28 June-14 July. The theme of the festival is Ocean of Inspiration and this year's poster featuring David LaChapelle's picture Sister Moon sets the Siren against the constant movement of the waves in the ocean behind her.

The festival, directed by Giorgio Ferrara, still attracts prestigious names in theatre such as Emma Dante with the play Esodo (4-14 July), Marisa Berenson with Berlin Kabarett (4-13 July), Lucinda Childs and Adriana Asti in the Ballade of Zerline by Hermann Broch (4-14 July) and the continuing Young European theatre project (1-14 July) now in its seventh year.

In the dance section the Dutch National Ballet (5-7 July) performs Ode to the Master (see Dance). There are still the noontime concerts and the closing concert on 14 July is with the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma orchestra and chorus conducted by Daniele Gatti in Piazza del Duomo. All details of times and places are on the festival website, www.festivaldispoleto.com.