Festival Puccini – Torre del Lago, Italy 2025

Background & History

The Festival Puccini, held annually since 1930, is the only festival dedicated exclusively to Giacomo Puccini, hosted in Torre del Lago, near his former residence, Villa Puccini. Set by Lake Massaciuccoli, the event takes place at the Gran Teatro all’Aperto Giacomo Puccini, a 3,200-seat open-air theater.

Attracting over 40,000 spectators yearly, it celebrates Puccini’s masterpieces with world-class artists and new stagings, offering a unique blend of music, drama, and Tuscan scenery. The 2025 season, the 71st, showcases Puccini’s operas alongside special events, reinforcing its global cultural significance.

Festival Highlights

The 2025 season features Puccini’s iconic operas and special performances, all at the Gran Teatro all’Aperto unless noted:

• Tosca: July 18, August 1, 9, 29, 2025. A dramatic opera set in Rome during the Napoleonic Wars, directed by Alfonso Signorini.
• Turandot: July 25, August 2, 14, 22, September 5, 2025. Puccini’s final opera, known for “Nessun Dorma,” was conducted by Renato Palumbo.
• La Bohème: July 19, 26, August 7, 2025. A romantic tale of Parisian artists, directed by Massimo Gasparon.
• Madama Butterfly: August 8, 23, 2025. A tragic love story set in Japan, with lavish staging.
• Manon Lescaut: August 30, September 6, 2025. Puccini’s early masterpiece of passion and betrayal.
• Gran Galà with Anna Netrebko: August 13, 2025. A lyrical gala featuring the renowned soprano.
• Morricone Story: July 24, 2025. A tribute to Ennio Morricone’s cinematic scores.
• Puccini Oltre il Tempo (EMOX Balletto): August 11, 2025, at Auditorium Enrico Caruso. A ballet inspired by Puccini’s life.
• Suor Angelica: July 13, 2025, at Giardino Spazio Mitoraj, Parco della Musica. A one-act opera with a single, non-numbered seat price.
• Giacomo Puccini: Ritratto in Musica e Parole: September 3, 2025, at Auditorium Enrico Caruso. A recital with Luigi Traino and conversations from Marilena Cheli Tomei’s book.
• Estasi ed Agonia by José Cura: July 31, 2025. A new opera premiere, directed and starring José Cura.

Tosca Performances

Melodramma in tre atti by Giacomo Puccini, with libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica, based on Victorien Sardou’s play. First performed January 14, 1900, at Teatro Costanzi, Rome.
Synopsis: Set in Rome, 1800, during the Napoleonic Wars, Tosca explores love, jealousy, and political intrigue. Painter Mario Cavaradossi hides revolutionary Cesare Angelotti, drawing the attention of Baron Scarpia, who lusts for Mario’s lover, Floria Tosca. Scarpia manipulates Tosca, offering Mario’s freedom for her submission. In desperation, Tosca kills Scarpia, but his deceit leads to Mario’s execution. Heartbroken, Tosca leaps to her death from Castel Sant’Angelo.
Creative Team:

• Conductor: Giorgio Croci
• Director and Costumes: Alfonso Signorini
• Sets: Juan Guillermo Nova
• Lighting: Valerio Alfieri
• Orchestra, Choir, Children’s Choir: Puccini Festival, with Choirmaster Marco Faelli and Children’s Choir Master Viviana Apicella

Performance Dates and Casts:

• July 18, 2025:
  • Floria Tosca: Aleksandra Kurzak
  • Mario Cavaradossi: Roberto Alagna
  • Baron Scarpia: Luca Salsi
  • Cesare Angelotti: Luciano Leoni
  • Il Sagrestano: Claudio Ottino
  • Spoletta: Francesco Napoleoni
  • Sciarrone: Paolo Pecchioli
  • Un Carcieriere: Omar Cepparolli
  • Un Pastore: Francesca Presepi
• August 1, 2025:
  • Floria Tosca: Eleonora Buratto
  • Mario Cavaradossi: Michael Fabiano
  • Baron Scarpia: Mikolaj Zalasinski
  • Other roles: Same as July 18
• August 9, 2025:
  • Floria Tosca: Carmen Giannattasio
  • Mario Cavaradossi: Jonathan Tetelman
  • Baron Scarpia: Mikolaj Zalasinski
  • Other roles: Same as July 18
• August 29, 2025:
  • Floria Tosca: Valentina Boi
  • Mario Cavaradossi: Francesco Meli
  • Baron Scarpia: Ivan Inverardi
  • Other roles: Same as July 18

Date & Duration

Dates: July 18–September 6, 2025
Duration: 51 days, with performances starting at 9:15 PM (GMT+02:00). Shows last ~2.5–3 hours, with intermissions. Gates open at 4:00 PM on opera days.

