Summer nights at Massenzio

After 47 years, the summer season of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia returns to the majestic Basilica di Massenzio for a month of open-air concerts under the Roman sky. From 2 July, an international lineup celebrates great composers— Tchaikovsky, Verdi, Gershwin, Chopin, Mozart, Handel, and Vivaldi—alongside film scores by two-time Oscar winner Alexandre Desplat.

Begun by emperor Maxentius around 306 AD and completed by Constantine, the Basilica is a massive imperial building used for administrative and judicial functions, showcasing advanced Roman engineering with huge vaulted ceilings and concrete construction.

Opening night (2 July) features conductor Manfred Honeck and pianist Alexander Malofeev in an all-Tchaikovsky gala. Other highlights of the month include a genre-blending “Four Seasons Hip-Hop” (4 July) by Mourad Merzouki; Desplat conducting his own iconic film music (9 July); and a Verdi tribute (15 July) led by Diego Ceretta. Music Director Daniel Harding takes the podium on 17 July with pianist Stefano Bollani for Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, paired with Maurice Ravel and Modest Mussorgsky. Pianist Martina Meola headlines a Chopin evening (21 July), followed by Mozart’s Requiem (24 July) under Jérémie Rhorer and a Baroque finale (29 July) with Concerto Köln. And with its purpose-built stage, featuring semicircular seating for a full orchestra and a choral platform in the apse, the ancient basilica transforms into a striking symphonic venue. All concerts begin at 9pm.

santacecilia.it/massenzio