Any classical musician or lover of classical music will tell you that Europe was the birth place to most of the classical greats we know and appreciate today.

Unlike poets, writers, or artists, classical composers and musicians achieved notoriety for their works within their life time, and their music continues to flood our air waves. Some of greatest composers of all time, Tchaikovsky who wrote many great plays including the Nutcracker to Vivaldi who wrote The Four Seasons, were born and trained in Europe.

Any trip to Europe should include a live classical music performance, preferably at a festival. Today, there are many classical festivals to choose from, all celebrating the long European lineage of legends and looking forward to what the classical world holds in its future.

1. Bach Festival (www.bachfestleipzig.de ) Leipzig, Germany- Enjoy the sounds of the renowned composer with performances by the Academy of Ancient Music. There will also be performances from Handel and Vivaldi. Free daytime organ recitals will be available.

2. Puccini Festival (www.puccinifestival.it ) Torre del Lago, Italy- To satisfy your craving for high notes and drama, treat yourself to an opera performance. Celebrating the 150th anniversary of Puccini’s birth, the Puccinni Festival is full of performances from Puccinni’s repertoire. In addition to seeing great performances, you will be able to take a tour of Puccini’s lake side villa, which has been preserved as a museum, open to the public.

3. Salzburg Festival (www.salzburgfestival.at) Salzburg, Austria- Home to some of the most impressive churches and performance halls, Austria offers a culture rich in classical music. The Vienna Philharmonic will perform many works, including music by Wagner and Messiaen.

4. Monteverdi Festival(www.teatroponchielli.it) Cremona, Italy – In honor of one of the godfathers of Opera, Claudio Monteverdi, this 3 week festival mixes in many of the more famous 17 century classical works with the dramatic romanticism of the time period.

5. Richard Wagner Festival (www.bayreuther-festspiele.de) Bayreuth, Germany – Listen to the ear pleasing notes of Christian Thielemann who sets the atmosphere with the Ring Cycle. While you’re there, visit the eloquent Baroque Opera House and immerse yourself in the Hermitage gardens.

Europe has a strong appreciation for classical music, so seeing a live performance of your favorite classical performer is feasible for a quick European jaunt or a lengthy tour of the continent. There are both expensive performances and free performances because Europeans truly believe that classical music should be shared amongst everyone.