78 Best Performing Arts in Italy

Milan's La Scala and Naples's San Carlo offer performances more likely to attract serious opera fans, but neither offers a greater spectacle than the Arena di Verona. During the venue's summer season (June to August), as many as 16,000 attendees sit on the original stone terraces or in modern cushioned stalls. Most of the operas presented are big and splashy, like Aida or Turandot, demanding huge choruses, lots of color and movement, and, if possible, camels, horses, or elephants. Order tickets by phone or through the arena website. If you book a spot on the cheaper terraces, be sure to take or rent a cushion—four hours on a 2,000-year-old stone bench can be an ordeal.

On May 1, thousands of costumed villagers parade through town during Sardinia's greatest annual festival, the Festa di Sant'Efisio, named after the martyred saint who saved the city from the plague in the 17th century. The saint's statue is carried aloft through Cagliari's flower-lined streets, part of a four-day procession from Cagliari to Nora and back again (40 miles round-trip), and is accompanied by colorful costumed groups from throughout the island in an enthusiastic celebration of traditional culture. Ask at Cagliari's tourist office about viewing the grand spectacle along the main route in Cagliari. From April on, you can find tickets at www.boxofficesardegna.it.

From early October to mid- or late November, Alba hosts an internationally famous truffle fair. Merchants, chefs, and other aficionados of this pungent yet delicious fungus come from all over the world to buy and taste white truffles at the height of their season. The first Sunday of October sees the

Palio degli Asini. a hilarious donkey race, a lampoon of Asti's eminently serious horse race. Tickets to watch this competition between Alba's districts, with riders dressed in medieval garb astride their stubborn beasts, can be hard to get; they go on sale in September.

Hotel and restaurant reservations for October and November should be made well in advance.

Held from mid-August to mid-September high in the hills of Trentino, this series of free concerts offers the chance to enjoy chamber music performances amid grassy meadows and mountain views.

Classical music concerts are held at this theater designed by Renzo Piano in the renovated Lingotto building; internationally famous conductors and orchestras are frequent guests.

A small concert hall with an internationally recognized series of Baroque classics, the Oratorio del Gonfalone's mid-16th century frescoed walls are painted in high Mannerist style—a beautiful accompaniment to the music.

The society runs a yearlong program at the Annunziata concert venue, the Ravello Art Centre (formerly the Grand Caruso Wine Cellars), and elsewhere, including places in the neighboring town of Scala. Most concerts are held at 8:30 pm, with occasional performances starting at 6:30 pm.

World-class headliners as well as its beautiful location in Villa Ada, a former monarch's residence, make Roma Incontra il Mondo one of Europe's most impressive world-music festivals. The summer concert series is held in the middle of the park and begins at 10 pm, followed by dancing until 2 am.

For six weeks in early fall, the RomaEuropa festival ignites stages and theaters as a collective, multi-venue avant-garde performing and visual arts program, showcasing international artists, installations, film, and performance.

You need know nothing of opera to sense that La Scala is closer to a cathedral than a concert hall. Hearing opera sung in this magical setting is an unparalleled experience: it is, after all, where Verdi established his reputation and where Maria Callas sang her way into opera lore. It stands as a symbol—both for the performer who dreams of singing here and for the opera buff—and its notoriously demanding audiences are apt to jeer performers who do not measure up. At the Museo Teatrale alla Scala you can admire an extensive collection of librettos, paintings of the famous names of Italian opera, posters, costumes, antique instruments, and design sketches for the theater.

Designed by Milanese architect Achille Sfondrini, Rome's opera house dates back to 1880 and is still world famous for its extraordinary acoustics. Not even these famed halls could have saved Maria Callas's 1958 performance of Norma, where she infamously walked out on the President of Italy due to health reasons. Today, the theater seats 1,600 in glamorous tiered boxes under a frescoed ceiling. It's an excellent venue to see opera in its original language or a contemporary ballet performance.

As the biggest theater in Italy, Teatro Massimo is truly larger than life. Concerts and operas are presented throughout the year, though in summer concerts are usually held outdoors. An opera at the Massimo is an unforgettable Sicilian experience.

Also known as the Amici del Fortepiano (Friends of the Fortepiano), the Accademia Bartolomeo Cristofori sponsors fortepiano concerts throughout the year.

This organization sponsors classical and contemporary concerts at the Teatro della Pergola ( Box office, Via delle Carceri 1 055/210804).

The association organizes chamber-music concerts at Teatro Sannazaro with occasional performances at the Music Conservatory in the Centro Storico.

The British Institute of Florence runs several English-language film series; the programmer has a penchant for classic movies. Also on offer here are weekly lectures, courses, and a stunning library.

Based in the early Baroque church of Santa Caterina da Siena, the center presents an excellent season of early music that runs from October to early May. Even if madrigals aren't your thing, it's worth visiting just for the location. Some performances are also held in other locations in the city.

The two halls belonging to the Conservatorio host some of the leading names in classical music. Series are organized by several organizations, including the venerable chamber music society the Società del Quartetto.

For 10 days in mid-September, Asti is host to a popular wine festival—an opportunity to see Asti and celebrate the product that made it famous. During the course of the festival, a competition is held to award "Oscars" to the best wine producers, and stands for wine tastings allow visitors to judge the winners for themselves. Musical events and other activities accompany the festival. Check the festival's website for the schedule.

From June through August, Estate Fiesolana, a festival of theater, music, dance, and film, takes place in Fiesole's churches and in the Roman amphitheater—demonstrating that the ancient Romans knew a thing or two about acoustics.

A summer-long, city-sponsored cultural series, many of these events are free and take place outdoors along the Tiber River and in piazzas all around the city. Look for cinema events, art programs, theater, book fairs, and guided tours of some of Rome's monuments by night.

In the fall, cinephiles head to Rome for its annual film festival, two packed weeks of cinema celebration and celebrity spotting. The festival showcases Hollywood hits, Italian indie and experimental films, retrospectives and shorts, and conversations with global cinema icons.

On June 24, Florence mostly grinds to a halt to for celebrations honoring the city's patron saint. Many shops and bars close, and, at night, a fireworks display lights up the Arno and attracts thousands.

The feast of Siracusa's patron, Santa Lucia, is held on December 13 and 20 at the Church of Santa Lucia alla Badia. A splendid silver statue of the saint is carried from the church to the Duomo: a torchlight procession and band music accompany the bearers, while local families watch from their balconies.

This weeklong documentary film festival happens in November or December with screenings at various venues around town.

Palermo's tradition of puppet theater holds an appeal for children and adults alike, and street artists often perform outside the Teatro Massimo in summer. One of the most celebrated examples of the folk tradition is performed by the Figli d'Arte Cuticchio association, which hosts classic puppet shows from September to June.

Pisa has a lively performing-arts scene, most of which happens at the 19th-century Teatro Verdi. Music and dance performances are presented from September through May. Contact Fondazione Teatro di Pisa for schedules and information.

The hip set comes here to watch high-quality fringe and avant-garde theater presentations.