Venue / Location

Main Address: Gran Teatro all’Aperto Giacomo Puccini, Via delle Torbiere, 55049 Torre del Lago Puccini (LU), Italy
Additional Venues:

• Auditorium Enrico Caruso (for Puccini Oltre il Tempo and Ritratto in Musica e Parole): Via delle Torbiere, 55049 Torre del Lago Puccini
• Giardino Spazio Mitoraj, Parco della Musica (for Suor Angelica): Near Villa Puccini, Torre del Lago
  City and Region: Torre del Lago Puccini, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy
  Details: The 3,200-seat open-air theater, set by Lake Massaciuccoli, offers stunning views and acoustics, located steps from Puccini’s Villa Mausoleum. Smaller venues like the Auditorium and Spazio Mitoraj host intimate performances.

Contact Information

Email:

• Ticket Office: ticketoffice@puccinifestival.it
• General Inquiries: affarigenerali@puccinifestival.it
• Press: press@puccinifestival.it
  Phone:
• Ticket Office: +39 0584 359322
• General/Press: +39 0584 350567 (press: option 6)
  Fax: +39 0584 341657 (general), +39 0584 350277 (tickets)
  Address:
• Puccini Festival Foundation/Ticket Office: Via delle Torbiere, 55049 Torre del Lago Puccini (LU), Italy
  Website: puccinifestival.it
  Social Media: @puccinifestival (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)

Ticket Information

• Pricing:
  • Tosca, Turandot, La Bohème, Madama Butterfly, Manon Lescaut:
    • Gold: €175 (~$191 USD, includes one drink)
    • 1st Sector: €135 (~$147 USD)
    • 2nd Sector: €95 (~$103 USD)
    • 3rd Sector: €63 (~$69 USD)
    • 4th Sector: €35 (~$38 USD)
    • 5th Sector: €21 (~$23 USD)
  • Gran Galà, Estasi ed Agonia:
    • Gold: €145 (~$158 USD, includes one drink)
    • 1st Sector: €110 (~$120 USD)
    • 2nd Sector: €80 (~$87 USD)
    • 3rd Sector: €60 (~$65 USD)
    • 4th Sector: €40 (~$44 USD)
    • 5th Sector: €29 (~$32 USD)
  • Morricone Story:
    • 1st Sector: €65 (~$71 USD)
    • 2nd Sector: €50 (~$55 USD)
    • 3rd Sector: €35 (~$38 USD)
    • 4th Sector: €20 (~$22 USD)
  • Suor Angelica: €10 (~$11 USD, single non-numbered seat)
  • Puccini Oltre il Tempo, Recital Pianistico, Il Pianoforte di Puccini: €10–€15 (~$11–$16 USD, numbered or non-numbered seats)
• Sales Channels:
  • Official Website: puccinifestival.it (primary, accepts Visa/Mastercard, QR codes, or printed tickets).
  • Authorized Platforms: TicketOne (e.g., Tosca on August 9/29), europaticket.com, music-opera.com.
  • On-Site: Ticket Office at Via delle Torbiere (Monday–Friday 9:00 AM–12:30 PM, 3:00–6:30 PM; opera days 10:00 AM–12:30 PM, 4:00–9:15 PM; closed August 15).
  • Phone: +39 0584 359322 (Visa/Mastercard via Nexi’s “pay by link”).
  • Email: ticketoffice@puccinifestival.it (bank transfer or card payment).
• Notes:
  • Prices include presale fees; no reductions for Gran Galà or Morricone Story.
  • Discounts available via ticket office (not online); contact +39 0584 359322 or ticketoffice@puccinifestival.it.
  • No refunds unless a performance is canceled before starting. In bad weather, delays up to 90 minutes are possible, or performances may use piano accompaniment. Refunds require tickets by the 10th day of the following month.
  • Avoid secondary ticketing (e.g., Viagogo) due to invalid ticket risks.
  • Disabled access: Contact the ticket office for dedicated seats (not available online).

