Vincenzo Bellini, symbol of romantic melodrama, becomes the soul of cultural tourism, planetary testimonial of the image of the island.
Its belonging to the island of international resonance is – since three seasons now – one of the strenghts points on which the Sicilian Region configures its peculiar cultural and artistic identity, which finds in the universal language of Music a way to conquer the global audience. This is the mission of the prestigious exhibition dedicated to the Catania’s Swan, strongly wanted by the president Nello Musumeci and the Councillor for Tourism, Sport and Entertainment Manlio Messina, with the full support of the Regional Council. First rate stars and an offer with a rigorous philological approach enrich the 2022 program, which aims to frame the role of the Etnean composer in the European proto-Romantic competition in which his figure is framed, broadening, at the same time, the horizon to the influences that his innovative creativity would have had on the future musical theater to come. Hence the title of the event, called Bellini International Context, because it is built around the multidisciplinary context, which moves from the golden age of Belcanto to get to grasp the legacy and subsequent influence exerted on authors such as Verdi and Wagner.

A fascinating investigation that, starting from the musical suggestions, traces and “contextualises” this guideline, opening to interesting contamination between various disciplines such as cinema, prose, dance, and also providing themed exhibitions and meetings with scholars and experts.
An articulated and composite project, promoted by the Regional Government through the Department of Tourism, Sport and Entertainment, which has catalyzed the synergy of the Municipality and the Archdiocese of Catania, the City of Taormina and the main theatrical and cultural institutions: Teatro Massimo Bellini of Catania, Teatro Massimo of Palermo, Teatro Vittorio Emanuele of Messina, University of Catania, Fondazione Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana, Fondazione Taormina Arte Sicilia, Istituto Superiore di Studi Musicali “Vincenzo Bellini” of Catania, Conservatory “Arcangelo Corelli” of Messina.
The artistic direction is by Fabrizio Maria Carminati, conductor of international importance. Project manager of the festival is Gianna Fratta, well-known conductor.