The great operatic repertoire returns as a protagonist on the stage of the Teatro del Popolo in Castelfiorentino. On Friday, October 16, 2026, at 9:00 PM, the Gran Galà Lirico “Verismi” will be held, a concert of the highest artistic and educational value, dedicated to exploring one of the most intense seasons in the history of Italian music: Verism, between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries (free admission, welcome offer).
Promoted by the Association “Amici della Lirica Umberto Borsò”, with the contribution and patronage of the Municipality of Castelfiorentino, the event continues a tradition of concerts with historical-musicological themes (after the successes dedicated to Puccini in 2024, to Mozart and Salieri in 2025) offering a passionate journey through the symphonic, choral pages and the most famous arias written by Pietro Mascagni, Ruggero Leoncavallo, Umberto Giordano, Francesco Cilea, Alfredo Catalani and Giacomo Puccini.
The evening also takes on a profound historical and emotional significance for the Castellana community. The gala celebrates the 60° anniversary of the staging of Andrea Chénier which, in September 1966, saw the acclaimed tenor Umberto Borsò (who became an honorary citizen in 2015) triumph on the stage of the Teatro del Popolo. To pay homage to that event —still alive in the collective memory and evidenced by historic photographs of the time—, a large part of the program will be dedicated to Giordano’s masterpiece, enriched by a special video screening tribute to Maestro Borsò.
On stage, an internationally prestigious cast will alternate, led by the extraordinary presence of Massimo Cavalletti, a baritone acclaimed in the world’s major theatres (from La Scala in Milan to the Metropolitan in New York, up to London and Vienna).
Performing alongside him will be Alessia Battini (soprano), a young talent from Livorno and winner of the 3° “Umberto Borsò” International Prize; Silvia Pantani (soprano), a refined interpreter of the verismo and Puccini repertoire, already celebrated as the protagonist of Madama Butterfly at the Teatro del Popolo last April; Marco Miglietta (tenor), a renowned performer on major Italian and foreign stages specializing in the verismo and twentieth-century repertoire;
The musical group will see the participation of the Orpheus Orchestra and the Castellano Lyric Choir prepared by M° Nicoletta Cantini, all under the expert direction of M° Gabriele Centorbi.
“An evening dedicated to great opera – observed by the Mayor, Francesca Giannì, and the Councilor for Culture, Franco Spina – in which international artists and young talents will take the stage, giving rise to a musical concert of the highest caliber in which the historical memory of our theater will also be present, with a tribute to the tenor Umberto Borsò and the 60th° anniversary of his performance as Andrea Chénier. I sincerely thank the association “Amici della Lirica”, which in recent years has been able to recover and enhance one of Castelfiorentino’s most beautiful cultural traditions, and for the commitment with which it dedicates itself to organizing concert events and promoting new musical talent”.
Admission is free but reservations are recommended by writing to the email address premioborso@gmail.com.
