moved to the Leggieri theatre), close to the civic museum and the Torre Grossa or del Podestà, which is 54 metres high. These are a few lyrical concerts by the singers of the centre that founded the lyrical theatre of San Gimignano, in partnership with the councillor for culture of the town council.

The events are part of the San Gimignanese lyrical season, which has now reached its 80th edition and is known all over Italy as the oldest summer lyrical season after Verona’s Arena. The season is part of the playbill of the Toscana Opera Festival, founded in 1997 by Italia Koncert Opera (Iko). In the last few years, the Dortmund Choir and Orchestra, the New York Children’s Chamber Ensemble, the Tuscany Regional Orchestra and the Fiesole Music School have all played on the stage in Piazza Duomo. For information on the times and musical programmes, call the tourism office in San Gimignano: 0577-940008. Information on Iko also by calling 055-9123761.

Also in July, and continuing into August, the town propose ‘Within and outside the walls – From the town for the town’, a series of shows and demonstrations including lyrical works, prose, ballets, and symphony and chamber music concerts that take place in Piazza del Duomo (for times, days and various information, also enquire at the tourism office).