Italy is a beautiful country by any measure, and its position as one of the most visited countries in the world supports that. There is a lot for tourists to do in the country, whether you are searching for adventure or relaxation. If you want both, you can explore the opera houses in the country to experience a bit of Italian elegance within buildings with a long and rich history. Check out some of the top opera houses in Italy below. They are world famous.
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Teatro alla Scala
Popularly called La Scala, Teatro Alla Scala is the first option for many people looking to explore opera houses in Italy. It is the most famous opera house in the country and was established in 1778. Since then, it has undergone numerous damage and renovations while still trying to keep as much originality as possible. A visit to La Scala is sure to blow your mind away. The building is a gorgeous neoclassical architecture that has hosted thousands of acclaimed performances from global stars.
If you want to explore beyond this world-famous opera house, learn how to plan a trip to Italy following a template that includes tourist hotspots like Florence, Milan, Venice, and Rome and less popular destinations like Sicily and Tuscany. Many of them have large opera houses that attract global performers. You may have to book ahead of time if you are looking to attend a performance. If you want to see the building, you can visit almost any time of the year.
Teatro dell’opera di Roma
Many tourists start their adventure from Rome, so it is reasonable to include an opera house in the capital city. Rome is a beautiful city and a centre of culture for many locals and tourists. You can enjoy some opera performances from the beautiful opera house in the city. Teatro dell’opera di Roma is located in Piazza Beniamino Gigli in Rome. It is a notable spot in the city and an impressive architecture that will appeal to those who love impressive structures.
Teatro dell’opera di Roma hosts many classical and contemporary performances, ranging from musicals to stage plays and dance concerts. The best time to visit this opera house is during the summer when performances are held in the ancient Baths of Caracalla, a setting where performances are staged under the stars. Once the performance is over, you can hop on a train from Rome to Florence, another tourist hotspot in the country. The trip will expose you to the stunning landscape that links the two cities, and a train ride is the perfect medium to appreciate it.
Teatro la Fenice
This is another world-famous opera house in Italy. Also known as the Phoenix, this opera house was opened in 1792 and has undergone significant renovations twice after a fire burnt it down twice in the past. You cannot notice this piece of history in the current look of the theatre, though. It is a stunning piece of architecture that will make you feel like you are in a fairy tale or centuries-old story playing out in real life.
Teatro la Fenice is located in the San Marco neighbourhood, a prime location that makes this opera house a top attraction for tourists looking to explore as much of Venice as possible in a single visit to the city. If you are planning to attend a performance in this opera house, try to time it to New Year’s Eve, when it hosts its most important event of the entire year.
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Teatro di San Carlo
It is almost inhumanly possible to enter Teatro di San Carlo and not be stunned. It is Italy’s oldest active opera house and was founded in 1737. This opera house is famed for its size, as it once sat 3,000 people at some point, with six tiers of boxes. A famous composer, Sphor, once criticized its size. It was scaled down and now seats 1,386 people. Over the years, the opera house has hosted many iconic Italian performers, including Gioacchino Rossini and Gaetano Donzinetti.
Teatro di San Carlo is located opposite Palazzo Reale, the royal family’s official residence, an intentional choice to give the royal family direct access to the performances. That was, however, a source of controversy due to censorship of performances. In its centuries of existence, the opera house has hosted performances ranging from opera and ballet to comics. It is now home to one of the top ballet academies in the world. A museum is currently in the planning stage for the opera house.
Opera houses in Italy are some of the country’s best places to enjoy popular culture. These buildings hold a rich history in addition to their stunning appearance, which initially drew attention. You can visit most of them at any time of the year, but watching a performance may require you to book ahead, especially for the popular ones.
