Mario Biondi at Teatro Cilea, Reggio Calabria 2026: 20 years of This Is What You Are

Teatro Francesco Cilea · Reggio Calabria, Costa Viola, Calabria

23 November 2026

On Monday 23 November 2026 at 9pm Mario Biondi brings to the Teatro Francesco Cilea in Reggio Calabria the theatre tour celebrating twenty years since «This Is What You Are», the song that introduced his deep voice to an international audience, and since his debut album «Handful of Soul». The set mixes the classics of his career, a few songs by other great artists and, live for the first time, tracks from the new album «Two Entities». The tour is produced by Friends & Partners; tickets are sold on TicketOne from 49 euros (upper gallery) to 79 euros (front stalls), plus booking fees.

Monday 23 November 2026 at Teatro Cilea

The Reggio Calabria concert is scheduled for Monday 23 November 2026 at 9pm at the Teatro Francesco Cilea on Corso Garibaldi. It is one of the sixteen dates of the theatre tour that Mario Biondi opened on 1 November at the Auditorium Santa Chiara in Trento and that ends on 18 December at the Teatro Intred in Varese.

In southern Italy the tour stops in Lecce (Teatro Apollo, 21 November), then in Reggio and the next day in Palermo (Teatro Golden, 24 November). The Cilea show is the only Calabrian date of the tour, so anyone travelling from elsewhere in the region has just this one chance to see him.

Twenty years of «This Is What You Are»

The tour marks twenty years since the song that revealed Mario Biondi's voice to a wide audience, which has become one of the contemporary classics of soul-jazz, and since the album «Handful of Soul», released in October 2006.

For the anniversary, a new version, «This Is What You Are (20th Anniversary)», came out on 12 September 2025 on the Beyond label, distributed by The Orchard. It was played by musicians from the international jazz scene such as Dennis Chambers on drums, John Patitucci on bass, Antonio Faraò on piano, Till Brönner on trumpet and Chase Baird on saxophone, together with two of Biondi's long-time collaborators, Massimo Greco on keyboards and Marco Fadda on percussion.

What to expect: the classics and the new album «Two Entities»

According to the producer, Friends & Partners, the concert retraces the key moments of his twenty-year career: the classics that made Biondi a reference point for contemporary soul and jazz, a few songs by other great artists and, played live for the first time, tracks from the new album «Two Entities».

The record comes out on 16 October 2026 on Sony Music Italy. It was recorded in Italy, England and the United States and marks his return to English after «Prova d'autore», his first album in Italian. The musicians include Antonio Faraò, Leee John, Till Brönner, Harvey Mason, John Patitucci and Dominique Di Piazza. The lead single is «Cocktail Blue», on the radio since 2 October.

Tickets and prices by section

Tickets have been on sale on TicketOne since 9 April 2026, also through the call centre (892.101) and the network's sales points. Prices by section are: front stalls (poltronissima) 79 euros, stalls (poltrona) 75 euros, central boxes 69 euros, first-category side boxes 59 euros, second-category side boxes 55 euros and the unreserved upper gallery (loggione) 49 euros. Booking fees are added on top.

As of 13 October all sections are available. The concert is organised by Friends & Partners in collaboration with Baobab Music & Etchics, and Radio Monte Carlo is the tour's radio partner. To avoid invalid tickets, buy only through the official channels listed by the organiser.

Who Mario Biondi is

A singer with a deep, warm voice, Mario Biondi has built an international career in soul and jazz over twenty years. In 1988 he opened concerts for Ray Charles; over the years he has worked with Gregory Porter, Incognito, Earth Wind & Fire, Burt Bacharach, Al Jarreau and Till Brönner, and in Italy with Pino Daniele, Ornella Vanoni, the Pooh, Renato Zero and Il Volo. He has also performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

In 2026, according to his producer, before the autumn theatre run he has played on more than 25 stages in Italy, in theatres and open-air venues, and on 18 stages abroad in 13 countries.

Teatro Cilea and an evening in the city centre

The Teatro Francesco Cilea stands on Corso Garibaldi, the main street of Reggio's historic centre, largely pedestrianised, facing Piazza Italia and Palazzo San Giorgio, the town hall. The same building houses the city art gallery (Pinacoteca civica). Reggio Calabria Centrale station is at the southern end of the Corso, beyond Piazza Duomo: from the train you can walk to the theatre along the Corso.

The evening before, Sunday 22 November, the same stage hosts Brunori Sas with TuttoBrunori. Before or after the concert, restaurants and bars in the centre are a short walk away: see where to eat in Reggio Calabria.

Frequently asked questions

When is Mario Biondi playing in Reggio Calabria?

On Monday 23 November 2026 at 9pm, at the Teatro Francesco Cilea on Corso Garibaldi.

How much are tickets for Mario Biondi at Teatro Cilea?

From 49 euros for the unreserved upper gallery to 79 euros for the front stalls; in between are the stalls (75), central boxes (69) and side boxes (59 and 55 euros). Booking fees are added.

Where can I buy tickets?

On TicketOne, online, through the 892.101 call centre and at the network's sales points. Avoid unauthorised resellers.

Which songs does he play?

The concert retraces twenty years of his career starting from «This Is What You Are», with a few songs by other artists and, live for the first time, tracks from the new album «Two Entities».

Are there other dates in Calabria?

No, the Cilea show is the tour's only Calabrian date. The nearest others are Lecce on 21 November and Palermo on 24 November.

How do I get to Teatro Cilea and where can I park?

The theatre is on Corso Garibaldi, facing Piazza Italia; the Corso is largely pedestrianised, so leave the car in the surrounding streets. From Reggio Calabria Centrale station you can walk there along the Corso.

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