Page 222 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sicily

220  tr a vellers ’ needs

ENTERTAINMENT IN SICILY

the entertainment on offer in sicily is wide- connected with artists and personalities who
ranging and varied, and the programmes for have con tributed to sicily’s colourful history.
cultural, musical and theatrical events are added to this, there are numerous folk
particularly imaginative. In the cities, the festivals and vibrant carnival celebrations.
theatres put on a long and eclectic winter Far from being performed for the benefit of
season, while in the spring and summer the tourists, these are genuine expressions of
ancient sites become the venues for top- the spirit of sicily. the nightlife is lively in the
level classical Greek theatre and symphony main towns and the seaside resorts also
concerts. there are also many cultural events stay active until the small hours.

Practical Information Opera, Theatre and
Classical Music
Information in English about
what is on in Sicily is difficult Palermo’s Teatro Massimo
to find, but there are several stages a year-long opera
excellent Italian-language programme that includes
websites that offer up to date favourites such as Verdi and
details on events. The most Puccini alongside more
informative for the island as a contemporary composers, like
whole is www.lasicilia.com/ Samuel Barber. The theatre’s
eventi_sicilia.cfm, which lists orchestra readily embraces an
events in all nine provinces for eclectic mix of music,
any particular day. For Palermo, including tribute bands to The
www.palermoweb.com Beatles. The Teatro Politeama
provides a comprehensive Garibaldi, home to the Sicilian
guide to entertainment in Symphony Orchestra, hosts
Sicily’s largest city. classical music concerts Programme for a performance at the Teatro
The site www.sicilycinema.it throughout the year, as well Greco in Syracuse
offers a complete guide to as artists such as Paolo Conte.
what is playing in all of the Palermo’s main playhouse Sangiorgi, owned by Teatro
island’s cinemas. is the Teatro Biondo, the Bellini, stages contemporary
repertoire of which ranges music, chamber music,
from Greek tragedies and operetta and experimental
Booking Tickets
Tennessee Williams to August theatre. Catania’s chief theatre
There are several nationwide Strindberg and Eduardo De is the Teatro Stabile, which
booking agencies operating in Filippo. With its great presents mainstream drama
Sicily, including Box Office and acoustics, Catania’s Teatro by the likes of Shakespeare,
Feltrinelli. Each of these has Massimo Bellini is a favourite Molière and Pirandello.
offices in the main Sicilian with performers. The opera Sicily’s ancient Greek and
centres. The more prominent season lasts all year, while the Roman outdoor theatres come
theatres and music venues also Bellini Orchestra’s concert into their own in the warmer
have their own websites where season runs from October to months, providing spectacular
you can book online. June. The 477-seat Teatro settings for traditional and
modern drama. One of the
best known is the Teatro
Greco in Syracuse, a large and
well-preserved monument
dating back to the 5th century
BC. A classical theatre season
is held here every year in May
and June (see p42).
Every year, Segesta’s temple
is the atmospheric backdrop
for both traditional and
modern plays (see p42), while
Taormina’s ancient Greek
theatre plays host to music
and drama during Taormina
Arte (see p43), a series of
Live performances are always popular in the summer months events running from June to

SC_220-223.indd 220 18/11/2014 16:26
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm