Macerata Opera Festival records attendance rise as Macchiagodena promotes medieval castle and literary terrace

The Macerata Opera Festival concluded with a notable increase of 1,600 spectators, generating an additional €48,000 in ticket revenue. Superintendent Lucia Chiatti highlighted the growth, while artistic director Marco Vinco praised the season’s sold‑out performances, including debuts by Anastasia Bartoli and Alberto Comes. Mayor Sandro Parcaroli noted the festival’s role in boosting cultural visibility and attracting both national and international audiences. President Sergio Mattarella also awarded the gold medal to the festival’s cultural contributors.

In the Molise region, the small town of Macchiagodena, known as the “Terrace on the Matese,” offers visitors a medieval castle perched on a limestone outcrop, a 13th‑century lion statue, and the historic Church of San Nicola. The community has created a “Terrace of Reading,” an open‑air literary lounge featuring book‑crossing benches and literary quotations, further enhancing its cultural tourism appeal.