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Perugia s Unforgettable Umbrian Jazz Festival
very July, Perugia hosts known as the Giardini Carducci.
the Umbria Jazz Festival, The streets are still crowded
one of the most popular well after midnight, with
jazz events in Europe. And every appreciative music fans enjoying
year since 1973, this beautiful impromptu concerts and singing,
medieval hill city has drawn dancing, eating and drinking.
thousands of music lovers, young
and old, from all over the world, The best jazz can be heard in two
to play and hear all styles of magnificent opera houses, the
jazz. Local performers get a 18th-century Teatro Morlacchi,
chance to jam with the experts and Teatro Pavone, dating from
and the streets are filled with the 19th-century. These
people carrying instruments to wonderfully elegant spaces with
concerts and music sessions. their domed ceilings and several
storeys of box seats, make your
Along with the indoor musical experience all the more
paid-entrance venues, the memorable. In contrast, you can
festival offers many outdoor also hear big name performers
concerts free to the public – a play in the sports stadium, the
generous offer that makes a visit Santa Guiliana Arena, that holds
to this festival much less up to 5,000 people, but you will
expensive that it might otherwise have to book early for good
be. From the middle of the day seats. Tickets are required for
until late at night, you’ll be most performances, but since
entertained by top quality prices can be as little as 10
musical performances. These can euro, concerts are very
be found along the Corso Vannucci affordable.
and in the Piazza IV Novembre –
the city’s historic main square – You will also find jazz being
as well as the public gardens, played in smaller, more intimate
venues, such as the Rocca Paolina and join in.
(the small Cannon Room of a
half-ruined 16th-century And if you feel the need of a few
fortress), and many restaurants, quiet moments, you could take a
cafes and hotels. Here you can trip out into the beautiful
hear jazz at its intimate best, countryside, where rolling hills
while you savour delicious are dotted with castles,
regional specialities, made with fortresses and monasteries, and
fresh local produce. Be sure to quality handmade ceramics are
sample the excellent local wines, produced in enchanting medieval
including vernino, grechetto, towns. Umbria is every bit as
trebbiano, arco del sovrano, and interesting as Tuscany, but lots
fratte. The many pastry shops less touristic.
offer special goodies in the
shape of guitars and saxophones, The excellent festival website
and the museums feature jazz (www.umbriajazz.com) publishes
though paintings, photography and details of the current year’s
exhibitions – you’ll find jazz programme as soon as performances
everywhere. are confirmed in May. Some of the
jazz greats scheduled for 2007
But even when there are no jazz include: George Benson, Solomon
concerts scheduled, shops, cafes, Burke, Dave Douglas, Keb’ Mo’,
bars, museums and public spaces Sonny Rollins, Keith Jarrett,
resound with popular music of all Ornette Coleman, Pat Methany,
kinds – soul R&B, blues, gospel, Gary Peacock, Brad Mehldau, Joe
pop and rock – as well as jazz. Lovano, Al Jarreau, and Jack
Everywhere you go, it’s a Dejohnette – all very popular
veritable feast of music and jazz artists, so be sure to book
families, workers, and musicians early. Top off your visit with an
of all ages stop to watch, listen unforgettable closing night
performance at the Santa Guiliana entrance to the train station.
Arena. You can get cheap flights from
Rome and Florence and other
You can take the bus or train domestic connections, plus some
from all major cities to Perugia. international flights, but be
The main train station is about 3 sure to book well in advance for
km from the centre of the city, this immensely popular festival.
so take a bus from outside the
About the Author:
Rod Ritchie writes for many publishers including AA Publishing and Fodors. Cottages to Castles offer high quality Umbria villas and Umbria vacation rentals.
Read more articles by: R. Ritchie
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