Page 610 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

608  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

ENTERTAINMENT IN ITALY

Italians exude strong national pride and acclaimed international film festivals and every
passion about all aspects of their cultural town boasts a teatro, an elaborate classical
heritage. One of Europe’s key centres of culture venue with mixed programmes incorporating
since Roman times, Italy was the cradle of the every aspect of classic and traditional culture.
Renaissance, and it is known today as the home Add to this the many street festivals and fairs,
of opera and a mixed bag of regional styles of often in celebration of food, wine and la dolce
folk music. The country holds one of the most vita, and you will never have a dull moment.

Practical Information venues provide easy access for
Most venues have booking people with restricted mobility.
facilities online or a booking line The situation improves a little in
to call. However, major events the summer, when many events
and most opera performances are held outside.
tend to sell out well in advance,
so it is wise to book through
specialist ticket companies such Opera and Classical Music
as Ticket One, which may still Italy has some of the world’s
have availability when the most beautiful and historic
venue itself has sold out. opera houses. Venice’s La
If you wish to find out what’s Fenice, destroyed by fire in
on in Italy during your stay, 1996, has been restored to its
check the Italian tourism former splendour, and Teatro
website (www.italia.it) or pick alla Scala (see p197) in Milan
up a copy of Dove, a monthly also underwent a major Poster advertising the Venice Film Festival
publication about culture, renovation. In addition to the
travel and gastronomy that original building, there is also Rock, Jazz and
also highlights the month’s an extra theatre, Teatro degli
events in Rome and Milan. Arcimboldi, allowing the Scala Contemporary Music
Il Corriere della Sera, Italy’s to host more performances. Large concerts tend to be held
oldest daily, contains sections Verona hosts a summer in classic theatres or in sports
on events and culture; its season of opera and classical stadiums. The Arena di Verona
Vivimilano website (www. music in the outdoor Arena di hosts big names in summer, as
corriere.it/vivimilano) is a mine Verona (see p147), while Rome’s does the Stadio Olimpico in
of information on events taking venues include the open­air Rome. In Milan, the Forum di
place in the fashion capital. Baths of Caracalla (see p441), Assago sports stadium is
Another website (www. the breathtaking Renzo Piano­ a popular venue. Tickets for
romaturismo.it) offers an designed auditorium Parco concerts are sometimes sold
excellent service for Rome. della Musica and the Teatro in record shops.
Tourist information offices dell’Opera. World­class jazz performers
(see p617) will also provide infor­ In May and June, Florence’s gather annually in Perugia for
mation on programmes, events Maggio Musicale (see p70) is the Umbria Jazz festival in July.
and venues, as will the Italian packed with opera, ballet and The website provides booking
State Tourist Board. Few Italian classical performances. details and information.
Theatre and Ballet
Italy has the highest concen­
tration of traditional theatres in
Europe, offering a mixture of
theatre, ballet and classical music
all under one roof. All theatres
also hold ballet performances,
mainly by international touring
troupes. The Scala’s ballet com­
pany has gained international
renown. Both tradition and
innovation can be seen at the
international festival of ballet
that takes place at Genoa’s
The opera festival in Verona attracts huge crowds to the Roman arena Teatro Carlo Felice in July.

608-609_EW_Italy.indd 608 4/5/17 9:32 AM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.1)
Date 13th August 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm