Monteverdi Festival named finalist for International Opera Awards

The Monteverdi Festival in Cremona has been named a finalist for the 2026 International Opera Awards in the Festival category. The awards, often referred to as the ‘Oscars of opera,’ recognize outstanding contributors to the international operatic scene.

The festival's 43rd edition, titled ‘Cantami, o Diva!’, concluded in June 2026. The program featured over 30 events, including an inaugural gala concert by Cecilia Bartoli and four major opera productions, such as Claudio Monteverdi’s ‘L’incoronazione di Poppea’ and Francesco Cavalli’s ‘Le nozze di Teti e Peleo’.

Andrea Virgilio, the Mayor of Cremona and President of the Fondazione Teatro Ponchielli, noted that the recognition validates a model of territorial valorization that integrates ancient music into the city's urban, touristic, and economic fabric. The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 21, at the MusikTheater an der Wien in Vienna.