Cultural Experience

The Festival Puccini immerses audiences in Puccini’s world, set against the serene Lake Massaciuccoli and Tuscan hills. The Gran Teatro’s open-air setting enhances operas like Tosca with its intense arias (“Vissi d’arte,” “E lucevan le stelle”). Subtitles in Italian/English on screens ensure accessibility. Performances by stars like Anna Netrebko and Roberto Alagna, alongside events like the Gran Galà, blend tradition with innovation. The festival’s proximity to Puccini’s Villa Mausoleum and museum offers a deep connection to his legacy, with cultural performances like EMOX Balletto adding modern flair.

Food & Drinks

• Policy: Food, drinks, bottles, glass, or blunt objects are prohibited inside the theater. Drinks (~$3–$5 USD) are available at the bar area before performances and during intermissions.
• Nearby Dining: Lakefront restaurants like Chalet Emilio (Via della Spiaggia, ~$10–$30 USD per dish) offer seafood and Tuscan cuisine. Vegan/gluten-free options are limited; confirm with restaurants. Pre-opera dining is advised due to late showtimes (9:15 PM).
• Festival Area: Stalls near the theater may sell snacks like panini (~$5–$10 USD) or gelato (~$3–$5 USD).

Family & Accessibility

• Children’s Policy: Suitable for ages 8+, with parental guidance for Tosca’s intense themes (violence, suicide). No specific family tickets, but lower-cost 4th/5th sectors (~$23–$38 USD) suit families. Arrive early for kids to explore the lakeside ambiance.
• Accessibility: The Gran Teatro is wheelchair-accessible with dedicated seats. Contact ticketoffice@puccinifestival.it or +39 0584 359322 for reservations (not available online). Lakefront pathways are flat, but Viareggio’s cobblestones may pose challenges. Accessible restrooms are available.

Getting There

• By Air:
  • Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport (PSA), 25 km away (~$20–$30 USD taxi, 30 minutes; bus/train ~$5–$10 USD, 40 minutes).
  • Florence Peretola Airport (FLR), 80 km away (~$50–$70 USD taxi, 1 hour; train/bus ~$10–$20 USD, 1.5 hours).
• By Train: Viareggio or Pisa Centrale stations (trenitalia.com, ~$5–$10 USD from Pisa, 20 minutes). From Viareggio, take a taxi (~$15 USD, 10 minutes) or bus (~$2 USD, 15 minutes) to Torre del Lago.
• By Car: From the Genova-Livorno motorway, exit Viareggio or Pisa Nord, take the superstrada to Torre del Lago exit, and follow “Festival Puccini” signs. Parking near Gran Teatro (~$2–$5 USD/hour, limited).
• Shuttle Services:
  • Puccini Line Shuttle: From Forte dei Marmi, Marina di Pietrasanta, Lido di Camaiore, Viareggio to Gran Teatro (~$10–$20 USD round-trip). Departs 7:15–7:50 PM, returns 20 minutes post-performance. Book: +39 331 676 8334.
  • Puccini Shuttle (Lucca): Round-trip from Lucca’s Porta S. Pietro at 7:30 PM (~$44 USD/person). Book: +39 0583 462620, info@tautouring.it.
• Traffic Restrictions: Expect pedestrian zones around Via delle Torbiere during performances. Check puccinifestival.it for updates.

Additional Services

• Information Booths: At the Gran Teatro entrance for maps and schedules.
• Merchandise: Festival librettos and cushions (~$5–$10 USD) sold at the theater bookstore (performance evenings).
• Guided Tours: Villa Puccini museum tours (~$10 USD, book via puccinifestival.it).
• Lost & Found: Contact Puccini Festival Offices (Via delle Torbiere, +39 0584 350567).
• Dress Code: Smart casual preferred (no shorts or sandals for Gold/1st Sector). Weather-proof attire advised (e.g., raincoats; umbrellas banned).
• Photography: Prohibited inside the theater; allowed outside around Lake Massaciuccoli.
• Sustainability: The festival promotes local Tuscan culture and eco-friendly practices, with some vendors using sustainable packaging.