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Milan, Italy -

If you're into opera, then Milan is your place. La Scala is perhaps the finest opera house in Italy. Inaugurated in 1778, it has premiered works by Verdi, Stockhausen, and Puccini. The city also offers a great night life, especially if you're a fan of electronic music.

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Havana, Cuba -

Influenced by generations of migrants and slaves brought to the island, the Cuban capital is home to a hugely diverse music scene. With genres like mambo, charanga, Cuban jazz, and habanera, you'll find music in every corner across Havana.

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Memphis, USA -

Memphis, Tennessee, is the home of blues and the center of gospel and soul music. It was also here, in the 1950s, that rock and roll was born. Big names like B.B. King, Elvis Presley, and Johnny Cash all recorded and performed here.

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Vienna, Austria -

The European capital of classical music, it was in Vienna where Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Schubert, Mahler, and Brahms spent most of their time studying and working. Here you can catch great outdoor ensembles in the city’s parks or in one of its impressive venues.

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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -

Rio is a vibrant city with an excellent musical scene. The birthplace of samba, bossa nova, and funk carioca, Rio offers great venues where one can dance all night long.

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London, England -

London is a city that offers everything for music fans. From classical at the Barbican Center, to contemporary acts at the Hammersmith Apollo, you won't be bored discovering the music scene and its history.

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Dakar, Senegal -

The cultural capital of West Africa, Dakar has become a prominent city, with musicians from neighboring countries finding it a welcoming music base.

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Bologna, Italy -

Declared by UNESCO in 2006 as the City of Music, Bologna has a strong musical tradition that has impacted the city's social and economic development. Offering a mixture of classical, jazz, and electronic, Bologna is home to several international events.

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Detroit, USA -

The birthplace of Motown, this is the place that gave us Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, the Supremes, and many others. Also with roots in Motor City are big names like Eminem and Alice Cooper. It's the perfect visit for fans of hip hop, soul, and even rock.

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Berlin, Germany -

Berlin has always been an important city for artists and performers. From a vibrant club scene to several symphony orchestras, the city has something for everyone.

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Sydney, Australia -

Home to the stunning Sydney Opera House, the Australian city has become an impressive musical center. In the summer, the city also offers open-air operas at Sydney Harbor.

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Seville, Spain -

Not only are people drawn to Seville for its astonishing array of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but also for its infectious flamenco culture. Music can be heard everywhere in the Andalusian capital, and it's easy to understand why people fall in love with it.

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New York City, USA -

The city where hip hop and disco originated, NYC still has a thriving music scene. From Greenwich to Brooklyn and Williamsburg, one can find gigs every night. There's also Broadway for those who love musical theater.

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Prague, Czech Republic -

Prague is another excellent European capital with a vibrant cultural scene. It was here that Mozart premiered his 'Don Giovanni' and 'La clemenza di Tito' operas in the 18th century, and where classical music lives on till this day. The city also hosts several outdoor concerts during summer.

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Johannesburg, South Africa -

A melting pot of cultures, Johannesburg was for a long time the European music capital in Africa. But after the end of Apartheid, Indigenous African music started taking up space, turning it into a world-class musical city.

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Nashville, USA -

Home of country music, Nashville is full of bars and clubs where you’ll find live music every night of the week. One stop you can't miss is the Country Music Hall of Fame, which is full of historic records, memorabilia, and instruments from big names like Earl Scruggs and Johnny Cash.

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Paris, France -

Having been home to great composers, like Debussy, Chopin, and Berlioz, Paris has a remarkable musical heritage. The city of lights also has great jazz clubs and cellar bars where artists like Édith Piaf once sang.

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Kingston, Jamaica -

Home of reggae, the island is a must-visit for fans of the genre and of the legendary Bob Marley. The country’s dynamic capital is the best place to seek out some of the world's best reggae venues.

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Liverpool, England -

Home to John, Paul, George, and Ringo, also known as the members of the Beatles, Liverpool has a special place in music history. Visiting the city, one will experience the birthplace of the legendary English pop band. The city also hosts several musical events yearly.

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Salvador, Brazil -

Most non-Brazilians immediately think of Rio, but Salvador, the nation's first capital, has a strong musical heritage. The most African-influenced area of the country, it's famous for its axé music, a genre that combines deep reggae, calypso, and rhythms of West Africa.

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San Francisco, USA -

Once the heart of the 1960's counterculture movement, big names like Janis Joplin, the Rolling Stones, and Santana have all played in the City by the Bay. Today there are an endless number of record stores and places to catch some great live performances.

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Leipzig, Germany -

Having been the home and workplace of Bach, Wagner, and Mahler, Leipzig is still a major center for classical music. It hosts various events and festivals throughout the year.

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Osaka, Japan -

On the surface, Osaka might look like a modern, shiny, 21st-century city. But under it all, the Japanese city is pure punk, metal, and psychedelia. With a huge number of gigs, the city also has many second-hand record shops.

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New Orleans, USA -

The birthplace of American jazz, New Orleans is an excellent city when it comes to music. You can bar hop in the French Quarter, celebrate Mardi Gras, and attend the annual jazz festival. The city’s music scene definitely won’t disappoint.

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Salzburg, Austria -

The historic city of Salzburg and its stunning Alpine backdrop were featured in the 1965 classic film 'The Sound of Music.' The musical was inspired by the Von Trapp family singers. Salzburg is also the birthplace of Mozart, and offers plenty of attractions and concerts in his honor.

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Dublin, Ireland -

Dublin might be a small city, but it has an epic musical heritage. The birthplace of legendary bands like U2 and Thin Lizzy, there's a lot to discover musically. Also, don't forget to check out traditional bodhrán sessions in the pubs. You won't regret it!

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Seattle, USA -

Widely known as the birthplace of grunge in the early '90s, Seattle is still home to a thriving and innovative music scene. From exhibitions of Nirvana to record stores and weekly gigs, Seattle won't disappoint.

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Nuremberg, Germany -

If you love rock, then you need to head to Nuremberg. Every summer, the German city hosts the ultimate rock festivals: the Rock im Park and its sister festival Rock am Ring.

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Austin, USA -

With more music venues per inhabitant than anywhere else in America, Austin is a must for any music lover. You can find hundreds of places playing country, blues, metal, rockabilly, and Afro-beat every night.

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Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago -

Not only is the island country the perfect place for a tropical escape, it's also the home of Soca, a mix of calypso, funk, and soul. To fully enjoy the music, visit the island during its Carnival festivities. 

Sources: (Culture Trip) (Trips To Discover)

See also: Slow cities: what they are, and where to find them

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