We are in the early stage of planning for Italy June 2023. I would like to attend and opera. Would anyone provide anecdotal information as to where, when, how... We will be in Venice, Florence and Rome. Teatro Fenice and Caracalla would be top of my wish list but I know options may be limited. It seems La Scala has June performances so there is still plenty of time to consider a different itinerary.
Posted by
11647 posts
Have you also considered attending an outdoor Opera in Verona?
Posted by
Toronto
32 posts
For travellers with the same wish list but going to Italy in July: https://www.teatrodelsilenzio.it/eventi/
Posted by
OP
47 posts
We are open to Verona. And even Ascoli!
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7924 posts
I’ve attended the opera in Verona at the Roman arena and also in Venice at Teatro la Fenice. Both are wonderful experiences. Here’s some of the differences:
Verona - you’re sitting in such a historic piece of architecture outdoors! The town is buzzing with the excitement of the opera season, and you can see the stage props next to the arena for the other operas. You may take your intermission out on the piazza if you wish, and people lingered at the outdoor restaurants before & after the opera. My hotel was so close (Hotel Bologna) that I used the toilet in my room instead of waiting in line.
Venice - it’s the typical beautiful opera house. The current building was opened in 2004, I think. (It’s burned down a few times.). I sat in one of the box seats with a straight view to the stage - very nice. We stayed at a hotel near the opera house. When it was finished, people were leaving - no piazza right there.
I checked info about La Scala one year when I was going to be in Milan. I had read that the box seats are tiny, so your legs don’t have much room. You would need to verify if interested.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7924 posts
Forgot to mention, even towards the end of August, you will want a sweater or wrap to put on during part of the Verona opera since it’s outdoors.
Posted by
OP
47 posts
Thanks all! I like the info on Verona. The outdoor venues have the pro of not needing to pack a suit I suppose.
Posted by
Green Bay
21274 posts
"Peter Grimes" is at La Fenice in Venice in June.
https://www.veneziaopera-tickets.eu/en/events/opera-and-ballet-1
"La Giocanda" and "Rigoletto" are at La Scala in June.
https://www.milanopera-tickets.com/en/events/opera-and-ballet-1
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17572 posts
We had a fantastic experience at the Verona opera in June 2010 when we took our daughters to Italy for graduation. It was opening night for the season, and the performance was Aida. I bought the cheap seats, sitting on the sone, and was happy with that as we had a great view of the whole festive scene. Rain threatened, and within minutes of the orchestra taking their seat to warm up, the skies opened np and it poured. The musicians fled with their instruments to a dry place, and the announcements said there would be a delay of up to an hour to see if they could start the performance. If they could not, then everyone would get a refund; but if the orchestra took their seats again and started to play, there would be no refunds no matter if the rain started again.
The audience was very cheerful and patient while we waited in the rain, which had lightened up a bit (fortunately we all had our Seattle uniforms—-hooded rain jackets. Vendors circulated the aisles among the stone seats offering. “Coca, Vino, impermeable!” (rain jackets, or in this case, clear plastic ponchos). After 20-25 minutes the rain let up and stagehands appeared to dry off the musicians’ chairs and squeegee the water off the stage.
It was nearly 10 pm when the orchestra appeared and took seats, and nearly dark, but there was still light in the open sky above. With the first note, members of the audience all around us held up lighters with a flame, like at a rock concert. Maybe they do that every performance, but it was quite a sight. And the performance was wonderful.
Since then we have been to opera at La Fenice, La Scala, the Royal Opera House in London, and in Vienna, as well as New York and here in Seattle. But that night at the Verona opera was my favorite.
Here is this year’s lineup, starting with Carmen as the opener on June 17.
https://www.arena.it/en/arena-di-verona/news/99-festival-2022
It I see you are going in 2023. So no schedule yet.
As for Baths of Caracalla, in 2022 the opera will be in July (Carmen also). I don’t know if that is the usual month for this. Of course the 2020 and 2021 performances were canceled.
Posted by
OP
47 posts
Thank you! Verona is looking more and more promising. I like that 2023 will be the 100th anniversary. We just attended Opera Versailles for their 250th (not a staged opera, but very nice experience).
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7924 posts
Yes, Lola, the lights are a tradition for the beginning of the Verona operas. This gives more info and some photos for you, Guerino. I brought my phone to capture a quick photo of this special traditional moment.
https://operasandcycling.com/candles-in-the-arena/
Guerino, I just checked my photos, and the men in line in my photo were just wearing normal dress shirts for Verona. Most of the men at La Fenice in Venice (took a photo during intermission) were wearing suits.