Opera At The Teatro Massimo

The Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele, the largest opera theatre in Italy and one of the biggest in Europe, is situated in Piazza Verdi in Palermo. In order to support Italy's 1861 unification, it was constructed in 1864. The theater, which was built in the late Renaissance style and was intended to hold 3,000 people, now seats 1,350. It is formed like a horseshoe and has seven tiers of boxes rising above an inclined stage. The third largest opera house was finally finished in May 1897, 22 years after the foundation stone was laid. Leopoldo Mugnone conducted a performance of Verdi's Falstaff to celebrate the theater's opening. On a pop culture note, the final scenes of the film The Godfather Part III were filmed at the theatre.

You should drink in the atmosphere at Italy’s largest opera house, a grand affair. Built-in the Neoclassical style in the late 19th century, the building subsequently underwent a lengthy restoration, completed in May 1997. Book a guided tour to check out the seven-tiered grand auditorium with its gilt balconies and glittering chandeliers or, for the ultimate experience, experience the real thing at an evening performance.