Classical music in Ravello
24 July 2026, 8:00 pm – Villa Rufolo Belvedere, Ravello
One of Italy’s leading orchestras, two works rich in colour and imagination, and an open-air stage overlooking the Amalfi Coast.
On Friday 24 July at 8:00 pm, the RAI National Symphony Orchestra will perform at the 2026 Ravello Festival under the baton of Emmanuel Tjeknavorian. Presented as an Italian exclusive, the concert forms part of the festival’s 74th edition and of the Veolia Earth Legacy Concert programme.
An evening of orchestral colour at Villa Rufolo
The programme brings together a selection from Aram Khachaturian’s ballet suites “Gayaneh” and Modest Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition”, performed in Maurice Ravel’s celebrated orchestration.
Khachaturian’s music is driven by dance rhythms, vivid contrasts and a strong sense of movement. “Pictures at an Exhibition” takes a different route, leading the audience through an imaginary gallery in which each musical scene has its own atmosphere, scale and character.
Ravel’s orchestration transforms Mussorgsky’s original piano score into a broad palette of instrumental colour. Strings, woodwind, brass and percussion continually reshape the sound, making the work engaging even for listeners who do not regularly attend classical concerts.
The setting adds another dimension to the evening. Overlooking the sea and the coastline, the Belvedere of Villa Rufolo is not simply a concert venue: it is one of the places that has helped shape Ravello’s international reputation as a town of music.
Why experience this concert in Ravello?
To hear one of Italy’s foremost symphony orchestras conducted by an internationally established musician.
To discover two highly visual compositions in which rhythm, instrumental colour and changing atmosphere make the music accessible without specialist knowledge.
To experience Villa Rufolo’s Belvedere as a musical space, where the landscape becomes part of Ravello’s long-standing relationship with live performance.
What to combine with your visit
Spend the afternoon exploring Villa Rufolo, from its cloister and Torre Maggiore to the gardens overlooking the coast.
Until 5 September 2026, the villa is also hosting an exhibition devoted to William Kentridge, one of the most influential figures in contemporary art. Created in collaboration with Galleria Lia Rumma, the exhibition unfolds across Villa Rufolo’s indoor and outdoor spaces and is included in the standard admission ticket. Opening hours are generally from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, with last admission at 7:30 pm, although they may change on concert days.
Walk through Ravello’s historic centre and follow in the footsteps of Jacqueline Kennedy, who stayed at Palazzo Episcopio during her time in the town. In the main square, Bar Santo Domingo still displays a photograph of the former US First Lady sitting at one of its outdoor tables with Gianni Agnelli during an evening aperitivo.
Visit Villa Cimbrone and the Terrace of Infinity, allowing enough time to return to Villa Rufolo before the doors open.
Language note
This is an orchestral concert, so no knowledge of Italian is required to enjoy the performance.
The Ravello Festival regularly welcomes an international audience, and its ticketing and front-of-house services are accustomed to assisting visitors from outside Italy.
Practical information
Date: Friday 24 July 2026
Time: 8:00 pm
Venue: Villa Rufolo Belvedere, Ravello
Orchestra: RAI National Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Emmanuel Tjeknavorian
Programme: music by Aram Khachaturian and Modest Mussorgsky, in Maurice Ravel’s orchestration
Festival: 74th Ravello Festival – Veolia Earth Legacy Concert
Admission: numbered seating, €60. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online through the Fondazione Ravello ticketing platform.
Doors open: 30 minutes before the concert
Tickets: not personalised and non-refundable
In case of bad weather: the concert will move to the Oscar Niemeyer Auditorium.
