This year’s festival will feature an incredible roster of artists, including Joshua Bell, José Cura, Stéphane Denève, Elïna Garanča, Emmanuelle Haïm, Angelika Kirchschlager, Nina Kotova, Viktoria Mullova, Anna Netrebko, the Takács Quartet, Jean-Yves Thibaudet and Nikolaj Znaider.

In addition to major outdoor events, the Tuscan Sun Festival’s musical programme will offer smaller concerts in the Teatro Signorelli, an intimate performing space in the heart of Cortona.

Such diverse and memorable venues will highlight the innumerable talents of the performers while enhancing the full cultural experience of the audiences.

Known for enriching offerings beyond its musical programme, the Tuscan Sun Festival will also include unique culinary and literary events, wine tastings, receptions, yoga sessions and art exhibitions that will take place not only throughout the town of Cortona, but in the picturesque surrounding towns and landscapes as well.

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ELÏNA GARANCA	VIKTORIA MULLOVA	NIKOLAJ ZNAIDER

Festival Founder and Chairman of IMG Artists Barrett Wissman said of the anniversary, "The Tuscan Sun Festival is a unique annual celebration of the arts set against the backdrop of the beautiful landscape of Tuscany. We are honoured to have Sophia Loren open the Festival this year. Her presence is testament to the international stature the Tuscan Sun Festival has achieved, and we are proud that the Festival is now celebrating its fifth anniversary year."

In addition to the glowing roster of soloists that will appear, the Tuscan Sun Festival welcomes two new orchestras to the fifth year celebrations: The Venice Baroque Orchestra, under the leadership of Andrea Marcon, and le Concert d’Astreé, led by Emmanuelle Haïm. The Russian National Orchestra will also return in 2007.

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JOSHUA BELL	EMMANUELLE HAIM	ANNA NETREBKO

The Del Sole Foundation for the Arts and Humanities promotes education in the arts and the building of future audiences for the arts, with financial and other assistance to arts festivals and exhibitions, to film, theater and dance projects, and by providing performance opportunities for gifted young artists.

The Foundation currently sponsors two international summer festivals. The Festival Del Sole, which began in 2003, is presented every August in Cortona, Italy.

The sister festival, Festival del Sole in California 's Napa Valley is being launched in July 2006 and will take place annually. Both festivals combine concerts by the leading artists of our time with events, exhibitions and activities that celebrate music, literature, art, dance , wine and cuisine – innovative programming that encourages participation by all.

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A. KIRCHSCHLAGER	JOSE' CURA	STEPHANE DENEVE

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE 2009
program and times are subject to change

Monday, August 3

Power Walk 8.00 am - 9.00 am
Teatro Signorelli
Start the day with a brisk and scenic power walk, Free Event

Tai Chi 9.00 am - 10.00 am
Sant Agostino Courtyard
Tai Chi with Lucia Dalbon; every weekday, Free Event

Art Exhibitions
Various venues
Anthony Hopkins, Aaron Tucker, Luigi Ciminaghi and J. Henry Fair work on display. Free events

Fresco Making 10.00 am - 1.00 pm
Sant Agostino Art Room
Make your own Fresco with decorative artist Julia Perry.

Cooking with Mamma 12.00 pm - 2.00 pm
Sant Agostino Courtyard
Popular local chef Donatella demonstrates cooking famous Tuscan dishes;
includes lunch.

Matinee Movie 4.00 pm - 6.00 pm
Sant Agostino Film Room
It Happened One Night (1934), Free Event

Historic Walk 6.00 pm - 7.00 pm
Guided Historic Walk of Cortona; includes aperitif.

Author Talk 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm
Sant Agostino Courtyard
Reading and talk by Beppe Severgnini, Free Event

Toasting Tuscany 8.00 pm - 8.45 pm
Palazzo Casali Gallery
Local meats, cheeses and wines are showcased as part of our pre concert reception series.

