El Jem’s Roman amphitheater is preparing to vibrate to sounds around the world. From July 12 to August 16, 2025, eleven concerts will honor orchestras and artists from seven countries, as part of the 38th edition of the International Symphonic Music Festival “The Nocturnes d’El Jem”. The programming was unveiled this Tuesday during a press conference.
The kick -off will be given on July 12 with an evening dedicated to “Italian legends”. On stage, the Orchestra da Camera Fiorentina will perform works by Morricone, Puccini or Rota. Founded in 1981 by the Maestro Giuseppe Lanzetta, this Florentine formation is now recognized as one of the best European chamber orchestras.
The closing evening, scheduled for August 16, will be carried by the Austrian violinist Yury Revich – Honorary representative of UNICEF – which will occur with the Tunisian Symphony Orchestra, under the wand of Shady Garfi.
Seven nations are in the spotlight this year: Tunisia, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Algeria, Canada and Austria. Each representation offers immersion in a distinct musical culture.
The Tunisian scene will be particularly highlighted this year. On July 17, the composer Mohamed Ali Kammoun will present “The symphonic stars: 24 perfumes from Tunisia”, a monumental work bringing together 120 artists, including 50 young virtuosos and 70 choristers, under the direction of Achraf Bettibi.
On July 19, “La Nuit des chefs”, an initiative of the Tunis Opera Theater, will bring together several Tunisian conductor for a program exploring masterpieces of the Mediterranean and the classical Western repertoire.
The singer Hassen Doss will offer, on August 6, a fused show alongside the Orchestra and the El Manar choir led by Salma Masmoudi. Finally, the Carthage Symphony Orchestra of Hafedh Makni will perform on August 12, in the penultimate date of the festival.
Evening program (9:30 p.m.)
- July 12: Orchestra Fiorentina da Camera (Italy) – Morricone, Puccini, Rota…
- July 17: Mohamed Ali Kammoun – Symphonic stars: 24 perfumes from Tunisia
- July 19: The Night of the Chefs (Tunisia)
- July 24: Wallonia Royal Chamber Orchestra – So we dance! (Belgium)
- July 26: Orquesta de Cámara Villa de Madrid – world dances and Spanish music
- August 2: Vienna Opera Bal orchestra – The most beautiful Vienna Slesses
- August 6: Hassen Doss and the El Manar Orchestra
- August 9: Algiers Opera Symphony Orchestra
- August 10: Oriental Heritage Choir (Canada)
- August 12: Carthage Symphony Orchestra (Tunisia)
- August 16: Yury Revich and the Tunisian Symphony Orchestra (Austria/Tunisia)
This 2025 edition promises to be a vibrant tribute to musical diversity, in the majestic setting of the El Jem amphitheater, an architectural jewel classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
