Rossini Opera Festival

The Rossini Opera Festival is the very famous event dedicated to opera music and the great works of the Pesaro artist Gioachino Rossini. The ROF 2022 edition will be number 43 and after all these years it continues to fascinate with its grandiose shows!

The ROF show is also confirmed for 2022 from 9 to 21 August with two new productions, Le Comte Ory (directed by Diego Matheuz; directed by Hugo de Ana) and Othello (directed by Yves Abel; directed by Rosetta Cucchi).

The origins of the opera festival

The Rossini Opera Festival was born in 1980 thanks to the Municipality of Pesaro which intended to give continuity to the work of the Rossini Foundation , which has always carried forward (since 1858, the year in which Gioachino Rossini left his inheritance through a will to the Municipality of Pesaro) the initiatives, the study and diffusion throughout the world of the works, memory and figure of the famous composer from Pesaro.

The Municipality of Pesaro managed the event for the first 5 years (until 1985), but subsequently the Rossini Opera Festival transformed into an autonomous body (in 1986) which was promoted by the municipal and provincial administration of Pesaro .

There have been numerous promoters of the event over time and currently the Rossini Opera Festival enjoys the high patronage of the President of the Republic.

The ROF today

Today the Rossini Opera Festival (abbreviated as ROF ) has become one of the most recognised, famous and important musical events at European level with a total focus around the figure of Gioachino.

Generally the event begins in the second week of August and lasts 2 weeks.
Each evening is dedicated to a famous work by the composer. The works performed at the theater vary every year with the result that it is possible to discover Rossini's entire musical repertoire during the different editions of the festival. In fact, each edition offers great classics but new and different works.

In this way it is possible to admire very famous opera performances such as the Barber of Seville , the Thieving Magpie , L'opportunity fa il ladro , Guglielmo Tell or the Italian Girl in Algiers, but also more unknown but equally fascinating works.

The ROF during and after the pandemic

During 2020 the ROF management opted to organize the show outdoors, taking advantage of the Piazza del Popolo in Pesaro.
In 2021 the organization was confirmed in the famous locations of the event, namely the Rossini Theater and the Vitrifrigo Arena, also in Pesaro. In addition to these two locations, a third has been added, namely the Scavolini Auditorium in Pesaro.

Where the ROF takes place

The ROF historically takes place inside the Rossini Theater in Pesaro (located in Piazza Lazzarini, 1), but in recent years the opera performances have also taken place inside the larger and more comfortable Vitrifrigo Arena in Pesaro (formerly Adriatic Arena) . Starting from 2021, a 3rd location will be added, namely the Scavolini auditorium in Pesaro.

Where to buy the ticket for the ROF

Tickets for the festival can generally be purchased online, via email, by telephone or at the ticket office:

• Tickets can be purchased online or via email to the public starting from May directly from the official website or by sending an email to boxoffice@rossinioperafestival.it indicating your name, surname, origin, email and telephone number ;
• Tickets can be purchased by telephone starting from July by calling 0721 3800243 ;
• Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office starting from August , at the box office ;

The sale of tickets opens in advance for the agencies starting from January and a few months later it is possible to purchase tickets in advance for the Friends and Supporters of the ROF (to which it is possible to join by paying an annual fee and thus accessing advantages, contents and exclusive events).

What are the prices of ROF tickets

The cost of tickets for ROF shows varies depending on the location:

• The cost of tickets for the Rossini Opera Festival at the Vitrifrigo Arena varies from €160 to €50 depending on the location of the seat booked;
• The cost of tickets for the Rossini Opera Festival at the Rossini Theater varies from €140 to €20 depending on the position of the seat booked (stall, stalls or gallery);

How can I receive information about the event?

The information service is active from Monday to Friday, from 10.00 to 13.00 and from 15.00 to 18.00.
Telephone: +39 0721 3800294
Fax: +39 0721 3800220
Email: boxoffice@rossinioperafestival.it

Which hotel to choose for the ROF?

If you are looking for a location where you can best stay during the ROF period, you can read interesting information on which hotel to book during the ROF.