The Festival Puccini takes place on the shores of Massaciuccoli Lake, near the Tuscan town of Lucca. Performances are in an open-air theatre, just a stone’s throw from Villa Puccini, where the composer lived, worked and is buried. Directed by Alberto Veronesi, it’s the only opera festival in the world entirely dedicated to the works of Puccini although this year Rigoletto is on the programme to mark the Verdi anniversary year. The other operas scheduled are Tosca, Turandot and a dyptich featuring the Maestro’s Il Tabarro and Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rustinana. Tel. 0584359322, www.puccinifestival.it.