Tuesday, August 4

Power Walk 8.00 am - 9.00 am
Teatro Signorelli
Start the day with a brisk and scenic power walk, Free Event

Tai Chi 9.00 am - 10.00 am
Sant Agostino Courtyard
Tai Chi with Lucia Dalbon every weekday, Free Event

Art Exhibitions 10.00 pm - 7.00 pm
Various venues
Anthony Hopkins, Aaron Tucker, Luigi Ciminaghi and J. Henry Fair work on display. Free events

Cheese Making Workshop 11.30 am - 1.00 pm
Ristorante la Bucaccia
With local cheesesmaker Romano, includes lunch.

Matinee Movie 4.00 pm - 6.00 pm
Sant Agostino Film Room
Umberto D. (1952), Free Event

Wine Tasting and Vineyard Excursion 5.00 pm - 7.30 pm
La Braccesca di Antinori vineyard
Tour and tasting of La Braccesca wines.

Toasting Tuscany 8.00 pm - 8.45 pm
Palazzo Casali Gallery
Local meats, cheeses and wines are showcased as part of our pre concert reception series.

Music and Dance 9.00 pm
Teatro Signorelli
Concert: Anthony Hopkins (composer), Jean-Yves Thibaudet (piano), Joshua Bell (violin) and Stéphane Denève (conductor).
Programme: Featuring a discussion with Anthony Hopkins and Barrett Wissman.

Wednesday, August 5

Power Walk 8.00 am - 9.00 am
Teatro Signorelli
Start the day with a brisk and scenic power walk, Free Event

Tai Chi 9.00 am - 10.00 am
Sant Agostino Courtyard
Tai Chi with Lucia Dalbon, every weekday, Free Event

Art Exhibitions 10.00 pm - 7.00 pm
Various venues
Anthony Hopkins, Aaron Tucker, Luigi Ciminaghi and J. Henry Fair work on display. Free events

Cooking with Mamma 12.00 pm - 2.00 pm
Sant Agostino Courtyard
Popular local chef Donatalla demonstrates cooking famous Tuscan dishes; includes lunch.

Matinee Movie 4.00 pm - 6.00 pm
Sant Agostino Film Room
The Rose Tattoo (1955), Free Event

Historic Walk 6.00 pm - 7.00 pm
Guided Historic Walk of Cortona; includes aperitif.

Music and Dance 9.00 pm
Piazza Signorelli
Stars from the American Ballet Theater: Irina Dvorovenko and Maxim Beloserkovsky with special guests.

Thursday, August 6

Power Walk 8.00 am - 9.00 am
Teatro Signorelli
Start the day with a brisk and scenic power walk, Free Event

Tai Chi 9.00 am - 10.00 am
Sant Agostino Courtyard
Tai Chi with Lucia Dalbon, every weekday, Free Event

Art Exhibitions 10.00 pm - 7.00 pm
Various venues
Anthony Hopkins, Aaron Tucker, Luigi Ciminaghi and J. Henry Fair work on display. Free events

Cheese Making Workshop 11.30 am - 1.00 pm
Ristorante la Bucaccia
With local cheesemaker Romano, includes lunch.

Chinese Medicine 11.00 am - 12.00 pm
Sant Agostino Courtyard
Dr Song lectures on the commonly used acupuncture points, Free Event

Lunch Lecture 1.00 pm - 3.00 pm
Osteria del Teatro
Three course lunch with a lecture on National styles in music criticism; American vs. European by Matthew Gurewitsch.

Matinee Movie 4.00 pm - 6.00 pm
Sant Agostino Film Room
Anna Of Brooklyn (1958), Free Event

Author Talk 5.30 pm - 6.30 pm
Sant Agostino Courtyard, Free event.
Reading and talk by Barry Unsworth.

Toasting Tuscany 8.00 pm - 8.45 pm
Palazzo Casali Gallery
Local meats, cheeses and wines are showcased as part of our pre concert reception series.

Music and Dance 9.00 pm
Teatro Signorelli
Concert: Danielle de Niese (soprano) with Michael Guttman (conductor) and the Brussels Chamber Orchestra, performing Mozart arias.

