It is one of the most important Italian opera festivals.

The two first editions took place in 1921 and 1922, obtaining great success. However, due to the war, the festival was suspended and then started again only in 1967.

The festival takes place in the Sferisterio Arena, one of the main buildings of the city: an open-air Sphaeristerium, built to host sports matches and then used for concerts and performances.

The main focus is obviously the opera (2 or 3 per festival), but the festival also offers other kinds of performances (concerts, ballets and meetings).