Those who have found a vacation rental in Volterra or a vacation rental in Pisa and who are using their rentals as a base from which to explore the wider region of Tuscany should definitely note that both locations are around thirty minutes from a Tuscan town that we doubt you have ever heard of before but that many, no doubt, would like to visit! This is the town of Lajatico.
Not only is Lajatico a beautiful medieval Tuscan village but it also gave rise to one of Tuscany's most beloved and famous sons in recent decades: Andrea Bocelli. As the birthplace of the famous Italian opera singer it will certainly be a place of interest to super-fans but, also, once a year in July, it becomes a major pilgrimage spot for music-lovers from all over the globe when it holds an extraordinary annual concert.
Not only is Lajatico a beautiful medieval Tuscan village but it also gave rise to one of Tuscany's most beloved and famous sons in recent decades: Andrea Bocelli. As the birthplace of the famous Italian opera singer it will certainly be a place of interest to super-fans but, also, once a year in July, it becomes a major pilgrimage spot for music-lovers from all over the globe when it holds an extraordinary annual concert.
Since 2006, Bocelli himself has part of organising a special musical performance each year and both convinced the municipality to allow it and has supported the construction of the stage and the hosting of performances. Located in an incredible part of the Volterra hinterland, in a natural amphitheatre that is set among the kind of picturesque and beautiful, rolling hillscape for which the Tuscan countryside is so well-known, this unique venue is called the Teatro del Silenzio (the, “Theatre of Silence”). Using the natural configuration of this hilly part of the region, the natural hemicycle nestled in the meeting point between several slopes is home to a man-made lake and ever-changing, large-scale sculptural pieces by some of the most famous contemporary artists in the world from the likes of Igor Mitoraj to Arnaldo Pomodoro to Mario Ceroli to Hans Peter Ditzler. During July, when the annual performances are due to take place, a stage is temporarily erected overtop and wonderful sets are built.
For the rest of the year, however, the lake remains uncovered and some sculptural pieces often remain on the site alone and, without the thousands of spectators and dozens of members of the crew and the various performers, it is rarely crowded. In fact, it is a particularly peaceful and tranquil spot and nature is what is normally allowed to take centre stage. While there is a grand cacophony of sound on the site every July, for the vast majority of the year, it is, instead, a theatre of silence. Ergo, the name.
Understandably, this year's performance will not be going ahead as per usual while governments continue to tackle COVID-19 and it is necessary to maintain social-distancing. However, next year's performances at the Teatro del Silenzio have already been scheduled for the 22nd and the 24th of July 2021. This concert by Bocelli (naturally there will also likely be some VIP guests and friends from the music world who will attend and perform) will be titled, “Il Mistero della Bellezza,” (“The Mystery of Beauty”) and is a rescheduling of the show that was due to take place this summer. It will be the 15th edition of the special concert series in the Teatro del Silenzio.
If you are looking ahead to next summer for a holiday in Tuscany, you might try and schedule it around the time of the performance to experience one of these extraordinary concerts for yourself. However, if you are visiting this part of Tuscany at any other time of the year, we do still recommend heading to the Teatro del Silenzio to experience its impressive natural beauty and tranquility and to see just how aptly named it really is. For fans of art, beauty, music, Bocelli, Tuscan landscapes, and peace and quiet, this unique gem is a must-see.
For the rest of the year, however, the lake remains uncovered and some sculptural pieces often remain on the site alone and, without the thousands of spectators and dozens of members of the crew and the various performers, it is rarely crowded. In fact, it is a particularly peaceful and tranquil spot and nature is what is normally allowed to take centre stage. While there is a grand cacophony of sound on the site every July, for the vast majority of the year, it is, instead, a theatre of silence. Ergo, the name.
Understandably, this year's performance will not be going ahead as per usual while governments continue to tackle COVID-19 and it is necessary to maintain social-distancing. However, next year's performances at the Teatro del Silenzio have already been scheduled for the 22nd and the 24th of July 2021. This concert by Bocelli (naturally there will also likely be some VIP guests and friends from the music world who will attend and perform) will be titled, “Il Mistero della Bellezza,” (“The Mystery of Beauty”) and is a rescheduling of the show that was due to take place this summer. It will be the 15th edition of the special concert series in the Teatro del Silenzio.
If you are looking ahead to next summer for a holiday in Tuscany, you might try and schedule it around the time of the performance to experience one of these extraordinary concerts for yourself. However, if you are visiting this part of Tuscany at any other time of the year, we do still recommend heading to the Teatro del Silenzio to experience its impressive natural beauty and tranquility and to see just how aptly named it really is. For fans of art, beauty, music, Bocelli, Tuscan landscapes, and peace and quiet, this unique gem is a must-see.
Photo credit:
Graziella taibi / CC BY-SA 4.0
