Opera in Italy
 

But where?

I'll be in Venice, Florence, Naples and Rome. Which city would it be best to see the opera?

My wife and I are not opera aficianados, but we want the experience, and figure if we might as well see the best.

I've read the Naples opera house is incredible, but I'm sure we will be in awe of them all.

You might find LaFenice in Venice of interest, depending on when you are there. Also, don't entirely rule out the opera experience (in the later Summer months) in the nearby Arena di Verona; operas on a truly grand(iose) scale.

First look at the schedule for seat availability. You might really have a few or no options. Some popular performances sell out quickly after the tickets are made available.

"Which city would it be best to see the opera?"

The one that's got an opera on while you're there. Better yet, the one with an opera you're comfortable about sitting through for three hours or more and can get tickets for.

None of these houses show opera six days a week, 52 weeks a year. All include some relatively modern operas in their repertoire - and that can mean works some of us would pay good money to avoid. The likelihood they'll all have an opera you want to go to on the days you're in the town concerned is very, very low - and the likelihood of easily getting tickets lower still.

If you really only want to see inside, you may well find attending a ballet or an orchestral concert (or just finding a tour of the theatre) meets your needs just as well.

In your shoes, I'd start off at the theatres' websites before asking advice from strangers whose criteria you've no way of appraising.

When will you be in these cities? That is the most important question. From there we can advise. There will likely not be opera in every one of those cities on the day(s) you will be there. That alone will cull your list for you.

In addition, the actual opera that is available will have further implications. Sitting through a 3 hour opera may be more interesting than a 5 hour opera. Knowing your experience with opera and a bit of likes/dislikes will also help in providing info. to you.

Please let us know the actual dates and operas, and we can give you very good advice!

LisaG

Hi - For Venice you might find this link helpful:

http://www.unospitedivenezia.it/eng/....php?id_area=1

If not La Fenice, you might find opera/ operatic highlights shows at other venues (- we've enjoyed several concerts at churches as well as at Palazzo Barbarigo-Minotto)

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Here's something to consider in Venice. It's a small, intimate venue with a small audience. Each scene takes place in a different room of the palace---so a set change means a room change for the audience.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...ce_Veneto.html