Taormina Italian Opera Performance at the Nazarena Theatre

The Nazarena Theatre in Taormina

The Nazarena Theatre is an elegant, richly decorated hall in the heart of Taormina, admired for its architecture and its intimate size: even from the back rows you are only a few metres from the singers, and every note fills the room. With the VIP ticket you sit in the reserved front rows, close enough to see every expression on the performers' faces.

Before the show, VIP guests can enter from 20:30 and step out onto the terrace in front of the theatre, which looks over the bay that gave Taormina its nickname, the Pearl of the Ionian Sea. In summer the evening light over the water and the coast is a beautiful start to the night, and it is a calm place to enjoy your first drink before the performance.

An evening of Italian opera: arias and duets

Italian opera was born around 1600 and grew into one of the great art forms of Europe, and Sicily has always had a passionate audience for it. This Taormina opera concert gathers the most famous arias and duets of the repertoire, from playful comic scenes of the eighteenth century to the great romantic tragedies of the nineteenth, pieces many people recognise even without knowing their titles.

The singers are professionals who perform on national and international stages, accompanied in the hall by an experienced pianist. The programme booklet in English explains each piece and the story behind it, so you can follow the drama even if you have never been to the opera. It is an ideal first opera experience as well as a treat for those who already love the genre.

Opera tickets in Taormina: timing and practical tips

The show starts at 21:15 and lasts about an hour and a half with an interval, when the second drink is served. Standard ticket holders enter from 20:45 and sit in unreserved seats behind the VIP area, while VIP guests enjoy fast-track entry from 20:30 and reserved front-row seats. Your ticket is shown on your phone at the entrance.

There is no strict dress code, but smart casual clothing suits the elegant setting, and a light layer is useful for the terrace on cooler nights. Children aged seven and over can join, and the show is short enough for younger audiences. Booking ahead is wise in summer, when the best seats for opera in Taormina sell out quickly.

Taormina by night

The theatre lies in the old town, a few steps from Corso Umberto, the pedestrian street that runs between the medieval gates of Porta Messina and Porta Catania. After the show the street is still lively, and Piazza IX Aprile, the panoramic square halfway along, offers a wonderful view of the lit-up coastline and, on clear nights, the dark outline of Mount Etna.

If you are visiting Taormina for a day or two, the opera fits perfectly after a morning at the Ancient Greek Theatre and an afternoon at Isola Bella. The best time to visit Taormina for evening events is from spring to autumn, when nights are mild. Allow time to find parking if you drive up; many visitors simply walk from their hotel.