by InTrieste
As summer takes hold of this storied port city on the Adriatic, Trieste is throwing open the doors of its theaters, piazzas, and seaside promenades for Trieste Estate, a sprawling cultural festival featuring more than 300 events. And at the heart of its opening week stands one of Italy’s most beloved musical traditions: the operetta.
On Tuesday, June 17, the curtain rises at the city’s grand Politeama Rossetti theater for Cin Ci Là, a sparkling comic operetta that has enchanted Italian audiences for nearly a century. Presented by the Associazione Internazionale dell’Operetta FVG, the production marks the beginning of the annual Festival dell’Operetta — a fixture in Trieste’s cultural calendar and a nod to the city’s Austro-Hungarian heritage, when operetta reigned supreme.
Cin Ci Là, penned by Neapolitan impresario and librettist Carlo Lombardo with music by Venetian violinist Virgilio Ranzato, was an instant hit upon its debut in 1925 and remains a staple of Italian touring companies. Its blend of farcical comedy, romantic intrigue, and lush melodies embodies the light-hearted, escapist charm of the genre.
In this year’s production, soprano Marzia Postogna stars as the radiant titular character. She’s joined by Andrea Binetti as the mischievous Petit-gris, Ilaria Zanetti as Princess Mjosotis, and tenor Francesco Scalas in the role of the dashing Prince Ciclamino. The comic trio of Gualtiero Giorgini, Alessio Colautti, and Julian Sgherla deliver slapstick flair as Fon-ki, Blum, and the Mandarino — characters whose humorous misadventures anchor the operetta’s comedic rhythm. Rounding out the cast is Giulio Gessi as a delightfully self-important film director.
The production boasts a full orchestral accompaniment by the FVG Orchestra under the baton of Romolo Gessi. Andrea Binetti also serves as both director and adaptor, supported by Andrea Mistaro leading the chorus and choreography by Noemi Gaggi and Luca Miclausig. The lavish costumes and opulent stage sets are provided by the Fondazione Teatro Lirico Giuseppe Verdi di Trieste.
A second performance will be held Wednesday evening, June 18, again at the Rossetti Theater.
While Cin Ci Là pays tribute to Trieste’s enduring love affair with the operetta, the Trieste Estate program spans a wide range of genres and venues — from classical concerts in historic courtyards to electronic music on the Molo Audace. The festival runs through September, offering a kaleidoscope of cultural experiences that reflect the city’s unique blend of Mitteleuropean elegance and Mediterranean spirit.
For Trieste, a city often seen as Italy’s cultural outlier, Trieste Estate is more than a summer diversion. It’s a bold affirmation of the city’s identity — eclectic, theatrical, and endlessly curious.
