Thanks in advance for the responses.
Will be doing tourist thing all day in Rome and did not want to go back to the room and change if we could avoid it. This way we could show up just before opera starts maximizing our time.

Hi Smackover,

sadly standards in dress at the opera are dropping, as they are in every walk of life.

no longer are mink stoles and full evening rig compulsory. in fact unless it's a premiere/first night, you could probably go in a plastic bag and excite no interest whatsoever.

a more serious point is that depending on the time of year, you may not want to spend all day in the same clothes. and your neighbours may not thank you either.

and unless you have a bit of a rest, you may even find yourselves falling asleep in the middle - these opera houses can get VERY hot.

if you're determined to do this, then I suggest "smart casual" during the day, and that Males bring a tie, bow for preference, and a jacket with them.. this and a nice scarf warn by any ladies, should cover most eventualities.

regards, ann

PS -have you looked at the web-site? - sometimes they say something about dress.

The only Opera theatre that has some kind of dress code nowadays in Teatro alla Scala of Milano.
There is no dress code. Just try not to look as if you come from the beach or to practise any sport and it will be OK

Thanks annhig and kenderina for your insight. It will not be opening night. That's why I thought we may get by in the same clothes that would allow us into a church. I checked their website for info before I posted and I'm glad they did not answer my question. Now that I know it is "very hot" in the venue I will definitely not be wearing a suit.

I've been to a few performances in Rome's Teatro dell'Opera and it really can get wickedly hot. So, although you'll want to look nice you definitely want to dress lightly!

Although it isn't extremely formal, you might feel a bit out of place if you don't take a little time to tidy up a bit before you arrive.

Don't forget, performances often don't begin until at least 8:30 p.m., so that might give you a bit more time beforehand to change.

Are you staying anywhere near the teatro?

sacc - Thank you for the information especially reinforcing the heat inside the theatre. Staying on the other of the Vatican from the theater. Would loose a lot of time.