Friday, August 7

Power Walk 8.00 am - 9.00 am
Teatro Signorelli
Start the day with a brisk and scenic power walk, Free Event

Tai Chi 9.00 am - 10.00 am
Sant Agostino Courtyard
Tai Chi with Lucia Dalbon, every weekday, Free Event

Art Exhibitions 10.00 pm - 7.00 pm
Various venues
Anthony Hopkins, Aaron Tucker, Luigi Ciminaghi and J. Henry Fair work on display. Free events

Decorative Painting 10.00 am - 1.00 pm
Sant Agostino Art Room
Learn the art of Faux Finish with decorative artist Julia Perry.

Chinese Medicine 11.00 am - 12.00 pm
Sant Agostino Courtyard
Dr Song lectures on the commonly used acupressure techniques, Free Event

Cooking with Mamma 12.00 pm - 2.00 pm
Sant Agostino Courtyard
Popular local chef Donatalla demonstrates cooking famous Tuscan dishes; includes lunch.

Matinee Movie 4.00 pm - 6.00 pm
Sant Agostino Film Room
It Started In Naples (1960), Free Event

Wine Tasting and Vineyard Excursion 5.00 pm - 7.30 pm
Tenimenti d'Alessandro vineyard
Tour and tasting of Tenimenti d'Alessandro wines.

Historic Walk 6.00 pm - 7.00 pm
Guided Historic Walk of Cortona; includes aperitif.

Toasting Tuscany 8.00 pm - 8.45 pm
Palazzo Casali
Local meats cheeses and wines are showcased as part of our pre concert reception series.

Conversation with an Artist 9.00 pm
Teatro Signorelli
Anthony Hopkins will be interviewed by Matthew Gurewitsch about his music, art and career. This takes place as part of the evening's concert.

Music and Dance
Teatro Signorelli
Concert: Anthony Hopkins (composer), Nina Kotova (cello); Maija Kovalevska (soprano) and Jaap van Zweden (conductor). The programme will include an interview with, and compositions by Anthony Hopkins.

Saturday, August 8

Chinese Medicine 11.00 am - 12.00 pm
Sant Agostino Courtyard
Dr Song lectures on the treatment of high blood pressure by acupuncture, Free Event

Art Exhibitions 10.00 pm - 7.00 pm
Various venues
Anthony Hopkins, Aaron Tucker, Luigi Ciminaghi and J. Henry Fair work on display. Free events

Wine tasting and lunch event 11.30 am - 3.00 pm
Ristorante Il Falconiere
Michelin-starred lunch, with wine tasting and vineyard tour.

Matinee Movie 4.00 pm - 6.00 pm
Sant Agostino Film Room
Elephant Man (1980), Free Event

Conversation with an Artist 5.30 pm - 6.30 pm
Sant Agostino Courtyard
Danielle de Niese will be interviewed by Matthew Gurewitsch about her music, art and career. Free Event

Toasting Tuscany 8.00 pm - 8.45 pm
Palazzo Casali
Local meats, cheeses and wines are showcased as part of our pre concert reception series.

Music and Dance 9.00 pm
Teatro Signorelli
Chamber evening: Nina Kotova (cello) and Jean-Yves Thibaudet (piano).

Sunday, August 9

Chinese Medicine 11.00 am - 12.00 pm
Sant Agostino Courtyard
Dr Song lectures on the treatment of back pain by acupuncture, Free Event

Art Exhibitions 10.00 pm - 7.00 pm
Various venues
Anthony Hopkins, Aaron Tucker, Luigi Ciminaghi and J. Henry Fair work on display. Free events

Lunch Lecture 12.30 pm - 3.00 pm
Tour of the Etruscan site and Lecture with Etruscan Lunch.

Matinee Movie 4.00 pm - 6.00 pm
Sant Agostino Film Room
Il Postino (1995), Free Event

Wine Tasting and Vineyard Excursion 5.00 pm - 7.30 pm
Avignonesi vineyard
Tour and tasting of Avignonesi wines.

Music and Dance 9.00 pm
Piazza Signorelli
Opera Gala: Angela Gheorghiu (soprano), Vlad Mirita (tenor) and Gisele Ben-Dor (conductor) with the Orchestra della Toscana, performing Italian opera highlights by Puccini, Catalani and Donizetti