Umbria Jazz features great female voices

Umbria Jazz kicks off, a festival that hosts international stars, young up-and-comers, rock guitar virtuosos, orthodox and transversal jazz, classics and innovators, quality pop, music to excite and entertain, great voices that have been on the scene for some time or have recently emerged, black music in its various forms, refined chamber music and wild entertainers. And lots of free music (more than half of the approximately 250 events on the bill). Not far away, one of the masters of 20th-century cultured music, Pierre Boulez, is at the centre of the Accademia Chigiana Festival in Siena. Another change of music, ancient music in Milanese churches, with the Milano Arte Musica Festival.

Until 20 July Umbria Jazz. Voices are the great protagonists at the Santa Giuliana Arena. Female voices in primis with Africa's premier diva Angélique Kidjo, the unique style between jazz and R&B of Dianne Reeves, the refinement of Samara Joy, the multifaceted talent of Ledisi; and male voices with Gregory Porter and Kurt Elling, together with the Yellowjackets, as well as Lionel Richie and Mika. And then the big names of jazz: Herbie Hancock, Stefano Bollani with a new band, Kamasi Washington, Candy Dulfer. Completing the line-up are Thee Sacred Souls, very young interpreters of a sound that moves between soul and groove, on their second album; and Patagarri, with their joyful and infectious gypsy jazz.

Jazz, in its various facets, has always been at the heart of the Morlacchi Theatre programme: Isaiah Collier, Sullivan Fortner, Johnathan Blake, Jazzmeia Horn, Immanuel Wilkins, Mark Turner, Ambrose Akinmusire. Italian jazz will be represented by Enrico Rava, in duo with Fred Hersch; and by Paolo Fresu, with Omar Sosa.

Until 2 September the Accademia Chigiana Festival. Among the numerous concerts we highlight the important focus on Pierre Boulez, on the centenary of his birth. As many as 18 of his compositions will be performed, including "Domaines", "Anthèmes 1 and 2" (16.07 and 20.08), with Ilya Gringolts; "Deux études de musique concrete" and "Dialogue de l'ombre double", with Paolo Ravaglia in the Church of St. Augustine (21.07); the masterpiece for string quartet "Livre pour quatour" will be played by the MDI Ensemble (23.07); the liquid architecture of "Sur Incises" with harpist Fabrice Pierre, flanked by Emanuela Battigelli and Stefania Scapin, the Chigiana Keyboard Ensemble flanked by pianist Ciro Longobardi and the Chigiana Percussion Ensemble, conducted by Andrea Molino; "Dérive 1" and "Mémoriale (... explosante-fixe ... Originel)" in two versions (17.07 and 1.08), with flutists Patrick Gallois and Roberto Fabbriciani. Furthermore, crucial works involving the piano, such as Deuxième Sonate, Incises, Douze Notations, performed by Anton Gerzenberg; 'Sonatine' for flute and piano, with Gerzenberg and Matteo Cesari (11.08 - 12.08) and 'Structure I' for two pianos (18.08), with Stefania Redaelli and Maria Grazia Bellocchio.

Siena Palazzo Chigi Saracini

Until 27 August the 19th edition of Milano Arte Musica, festival of early music, twenty-four appointments distributed among eight venues. On the 15th in S. Maria della Passione, the integral performance of all compositions for keyboards (harpsichord and organ) by J.S. Bach continues.