Page 261 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Venice & The Veneto

ENTER T AINMENT IN THE VENE T O  259

Cinema and the
Film Festival
There are several cinemas in
Venice, mainly showing dubbed
versions of international films.
These are known as prima visione
(first run). The Giorgione Movie
d’Essai and Cinema Rossini
show arthouse films as well as
the usual commercial fare.
Multisala Astra screens mainly
blockbusters, as well as some
arthouse films. You will find
these listed in Il Gazzettino.
The annual Film Festival, which
takes place in August and
September, is one of the major
world cinema showcases and
has been running since 1932.
Screenings are held in the
Palazzo del Cinema on the
Lido, the Giorgione and the
Arena di Campo San Polo, an Outdoor entertainment in the courtyard of the Doge’s Palace
open-air cinema. Tickets are sold
to the public direct from the the Doge’s Palace’s courtyard, At Carnival time in February
cinema on the day of screening. albeit occasionally. (see pp34–5), the whole city
Programmes can be obtained in La Fenice (see p97), one of takes on a party atmosphere as
advance from the tourist office. Italy’s most charming opera it is invaded by merry-makers in
houses and the main local fancy dress. Many theatrical
venue for major operas, suffered and musical events take place,
a disastrous fire in early 1996. both in theatres and in the
It reopened in November 2004 streets and campi.
and now shares the opera,
classical music and ballet Facilities for the Disabled
programme with Teatro Malibran.
Venice’s principal theatre is Access for disabled people is
Teatro Goldoni where, not difficult everywhere in Venice,
surprisingly, the repertoire is and theatres are no exception,
mainly drawn from the 250 or although concerts are often held
more comic works written by in easily accessible churches.
the Venetian dramatist Carlo PalaFenice and Teatro Malibran
Goldoni (1707–93). Most guarantee obstacle-free entrance
Teatro Goldoni, Venice’s main theatre performances are staged for the disabled if contacted one
in Italian and run from week in advance (fax: 041 786 50).
Music and Theatre November to June. For more advice, see page 269.
Like many Italian cities, Venice
makes good use of the most
magnificent churches as
concert halls. La Pietà (see
p116) was Vivaldi’s own
church and is still used for
concerts, as are the
churches of the Frari (see
pp106–7) and San Vidal.
Other concerts are held
from time to time in
Scuola di San Giovanni
Evangelista (see p108) and
the Palazzo Prigioni Vecchie,
the old prison attached to the
Doge’s Palace (see pp88–93). In
the summer, the garden of Ca’
Rezzonico (see p130) is also used
as an outdoor concert hall, as is Masked reveller at Carnival time (see pp34–5)

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