Fascinating and full of charm, Florence is an outstanding city of art that has preserved its rich architectural heritage, a testament to its role as a political and cultural beacon of Europe from the late Middle Ages onward. Music has always held a central place in the city’s history, as demonstrated by the birth of opera in 1600 with Jacopo Peri and Euridice, the earliest opera to have survived to the present day.

Opened in 2011, the Teatro del Maggio has given new impetus to Florence’s musical life. This autumn, the Orchestra and Chorus of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino will take centre stage under the baton of distinguished conductors such as Zubin Mehta, Thomas Guggeis and Daniele Gatti. On the operatic front, particular highlights include the world premiere of Romanzo Criminale by Nicola Piovani, based on the novel by Giancarlo De Cataldo, as well as a new production of Simon Boccanegra by Giuseppe Verdi, staged by Alex Ollé and La Fura dels Baus.