As part of its long-standing tradition, the Festival della Valle d’Itria once again celebrates two outstanding figures from the world of music and culture with the D’Arcangelo Award and the Bacco dei Borboni Award.

The “Lorenzo and Pasquale D’Arcangelo” Journalism Award will be presented to Eva Pleus, a Viennese-born music critic based in Milan. A contributor to several leading Italian and German publications—such as Der neue Merker, L’Opera, and Der Opernfreund—Pleus has been a passionate and constant presence at the Festival since 2010, documenting its artistic evolution with insight and dedication.
The ceremony will take place on Monday, July 28 at 6:00 PM at Park Hotel San Michele, Martina Franca, followed by the traditional press toast and the official award presentation.

On Thursday, July 31 at 6:30 PM, again at the Park Hotel, the “Bacco dei Borboni” Award, curated by the Circolo Voltaire Association, will be awarded to Sesto Quatrini, one of the most acclaimed Italian conductors of his generation. Born in Rome in 1984, Quatrini made his debut at the Festival in 2017 with Un giorno di regno by Verdi, followed by productions including Giulietta e Romeo, Coscoletto, and Ecuba. Former artistic director of the Lithuanian National Opera, he now conducts in major international venues such as the Royal Opera House in London, the Zurich Opera House, and Teatro alla Scala in Milan.
As per tradition, the award presentation will be followed by a convivial toast.

Two prestigious moments that underscore the Festival’s commitment to celebrating talent and honoring those who contribute meaningfully to the world of opera and classical music.