For Opera Lovers: Discover Italy's Top Opera Theaters

Italy's top opera house, La Scala theater in Milan, launches its annual opera season on December 7, so, for those of you who love opera, we thought about creating this slideshow of the best opera theaters in Italy, from such prestigious names as La Fenice, Teatro Regio di Parma and Teatro dell'Opera, to the oldest in Naples and the biggest in Palermo.

Discover more about the history of each theater by clicking on the links below, then make sure you book a show or simply stop for a visit at one of these important musical institutions. 

Teatro Alla Scala: Milan’s Top Opera House
La Scala is not just Italy’s most famous and prestigious opera house, it is arguably the most important opera house in the world.
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Teatro Regio Di Parma: Parma’s Royal Theatre
Located in the heart of Parma, the Teatro Regio is one of the most prestigious lyric theatres in Italy and its success is entwined with that of the city.
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Teatro Ponchielli: Cremona’s Opera House
Along with an International Violinmaking School and a museum dedicated to the craft, the town’s most important musical institution is the local opera house, the Teatro Ponchielli.
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Teatro La Fenice: Venice’s Opera House
Venice’s celebrated Teatro La Fenice opera house is a mecca for music lovers and dance fans alike. The theatre is second in importance in Italy only to Milan’s La Scala and has consistently attracted the music world’s most famous names over the centuries.
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Sferisterio Di Macerata: Open-Air Opera
The Sferisterio di Macerata open-air stadium in Le Marche region dates to the late 19th century. The space created is spectacular and in the early 20th century, the stadium began to be used to stage operas.
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Teatro Dell’Opera: Rome’s Premier Opera House
Teatro dell'Opera's luxurious gilt interior and impressive acoustics attracted the cream of the music world: composer Giacomo Puccini premiered ‘Tosca’ there and legendary performer Maria Callas sang there.
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Real Teatro Di San Carlo: The Oldest Opera House In The World
While Milan’s La Scala is Italy’s most famous opera house, the Real Teatro di San Carlo in Naples takes credit for being the oldest. It was founded by the first Bourbon king, Carlo VII, in 1737.
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Teatro Petruzzelli: Bari Opera House Restored To Its Former Glory
The Teatro Petruzzelli in Bari is the fourth largest theatre in Italy. It was built between 1898 and 1903, registered as a building of historical and artistic interest in 1954, and as a traditional opera house in 1967.
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Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele
Any visit to Palermo in Sicily will benefit from taking in the city’s opera house, the Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele. Built in the Neoclassical style in the late 19th century, it is the largest opera house in the country and one of the most impressive.
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Teatro Massimo Bellini: Catania’s Opera House
The Teatro Massimo Bellini opera house in Catania is named after 19th century composer Vincenzo Bellini, who was born in the Sicilian city and nicknamed the “cigno catanese” (Catanian swan).
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Topic:Culture Travel Tips