According to the Associated Press, the performances of l'Ercole su'l Termodonte will be the first of the opera since 1723. John Pascoe will direct the production; Alan Curtis will conduct his group Il Complesso Barocca.

The festival will also include performances of Menotti's songs and arias by soprano Christine Brewer; chamber music from pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet with cellist Gautier Capu‹on and the Rosetti String Quartet; and an opening-night concert by the Israeli Philharmonic led by rising young conductor Gustavo Dudamel, as well as dance, jazz, visual art, film, and theater.

The Festival of Two Worlds was founded by composer Gian Carlo Menotti in 1958, and is now directed by his son, Francis Menotti.