limmy

Any suggestions on venues or websites to check for concerts in Rome and Bologna? I meant to get around to this research sooner but it got away from me, I hope I'm not too late. We'll be in Rome for 5 nights starting 10/10 and Bologna for 4 nights starting 10/15.

I'd love to go to a good opera or otherwise classical concert in a beautiful & atmospheric venue. I just found performances on 10/16 and 10/18 at Teatro Comunale di Bologna - a quick wikipedia check tells me this is "one of the most important Opera houses in Italy". Should I pursue these events?

http://www.bolognawelcome.com/en/eve...illaume%20Tell

thank you

laurie_ann

Here's a website I found in researching our trip to Rome earlier this year (concerts in museums) http://www.romaoperaomnia.com We didn't end up doing any but it sounded like fun.

bvlenci

I've never been to an opera in Bologna. The theatre is certainly one of Italy's great historic theaters, built in the 18th century. It's not on the level of the Scala of Milan professionally, but then its tickets are a lot more affordable. They have a young but respected director. I think that would be a great choice for you.

On the 16th they'll offer Guillaume Tell; there aren't many tickets left, and I don't see any available on the 18th, which doesn't mean there aren't channels selling them.

In Rome, the Teatro dell'Opera, the main opera theatre, has nothingon your dates. The Virtuosi dell'Opera, a semi-professional company, puts on La Traviata at the Salone Margherita every Tuesday and Saturday. These performances are mostly aimed at tourists

limmy

Thanks for the link lauri_ann.

bvlenci - you gave me just the inside scoop I was looking for, thank you! Of course, the 18th would fit perfectly for me and it is the one that is sold out. Are you able to point me in the direction of alternative channels/ticket resellers? I'm not even sure what search terms to use.

bvlenci

I somehow sent that off before I was finished.

As I was saying, the performances ars mostly aimed at tourists, and the theatre isn't terribly grand. The costumes and scenery are not breathtaking. But the singers, although not famous, are talented, and the tickets are very reasonably priced. I wouldn't buy the expensive box seats with dinner. I believe that the seats aren't numbered, and that they just assign you to a section, so that within the section, it's first come, first served.

http://www.salonemargherita.com/spet...a-traviata.htm

My own preference would be for Guillame Tell in Bologna.

As far as classical concerts, I don't see much for your dates. One of the beautiful churches in central Rome, Sant'Agnese in Agone, has concerts called Music in Bernini's Rome. The idea is to present Baroque music in a Baroque church.

http://www.classictic.com/en/music_i.../14875/204429/

Again, these are performances put on for tourists, but that doesn't mean they should be dismissed.

bvlenci

I don't have any inside information, but some hotels are able fo get tickets for performances. The Sunday is one of the performances for people with season tickets, so it may very well be sold out.

limmy

Thanks for the additional info bvlenci, I appreciate it.