New Production by Alessandro Baricco, Domenico Procacci and IMARTS – International Music & Arts

20 and 21 June 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
Courtyard of the School of Architecture, University of Florence

With the support of Unicoop Firenze and under the patronage of the University of Florence

Florence, 17 June 2026 – It will be Alessandro Baricco who leads audiences through a new and unexpected interpretation of Giuseppe Verdi’s La traviata with Una Traviata da cortile, a performance combining storytelling and live music. Presented as part of the 88th Maggio Festival, the production will be staged on 20 and 21 June at 7:30 p.m. in the courtyard of the School of Architecture of the University of Florence.

The project brings opera beyond the walls of the theatre, transforming it into an immersive and accessible experience. Conceived for open-air spaces and courtyards, the production deliberately breaks with operatic convention: there is no longer a separation between stage and audience, and spectators become an integral part of the story. The audience moves within the action, toasts and sings alongside the performers, experiencing Violetta’s story as if attending a village celebration, where music, storytelling and collective participation merge. The result is an original format, midway between an open-air concert, narrative theatre and a communal ritual.

Verdi’s masterpiece is restored to its most popular roots: music once again resonates among the people, performed not by a large symphony orchestra but by the Orchestra di Fiati del Cilento, an ensemble specially created for the occasion, joined by Arcangelo Pignatelli on accordion, Raffaele La Ragione on mandolin, violinists Letizia Gullino and Savina Daniel, violist Lisa Bulfon, cellist Federico Angelico, double bassist Paolo Borsarelli, and the Coro Città di Firenze.

At the heart of the performance remain the pivotal moments in the story of Violetta Valéry, portrayed by soprano Floriana Cicìo, alongside tenor Andrea Tanzillo as Alfredo, Matteo Roma, and baritone Franco Vassallo as Germont. Their story unfolds through a new narrative structure composed of four tableaux exploring love, conflict, humiliation and, ultimately, the heroine’s death. Between these musical scenes, Alessandro Baricco intervenes with his narration, bringing out the human and contemporary power of the story.

Una Traviata da cortile is a theatrical and musical experiment that seeks to return opera to its most vibrant and shared dimension, transforming it into an event that takes place among people, through music, storytelling and celebration. And when the performance ends, the experience does not truly come to a close: audiences are invited to stay on, sharing the night through toasts, music and dancing, just as happens during traditional village festivities.

The performance is designed to be experienced standing. Complimentary drinking water will be available for spectators. Tickets can be purchased online and at the Theatre Box Office; no ticket office service will be available at the performance venue.

Thanks to: Unicoop Firenze, Levoni, IMARTS, University of Florence.