ORT: New Year’s Day Concert

On Thursday, January 1 at 5:00 pm, Florence’s Teatro Verdi comes to life with music as the Orchestra della Toscana (ORT) welcomes in the New Year with a special concert combining the power of opera singing with the richness of symphonic music. An afternoon designed to thrill, delight and celebrate the beginning of 2026 with artistic talent.

On the podium, Diego Ceretta, Principal Conductor of the ORT, leads the orchestra in a program that spans styles, eras and sensibilities—from the delicate melodies of Vincenzo Bellini to the majestic pages of Richard Wagner, via the brilliant theatricality of Gaetano Donizetti, the emotional depth of Giacomo Puccini and the dramatic force of Giuseppe Verdi.

Accompanying the orchestra are two young voices already established on the international opera scene: soprano Giuliana Gianfaldoni and tenor Riccardo Della Sciucca. Both leading performers in major Italian and European theaters, they will bring arias and cabalettas to the stage sure to thrill both longtime fans and those approaching the world of opera for the first time.

The program encompasses immortal masterpieces—from the Overture of Bellini’s Norma to well-known arias such as Ah! Non Credea Mirarti, Wagner’s Lohengrin (Prelude to Act III), and Verdi’s famous Prelude and Ballet from Macbeth. The program is interwoven with light and lively moments with Libiamo, ne’ lieti calici from Verdi’s Traviata and the Intermezzo from Puccini’s Manon Lescaut, scheduled as an encore to close the evening with joy and vitality.

The choice of repertoire emphasizes lyrical intensity, beauty of timbre and melodic invention, without sacrificing moments of energy and momentum.

Details:

• Tickets are available online and from Ticketone outlets or at the Teatro Verdi Box Office (phone +39 055 212320)
• Ticket costs range from €15 to €35 depending on the seating tiers