Page 350 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Rome

348  TR A VELERS ’ NEEDS

Classical Music and Dance

Classical concerts take place in a surprisingly large number seats for an prestigious concert
of venues; tickets for opera premieres may be hard to get, but at Teatro dell’Opera may cost
soloists, groups, or orchestras playing in gardens, churches, more than €80.
villas, or ancient ruins are more accessible. World-renowned The Associazione Musicale
soloists and orchestras make appearances year round; past Romana, dedicated to
Renaissance and Baroque music,
visitors have included Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo, organizes three annual festivals
the Berlin Philharmonic, and prima ballerina Sylvie Guillem. in the Palazzo della Cancelleria
Programs are generally international in scope but (see p151): the Festival Inter-
sometimes you will find a festival dedicated to one of Italy’s nazionale di Cembalo (harpsi-
own, like Palestrina, the great 16th-century master of poly- chord festival) in March; Musica
phonic church music, or Arcangelo Corelli, inventor of the al Palazzo in May; and the
Festival Internazionale di Organo
Baroque concerto grosso. in September. Classical music
fans should also watch for
Music in Churches
Easter and the Christmas performances by the Orchestra
One of Rome’s main attractions festivities are great times for di Roma e del Lazio at Teatro
for classical music is the rich atmospheric concerts. Argentina (see p353).
repertoire in the city’s churches. It is always worth checking
Always sacred in theme (by Orchestral, Chamber, which musicians are due to
decree of Pope John Paul II), be playing at the Teatro Ghione,
music is mainly performed and Choral Music the Oratorio del Gonfalone, and
as concerts rather than Up until the opening of the especially the Aula Magna
during services. Renzo Piano-designed Parco dell’Università La Sapienza,
Programs are posted around della Musica on the Via Flaminia which has one of the most
the city and outside the in 2002, with its three audit- innovative programs of classical
churches. You will often find very oriums and open-air arena, the and contemporary music.
good musicians playing in the Auditorium Conciliazione, and
main churches, while the smaller, the Teatro dell’Opera had been
out-of-the-way churches Rome’s two main auditoriums. Outdoor Summer
Concerts
frequently have young musicians, All venues have their own
and amateur choirs as well. resident orchestras and choirs, In the summer, music lovers
St. Peter’s (see pp228–9) hosts and offer varied seasons that can enjoy concerts in cloisters,
one major RAI (national broad- include visiting groups, and palazzo courtyards, and ancient
casting company) concert on soloists from all over the world. ruins. Concerts can be one-
December 5, attended by the Rome’s own Orchestra e Coro time events or part of a festival
Pope and free to the general dell’Accademia di Santa Cecilia program, regular fixtures or
public. It has two established performs at the Parco della impromptu. Do as the Romans
choirs. The Coro della Cappella Musica throughout the year. do: wait until the last moment
Giulia sings at the 10:30am mass The season at the Teatro and keep an eye on the posters
and 5pm vespers on Sunday. Olimpico usually offers good and listings pages (see p346).
The Coro della Cappella Sistina chamber music, some orchestral Outdoor opera and dance
sings whenever the Pope concerts, and ballet, with at have their summer home in
celebrates mass here, as on June least one concert a week. the Baths of Caracalla (see p199),
29 (St. Peter and St. Paul’s Day). Although a variety of clas sical which provide a splendid
Important choral masses concerts take place at the backdrop to performances.
also take place on January 25 Accademia Filarmonica Classical concerts are often
in San Paolo fuori le Mura (see Romana, the emphasis is on part of festivals like Roma-
p269), when the Pope attends, chamber and choral music, with Europa (see p347) but there are
on June 24 in San Giovanni in an internationally renowned also outdoor festivals and
Laterano (pp182–3), and on series of concerts running from concert series dedicated to
December 31 at the Gesù mid-October through mid-May. classical music. Among the
(pp110–11) where the Performances take place in more interesting are those
Te Deum is sung. The church the Sala Casella, which seats that take place in some of the
of Sant’Ignazio di Loyola (see around 180. city’s historic churches. It is
p108) is another favorite Ticket prices for classical well worth checking out the
venue for choral concerts. concerts depend a lot on summer programs for Sant’Ivo
Plainsong and Gregorian performers and venue. The alla Sapienza (see p124) and
chant can be heard in Foro Italico sells tickets for San Clemente (see pp188–9).
Sant’Anselmo every Sunday most concerts for under €15; a The Associazione Musicale
(Oct–Jul) at the 8:30am mass ticket for the Teatro Olimpico Romana organizes Serenate in
and 7:15pm vespers. costs between €15–€25, but Chiostro – a lively and varied

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