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This is an impressive pile. However it was still a surprise to learn that it’s the largest opera house in Italy, outstripping Milan’s La Scala or Venice’s La Fenice. It's the 3rd largest in the world and all the greats like Pavarotti, Maria Callas, Joan Sutherland have performed here. The monumental façade has a sweeping staircase, which featured in the final scenes of Godfather III and leads to a Pantheon-like entry. At the top are Corinthian columns, a triangular portico and a lofty Latin inscription across the architrave, “Art renews the people and reveals life. Love of art is in vain if it does not aim to prepare the future” The classical architecture and ancient Greek styling made me think it was much older than it is. I was again surprised to learn that it was actually built in late 19th century, with the first performance, Falstaff by Verdi, on 16th May, 1897. However, it’s still old enough to have a good ghost story. Apparently a nun’s grave was destroyed during the construction and she now haunts the theatre’s backstage. Non-believers and skeptics are liable to trip on a particular part of the staircase known as the nun’s step. I particularly liked the 2 bronze lions, standing either side of the grand staircase. The one on the right looked vicious. His teeth are bared, his tail tuck out, ramrod straight and he looks ready to attack at any moment. It amused us that even the figure sitting on his back, holding a Greek theatre mask, seems a bit alarmed and looks ready to jump off and make good an escape. The lion on the left looks a bit better humoured but perhaps that is because the figure on his back playing the pipes. Maybe a case of music calming the savage beast? You can only see inside by joining the guided tour or having tickets to a performance. The tour (8€) is available several times a day in English and Italian. Although it’s not long (only 30 min), we ran out of time to do this. However, you can see the outside very clearly from the street as there are no other buildings blocking the façade or sides. It is also worth walking past at night if your travels take you that way because it is dramatically lit at night time and looks quite beautiful.…
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Date of experience: February 2020
11 Helpful votes
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We were so fortunate to be in Palermo to experience a semi stage production of Don Giovanni in a time of Covid The covid precautions were very strict as expected and the success of future productions may follow this template although there are financial implications The orchestra stalls were removed to make way for socially distanced orchestra and the orchestra pit was covered to expand the stage Considering the circumstances the singing and music was of highest standard assisted by amazing acoustics of the opera house The fact that most of the 1500 seat capacity was boxes made it easier to be covid compliant with maximum two to a box from different households and three for same household.This reduced the capacity to 250-300 The staging props were replaced by a screen with moving images from Venice with enhanced lighting effects It is an incredibly beautiful opera house performing an opera to highest standards in such challenging circumstances…
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Date of experience: September 2020
1 Helpful vote
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You can get a guided tour for 8 eur. It is only half an hour, but is enough for you to enjoy this outstanding theatre. They do visits until 6pm.
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Date of experience: August 2020
1 Helpful vote
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With more than 7000 square meters, this theatre is Europes biggest after Paris and Vienna. It's impressive for it's architecture and astonishing acoustics. Loved every bit of it.
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Date of experience: October 2020
1 Helpful vote
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Its a must if you’re in town you can also visit th terrace to have a gorgeous view from the too but unfortunately it’s shut due to covid :(
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Date of experience: September 2020
4 Helpful votes
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