alexwill

Hi.

I am going to be in Naples in February 2011. The opera tickets are on the expensive side, and I was hoping that the Teatro San Carlo might have some standing room seats. I can't find any reference to standing room on the web in English or Italian, but I'm not sure of the term that Italians use. Would anyone have any idea?

Thanks,

Delmar

annhig

Hi Delmar,

i had a look at the box office part of the website, and the cheapest tickets shown are €40-50 in the balcony, except some discounted for students.

i can't imagine even the most opera mad italians standing for those sorts of prices so i'm assuming there are no such tickets.

zeppole

The Italian term is "posti in piedi"

It is the tradition at some Italian opera houses for standing room tickets to be sold an hour or two before a performance, but I don't know what the policy is at Teatro San Carlo. If you are under 30 years old, you might be able to buy a ticket for under 20e the same day of the performance (or there may be availability for people over 60 or other discounts for teachers, journalists, etc).

If you've already booked a hotel in Napoli, asking your hotel via e-mail might produce an answer. Or just go to the theater first thing when you arrive.

Waldo

Funny story about San Carlo. On one of my many visits to Naples (my wife's whole family lives there), I decided to take a look at the San Carlo Opera House. I proceeded to go into the lobby, and I was immediately stopped by a security guard. He asked what I was doing. I told him that I would like to look around the famed Opera House. He told me it was impossible and started to escort me out, rather gruffly. A person of obvious importance then came by, wanting to know what was going on. It turned out he was the general manager of the place. I speak perfect Italian, so I told him I would really appreciate seeing what the inside looked like. He said that there were rehearsals going on, and I couldn't possibly see the place, and I should come back tomorrow with the guided tour. I lied, and told him I was going home tonight, and I was very dissapointed. He asked where I was from, since my Italian was so precise. I told him I was raised in Brooklyn, New York. He then said he had just returned from Brooklyn, having visited relatives. I asked where he had been. He told me "18th Avenue". Well, that's my old neighborhood, and I so told him. After talking for a few minutes about the 18th Ave. neighborhhod, and familiar landmarks to him, he told the security guard to show me around the complete facility, because "We were old friends". I got a fabulous private tour of the place, and also watched the rehearsal of La Traviata, which starred Luciano Pavarotti, except that he was not rehearsing. They had a stand in for him. Too bad, I would have loved to see my favorite singer of all time.

alexwill

Waldo...that's a great story. Thanks for sharing it!! I found an email address for tickets at San Carlo, and I wrote them an email. I'll be sure to post the answer.

Waldo

To Alexwill-If and when you go to Naples, let me know before your trip, and I will tell you how to get to the WORLD'S BEST pizza place (located in Naples, naturally), close to the Opera House.