Any classical musician or lover of classical music will
tell you that Europe was the birth place to most of the
classical greats we know and appreciate today.

Unlike poets, writers, or artists, classical composers and
musicians achieved notoriety for their works within their
life time, and their music continues to flood our air
waves. Some of greatest composers of all time, Tchaikovsky
who wrote many great plays including the Nutcracker to
Vivaldi who wrote The Four Seasons, were born and trained
in Europe.

Any trip to Europe should include a live classical music
performance, preferably at a festival. Today, there are
many classical festivals to choose from, all celebrating
the long European lineage of legends and looking forward to
what the classical world holds in its future.

1. Bach Festival (www.bachfestleipzi g.de ) Leipzig,
Germany- Enjoy the sounds of the renowned composer with
performances by the Academy of Ancient Music. There will
also be performances from Handel and Vivaldi. Free daytime
organ recitals will be available.

2. Puccini Festival (www.puccinifestiva l.it ) Torre del
Lago, Italy- To satisfy your craving for high notes and
drama, treat yourself to an opera performance. Celebrating
the 150th anniversary of Puccini's birth, the Puccinni
Festival is full of performances from Puccinni's
repertoire. In addition to seeing great performances, you
will be able to take a tour of Puccini's lake side villa,
which has been preserved as a museum, open to the public.

3. Salzburg Festival (www.salzburgfestiv al.at) Salzburg,
Austria- Home to some of the most impressive churches and
performance halls, Austria offers a culture rich in
classical music. The Vienna Philharmonic will perform many
works, including music by Wagner and Messiaen.

4. Monteverdi Festival(www. teatroponchielli .it) Cremona,
Italy - In honor of one of the godfathers of Opera, Claudio
Monteverdi, this 3 week festival mixes in many of the more
famous 17 century classical works with the dramatic
romanticism of the time period.

5. Richard Wagner Festival (www.bayreuther- festspiele. de)
Bayreuth, Germany - Listen to the ear pleasing notes of
Christian Thielemann who sets the atmosphere with the Ring
Cycle. While you're there, visit the eloquent Baroque Opera
House and immerse yourself in the Hermitage gardens.

Europe has a strong appreciation for classical music, so
seeing a live performance of your favorite classical
performer is feasible for a quick European jaunt or a
lengthy tour of the continent. There are both expensive
performances and free performances because Europeans truly
believe that classical music should be shared amongst
everyone.