The town of Valeggio sul Mincio is set to host the fifteenth edition of Stelle della Lirica, an eagerly awaited event in the local cultural landscape. The lyric concert, scheduled for August 18, will take place in the enchanting setting of the Parco Giardino Sigurtà, attracting enthusiasts not only from nearby provinces but also numerous tourists visiting the Lake Garda. This initiative, organized by the cultural association Arti e Mestieri Valeggio in collaboration with the Municipal Administration and the Proloco, serves as a cornerstone for the artistic enhancement of the area.
Details of the Musical Evening
The event will take place on Monday, August 18, starting at 8:30 PM. A large stage measuring 10×4 meters will be set up near the park entrance, ready to welcome an orchestra of over 30 musicians. The musical direction will be entrusted to Maestro Sebastiano Rolli, who will lead performances by nationally and internationally renowned singers. To ensure optimal viewing from every point in the audience, two large screens will be installed.
The repertoire for the evening will feature arias by famous composers such as Verdi, Puccini, and Donizetti. Special attention will be given to pieces from Bizet’s Carmen, in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the opera’s premiere. Before each performance, the audience will receive a brief introduction to the piece and the storyline of the respective opera.
The Candidacy for Italian Capital of Culture 2028
This event takes on even greater significance in light of an important initiative announced by the cultural advisor, Antonio De Gobbi. “Valeggio sul Mincio will be a candidate for Italian Capital of Culture 2028,” he stated, emphasizing how events of this caliber bring “prestige to this challenge” and will be included in the candidacy dossier. De Gobbi also mentioned the intention to create synergies with nearby municipalities such as Mantova and Verona to strengthen the project.
Mayor Alessandro Gardoni also expressed his support, stating, “Initiatives like this reflect our commitment to making culture a driving force for identity and development, which is the same spirit that led us to nominate Valeggio as the Italian Capital of Culture 2028.”
Voices of the Protagonists
Fabio Ciprian, president of the Arti e Mestieri Valeggio Association, highlighted the growing success of the event, which has previously attracted over 1,000 spectators, with a significant presence of foreign tourists. He emphasized the choice to feature mezzo-soprano Elisa Bonazzi for the performance of arias from Carmen, citing the uniqueness of her voice as “more structured, a bit richer.”
Giuseppe Inga Sigurtà recounted the origins of the concert, born from a relationship of collaboration and friendship, describing it as a “home-made” event capable of bringing prestigious names to the stage. He specified that the park does not retain any fees and that the proceeds are used to cover the costs of the artists.
Magda Inga Sigurtà praised this year’s cast, mentioning the experience of artists like Elisa Bonazzi, who has previously been directed by Riccardo Muti, and tenor Antonio Corianò. She also recalled upcoming events at the park, including “The Magical World of Cosplay” in September and “Children’s Day” in October.
New Developments and Projects at Parco Giardino Sigurtà
During the meeting, a new feature for the park’s autumn season was unveiled: a second “Tulipanomania” in its autumn version, the result of three years of experimentation. “In October, there will be an incredible bloom of over 100,000 tulips,” announced Giuseppe Inga Sigurtà, explaining that this is a record for the Northern Hemisphere. He also mentioned the positive balance of the 2025 season, with attendance exceeding that of the previous year despite the heat in July.
The Talents on Stage
The cast for the evening will feature highly esteemed artists.
- Elisa Bonazzi – Mezzo-soprano: Trained at the Conservatorio di Bologna, her repertoire spans from Baroque to contemporary music, collaborating with prominent conductors and ensembles.
- Antonio Corianò – Tenor: Discovered by Renata Scotto, he debuted in 2010 and has performed on prestigious stages such as the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma and La Scala in Milan, under the direction of Riccardo Muti.
- Lodovico Filippo Ravizza – Baritone: Winner of the 73rd ASLICO Competition, he has worked with renowned conductors such as Daniele Gatti and Zubin Mehta, gracing the stage of La Scala.
- Anna Ciprian – Soprano: A young talent from the area, she recently debuted at the Teatro Verdi in Trieste and has already performed in the 2023 and 2024 editions of “Stelle della Lirica.”
- Sebastiano Rolli – Conductor: Considered a leading interpreter of Donizetti, Bellini, and Verdi, he has conducted orchestras in theaters around the world.
- L’Orchestra dei Colli Morenici: Founded in 2006, this versatile ensemble consists of musicians from Mantova and has collaborated with Parco Giardino Sigurtà for many years.
Ticket Information
Tickets for the concert are available for 15 euros. For purchase, please contact the Proloco of Valeggio sul Mincio by calling 045795 1880 or emailing artiemestierivaleggio@gmail.com. The office is open from Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM, as well as Saturday mornings.
Italian Version
