As the gentle glow of each ornate chandelier begins to dim, a hush descends upon the audience before an all-consuming world of tragedy and triumph unfolds. Both exhilarating and deeply moving, a night at the opera has the distinct power to evoke emotion, while offering a unique insight into a perhaps unfamiliar city.
Journey through Europe’s symphony of unmissable opera houses, each steeped in history and grandeur.
Milan
Inaugurated in 1778, Teatro alla Scala remains a global temple of opera where Verdi, Puccini and Rossini once premiered their masterpieces. Revered for its gilded interiors and peerless acoustics, La Scala remains a defining symbol of Italy’s musical heritage. Just a short stroll from Rocco Forte House Milan, along the fashionable Via Manzoni, discover a season rich with timeless performances — from Puccini’s Turandot, first staged here in 1926, to beloved works such as Carmen and La Traviata. Beyond its grand productions, the theatre’s academy nurtures the next generation of talent with family-friendly concerts and ballets, offering an inspiring introduction to the world of opera.
London
The jewel of London’s Covent Garden, the Royal Opera House sits a short drive or a gentle 25-minute stroll from the comforts of Brown’s Hotel. First established as a playhouse in 1732, the current building is the third theatre to be constructed here, following two disastrous fires during the 19th century. It was here that Handel premiered a number of his operas, including Il pastor fido and Ariodante, while today eager audiences can enjoy around 150 performances each season. This season, catch a searing performance of Puccini’s operatic thriller Tosca, alongside Verdi’s spectacular tragedy The Sicilian Vespers, or delve into the history of the Royal Opera House with an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour.
Rome
When in Rome, immerse yourself within enchanting arias at the Teatro dell’Opera. After opening its doors in 1880, the early 20th century saw Italian soprano Emma Carelli become Italy’s first female impresario of a major opera house, bringing a number of premiere performances to the Teatro, including Turandot and Wagner’s Parsifal. A 20-minute walk from Hotel de la Ville, choose from its calendar of magical performances this summer staged within the ancient Caracalla Baths. Elsewhere, explore intimate performances staged within some of the capital’s most atmospheric churches, including St Paul’s Within the Walls, which hosts weekly classical performances within its beautiful, mosaic-adorned setting.
Florence
Hailed as the birthplace of opera, it was in Florence that the young Italian composer Jacopo Peri arrived to study music in the 16th century, before composing Dafne, widely regarded as the first opera. For those visiting early in the summer season, the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, typically occurring from April to mid-June, is a truly mesmerising affair. As Italy’s oldest opera festival, it takes place across the city, including open-air performances at the majestic courtyard of the Pitti Palace and within the historic Teatro della Pergola. Elsewhere, operatic masterpieces unfold within the walls of St Mark’s Anglican Church, a former Medici Palace, a short stroll across the Ponte Vecchio from Hotel Savoy.
From Milan to Florence, discover an evening of magic this summer with Rocco Forte Hotels.
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