Teatro Dell'Opera, Rome
From the time the first opera was performed at the end of the 16th century, Italy began establishing itself as home to the art form's most important composers, works and venues. In the 19th century, as Italians worked towards unification, their opera houses became a source of community and national pride. Many of Italy's opera houses still exist, and continue produce unforgettable work for audiences from around the world.
Teatro Alla Scala (La Scala), Milan
Teatro alla Scala was founded in 1778 with a production of Antonio Salieri's "Europa Riconisciuta." In 1839, La Scala produced its first work by Giuseppe Verdi, linking the composer to the opera house more than any other individual in its history. The number and status of the works produced at La Scala have solidified its reputation as the most famous opera house in the world. Beyond the opera season, La Scala features an orchestra, chorus and a ballet company, as well as a performing arts academy. Visitors to La Scala can also experience the theatre's museum, inaugurated in 1913 and featuring relics representing its rich musical history.
Teatro Alla Scala
Via Filodrammatici 2
20121 Milano, Italy
+39 02 72 003 744
teatroallascala.org
La Fenice (The Phoenix), Venice
Venice's major opera house was built in 1790 as a replacement to the San Benedetto Theater, which had burned six years earlier. The Phoenix lived up to its name twice more, as it burned and was rebuilt in 1836 and 1996 (the second time due to arson). Its final incarnation, built in 2001, is meant to imitate the 19th century style of the original. Throughout its history, The Phoenix hosted the premiere of La Traviata, and was instrumental in the careers of Rossini and Verdi.
La Fenice
Sestiere San Marco, 1965
30124 Venezia (Veneto), Italy
+39 04 15 289 286
teatrolafenice.it
Teatro Dell'Opera, Rome
Since its construction in 1879, Rome's Teatro Dell'Opera has been one of the world's leading operatic venues. Originally called Teatro Costanzi, the theatre hosted the first performance of Puccini's Tosca in the 1899-1900 season, and has continued to be Rome's primary source for opera, ballet and symphonic music. In the summer, the theatre hosts open-air performances in its outdoor venue, the Baths of Caracalla.
Teatro Dell'Opera
Piazza Beniamini Gigli, 7
00184 Rome, Italy
+39 06 48 160 255
operaroma.it
Teatro Carlo Felice, Genoa
In 1828, Teatro Carlo Felice was inaugurated in the heart of Genoa. During World War two, the theatre suffered greatly from bombings, and was eventually destroyed in 1943. It was not until 1991 that Carlo Felice was reconstructed and reopened its doors as Genoa's Municipal Opera house. The theatre's appeal is in its design, which makes audiences feel as if they are in the middle of a town square distinctive to the city. It also features four stages unified by one computer system, advanced lighting systems and impeccable acoustics, making it "one of the country's finest emotion factories" according to Carlofelice.it.
Teatro Carlo Felice
Passo Eugenio Montale, 4
Piazza de Ferrari
16121 Genoa, Italy
+39 01 05 381 224
http://www.carlofelice.it
Teatro San Carlo, Naples
In 1737, the Teatro San Carlo was built by King Charles of Bourbon in an effort to create a symbol of royal power in Naples. The grand structure, known for its architectural and acoustic prowess, burned during a performance in 1816, but was rebuilt months later in a fashion that outdid the original version. Over time, Donizetti, Bellini, Rossini and Verdi all premiered their work in the Neapolitan theatre. Presently, the Teatro San Carlo is the oldest working theatre in Europe, and boasts a resident orchestra, chorus and a ballet school.
Teatro San Carlo
via San Carlo, 98/F
80132, Napoli, Italy
+39 081 79 72 331
teatrosancarlo.it
Teatro Massimo, Palermo
When Teatro Massimo opened in 1875, it was one of the largest theatres in Europe with a capacity of 3,200 spectators. Its construction represented Palermo's search for a new identity in the wake of Italian unification. While it now only admits about 1,600 patrons, the Massimo still represents the highest caliber of Italian theatre. The combination of its gold and red color scheme with its expertly designed sight lines and acoustics make the Teatro Massimo a beloved Sicilian landmark.
Teatro Massimo
Piazza G. Verdi, 1
90138 Palermo, Italy
+39 09 16 053 111
teatromassimo.it
