The Music of Ravenna Tour

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A Cultural and Musical Journey During the Ravenna Festival – September Edition

Immerse yourself in the soundscape of Ravenna, a city where history, art and music intertwine. This experience takes place during the Ravenna Festival and combines language, culture and performance. From the early Christian chants of Byzantium to the modern brilliance of Riccardo Muti, you will explore Ravenna’s rich musical heritage through learning, listening and live experience.

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Tour Overview

Dates: September (aligned with the Ravenna Festival programme)
Duration: Full-day experience, adaptable to two or three days
Ideal For: Music lovers, students, Italian learners and cultural travellers
Language Level: Intermediate Italian preferred; beginner-friendly options available
Group Size: Maximum of 10 participants for intimate access to performances and venues.

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Morning: Italian Through Music (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM)

Location: Conservatorio “Giuseppe Verdi” or a private music salon in central Ravenna

Begin the day with Italian language lessons set to a musical theme. Explore the vocabulary of melody, rhythm and harmony while learning about Ravenna’s place in Italy’s musical history.

Highlights:

• Italian lessons focused on musical terminology, composer biographies and cultural context

• Study of Ravenna’s early Christian liturgical music and the operatic legacy of Emilia-Romagna

• Insights into the work of contemporary maestros such as Riccardo Muti

• Vocabulary for attending concerts, discussing instruments and reading Italian music reviews

Includes:
Audio excerpts (Gregorian chant, Verdi, Respighi, Muti), printed materials, lyrics, guided listening, and light refreshments.

 

Lunch: Music and Flavours of Romagna (12:15 PM – 1:45 PM)

Location: Osteria del Tempo Perso or Al Cairoli, both near the festival venues

Enjoy a leisurely lunch where each course echoes a musical theme. Dishes are inspired by Italian composers and regional traditions, served in elegant yet relaxed surroundings.

Sample Menu:

• Parmigiana di melanzane

• Risotto alla Rossini (duck and truffle, inspired by the composer)

• Panforte with a local liqueur

Soft classical music plays in the background while you review your new Italian vocabulary for music and conversation. Garden seating is available in good weather.

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Afternoon: Musical Excursions (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM)

Choose between two immersive cultural experiences:

Option 1 – “Sound and Stone” Walking Tour
A guided exploration of Ravenna’s musical and spiritual heritage, featuring:

• Basilica di San Vitale – an acoustic marvel and home to early sacred music

• Mausoleo di Galla Placidia – mosaic ceilings paired with sacred choral recordings

• Dante’s Tomb – stories of poets and composers inspired by his work

• A visit to a local luthier or artisan music shop (subject to availability)

Option 2 – Music and Mosaics Workshop
Location: MAR – Museo d'Arte della città di Ravenna
A hands-on workshop combining art and sound. Participants create a mosaic tile inspired by musical rhythm and pattern, accompanied by curated playlists from Ravenna’s past. The session includes a short talk on the relationship between rhythm and design in Byzantine art.

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Coffee and Conversation Break (4:00 PM – 4:45 PM)

Location: Pasticceria Ferri or Caffè Letterario

Relax with an espresso or cappuccino and a selection of local dolci classici. Enjoy informal conversation with your guide about the evening concert, Riccardo Muti’s musical legacy and Italian concert etiquette. Participants receive a short vocabulary and etiquette guide to prepare for the performance.

 

Evening: Ravenna Festival Performance (6:00 PM – 9:30 PM)

Location: Teatro Alighieri or Basilica di San Vitale

Experience the Ravenna Festival’s signature event: a live concert conducted by Riccardo Muti, often featuring the Luigi Cherubini Youth Orchestra. Past performances have included Verdi’s Requiem, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Mozart’s Requiem.

The experience includes assistance with ticket booking, a printed programme in Italian and English, and recommendations for a nearby enoteca for post-concert wine and discussion.

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Practical Information

• Dress Code for Concerts: Smart casual or semi-formal

• Bring: Notebook, water bottle and Italian phrasebook or app

• Language Tip: Learn terms such as maestro, partitura, orchestra, brano and direttore d’orchestra

• Book Early: Festival tickets, particularly for Riccardo Muti’s performances, sell out quickly

• Best Souvenir: A festival poster or CD recording from the Ravenna Festival archive

• Insider Tip: Some rehearsals are open to the public – ask your guide about access during your visit

 

Pricing (Per Person)

ExperiencePrice (£)

Morning Italian and music session50

Lunch with musical theme45

Afternoon excursion or workshop35

Coffee and conversation break8

Evening concert70

Approximate Total£208

Group discounts, student rates and private arrangements are available.

Ready to experience the music of Ravenna?
Discover full details, availability and booking information through the partner link below.