With the announcement of the new program, the Cinema Teatro officially opens the theater season in Chiasso for 2025-2026, confirming itself as a cultural point of reference for the Mendrisiotto and the whole of Ticino. A packed calendar of over 30 dates, in which they are intertwined prose, music, dance and cinema, continuing the path of a programming that for years has focused on the encounter between different genres and audiences.
The season, however, features a significant change: the handover of Cinema Teatro. After ten years as director, Armando Calvia has handed over the baton to Jurij Meile , who will officially take office on September 1, 2025. For timing reasons, the program was developed by the outgoing director, who presented it to the press and audiences during an event yesterday, September 11. It will now be up to Meile to guide the theater through its new cycle of activities.
Prose, between classics and contemporary
The program's debut, almost a prologue, is entrusted to Legnanesi with Ricordati il bonsai . The first title on the season ticket will be Il vedovo , starring Massimo Ghini in a tribute to Italian comedy. Monica Guerritore will return to the stage with La sera della prima , followed by Anna Valle and Gianmarco Saurino, stars of Scandalo.
Among the most anticipated moments is Othello in a new version directed by Dacia Maraini and starring Giorgio Pasotti, while Emilio Solfrizzi will present Plautus's Amphitryon with a contemporary twist. Raoul Bova will perform The Swimmer of Auschwitz , an intense monologue inspired by the story of Alfred Nakache. There will also be light comedies such as Noises Off , Colpi di Timone with Tullio Solenghi , Figli di Troia by Paolo Cevoli , and Our Women with Luca Bizzarri, Enzo Paci, and Antonio Zavatteri.
Music between virtuosity and contamination
The musical side offers a range of styles: from Alexander Romanovsky 's piano recital , featuring Liszt, to Renaud Capuçon 's violin performance of Brahms. The program also features the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin with Bach's Four Suites , Ute Lemper 's voice in the show Time Traveler , and Gioele Dix's reinterpretation of the Kreutzer Sonata.
Alongside the classical repertoire, there is also space for contaminations: the progressive rock of The Watch plays Genesis , Davide Van De Sfroos ' show dedicated to Jim Morrison, the musical comedy of Nino Frassica & Los Plaggers Band and the pop energy of Time Out in 883 Experience.
Dance and performances in the new theater season in Chiasso
The program also includes dance events, led by the Paul Taylor Dance Company , a symbol of American tradition. The Festate jazz and culture festivals are also confirmed , as well as film festivals curated by the Cineclub Mendrisiotto , the Senza Confini children's theater , and the Opera Domani project.
An anniversary for the Cultural Center
The new season coincides with the fifteenth anniversary of the Chiasso Cultural Center, which will be celebrated on Sunday, September 28, 2025 with a special open house afternoon and an aperitif accompanied by jazz music.
Tickets and season tickets
Various season tickets are available, from Cartabianca 5 to Chiassocultura 18 , with prices starting at 155 francs/euros. Single tickets range from 20 to 38 francs/euros, with discounts for students and groups. The box office is open Wednesday through Saturday, while online purchases are available through the Ticketcorner platform.
