Flowers, feasts, and gorgeous music—June is a marvelous time to be in Rome.
Infiorata di Genzano – Saturday 18 to Monday 20
For over two centuries the nearby town of Genzano has held an unforgettable festival on the anniversary of the Feast of Corpus Domini that celebrates art, nature, and above all, tradition.For one delightful weekend in June, Genzano’s Via Belardi is decorated with petals and seeds from over half a million flowers to form a breathtaking flower “carpet,” creating intricate works of art. Visit early Sunday morning to see the petals being arranged, then stop back in late afternoon when the designs are finished to reveal a gorgeous patchwork of religious designs. The festival is capped off with a parade down the floral carpet.
Festa della Repubblica – Thursday 2
Here in Rome, the national holiday isn’t spent watching fireworks or eating hot dogs but instead with a spectacular military parade along Via dei Fori Imperiali, an aeronautical display over the Colosseum featuring smoke trails in Italy’s patriotic red, green, and white. You can also commemorate the 73rd year of Italy’s decision to become a republic with a (free!) visit to the presidential gardens at Palazzo Quirinale, a site only open one day a year. Be sure to get there early! festadellarepubblica.it
Pantheon Roses – Sunday 5
Inside the best preserved and arguably most beautiful ancient building in Rome, a tradition takes place that you won’t want to miss. Every year (with the exception of the last two), following the 10:30am mass for the Feast of Pentecost, members of the Rome Fire Department climb to the top of the Pantheon and send tens of thousands of red rose petals fluttering down through Pantheon’s oculus, creating a magnificent spectacle for those lucky enough to get inside in time. The rose petal shower symbolizes the Holy Spirit’s descent to Earth. Arrive early to secure your spot.
Paul Lewis Plays Grieg – From Thursday 16 to Saturday 18
The unmistakable first chords of Edvard Grieg’s masterpiece, the Piano Concerto in A minor, would send chills down any classical music-lover’s spine, but even more so when performed live by a true titan of the piano repertoire like Paul Lewis. Internationally regarded as one of the leading musicians of his generation, the British pianist will perform the concerto with the Santa Cecilia Academy Orchestra, his compatriot Maestro Daniel Harding at the podium. Also on the bill is Richard Strauss’s remarkable tone poem, Ein Heldenleben. For more information and to book tickets, visit santacecilia.it.
Paolo Conte – Sunday 12 and Monday 13
The highly anticipated Roma Summer Music Fest at the Auditorium PDM, Rome’s premier performance venue, kicks off with a concert by legendary Paolo Conte. This unmissable show provides all the irresistible charm and unmistakable vocal timbre of one of the best-loved Italian singers of the second half of the 20th century and beyond. Conte appears on the outdoor stage of the Auditorium’s Cavea with an orchestral ensemble of eleven exceptional musicians on guitars, oboe, bassoon, saxophones, flute, accordion, keyboards, percussion, marimba, cello, bandoneon, violin, double bass, and clarinet. You’ll have a hard time resisting the urge to hum along to the singer-songwriter’s many hits, such as Hemingway, Sotto Le Stelle del Jazz, Come Di, Aguaplano, Max, Gioco d’Azzardo, Dancing, Madeleine, Genova per Noi, Via con Me, Reveries, Gli Impermeabili, Le Chic et le Charme, and many more. auditorium.com
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