The Opera Festival at the Arena di Verona kicks off with *La Traviata*

On the 13th in Piazza Duomo, the 12th “Concerto per Milano” by the Filarmonica della Scala, conducted by Riccardo Chailly. The programme features two beautiful works, Gershwin’s ‘Concerto in F’ and Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from ‘West Side Story’, alongside pieces by Rachmaninoff and Shostakovich. Free admission. Broadcast live (9.00 pm) on Rai RadioTre; and on 15 July on Rai 3.

The Milanlatinfestival runs until 15 August at the Mind Live Theatre, in the Expo 2015 area in Rho. The festival opens with Kany Garcia, the Puerto Rican singer-songwriter and winner of seven Latin Grammys, known for her ability to tell stories with depth and sensitivity. The festival is a journey into Latin American culture, featuring concerts, culture, dance and cuisine.

The Roma Summer Fest kicks off on 13 September at the Parco della Musica, with singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist Serena Brancale opening the event, blending jazz, soul and electronic music; It will conclude on 12 and 13 September with the return of the Dissonanze Festival, featuring pure sound experimentation, live performances and DJ sets spanning the global electronic music scene.

Highlights include four consecutive evenings with Ludovico Einaudi (19–22 June), Danny Elfman’s only Italian date performing the music from Tim Burton’s films (1 July), and the start of John Legend’s tour (2 July).

International rock, pop and metal form one of the cornerstones of the programme. On 29 June, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals take to the stage – one of the most authentic voices in contemporary American music, with his unmistakable blend of blues, rock and folk. On 6 July, Anastacia takes to the stage, whilst on 7 July, Europe bring their epic, melodic rock – which defined the 1980s – back to life. On 11 July, Dogstar return to the stage after more than twenty years with a new project blending alternative rock and renewed energy. On 13 July, the Village People will turn the concert into a collective party featuring timeless hits and pop imagery, whilst on 14 July, Marilyn Manson will deliver an intense and visionary performance, blending industrial rock with a provocative aesthetic. On 21 July, Kool & The Gang, legends of funk and disco, take to the stage.

There is also plenty of room for jazz. On 29 June, Stefano Bollani leads the All Stars. On 5 July, Pat Metheny takes to the stage with his guitar, whilst on 15 July Diana Krall will be performing, and on 18 July Jacob Collier explores the boundaries between jazz, pop and experimental music. On 20 July, Marcus Miller combines technique and groove in another tribute to Miles Davis, 100 years after his birth, and on 25 July, Gregory Porter takes to the stage.

Roma, Auditorium Parco della Musica 04 07 2011. Luglio suona Bene - Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band in concerto. ©Musacchio & Ianniello

And then there are the stars of the Italian music scene, kicking off on 15 June with Niccolò Fabi and wrapping up on 7 September with Levante.

Make way for alternative, indie and electronic sounds, kicking off on 17 June with Kneecap and their raw, distinctive hip hop.