Calendar of events: schedule and tickets for operas, concerts, art exhibits & more

OPERA, BALLET & CONCERT SEASON
This opera house was dedicated to King Victor Emanuel II and is the largest in Italy. Italian architect Giovan Battista Filippo Basile designed and oversaw the construction in 1864. What inspired Basile was ancient and classical Sicilian architecture, so the exterior is reminiscent of the Greek temples at Selinunte and Agrigento.

COSTUMED PARTIES
Venice is a magical city, and at no time is this more true than during the two weeks leading up to Mardi Gras, when the historical city celebrates the Carnival of Venice, a tradition first recorded over 700 years ago. Ordinary Venice is exciting, but Venice during the Carnival is spellbinding, with a historically rich mixture of performance and dining, and, of course, the magnificent costumes, including the extravagant masks for which Venice is so famous.

CONCERTS & OTHER EVENTS
Held each summer in Spoleto, the Festival dei Due Mondi was started in 1958 but the composer Gian Carlo Menotti. The festival is known for its varied offerings including concerts, operas, ballet, and art.

OPERA, BALLET & CONCERT SEASON
La Fenice Theatre was inaugurated in 1792, and became, right from the start, the official theatre of Venice. In the 19th century, many famous operas premiered in this theater.

OPERA, BALLET & CONCERT SEASON
Also known as La Scala, the Teatro alla Scala was inaugurated on August 3, 1778 and was originally known as the Nuovo Regio Ducale Teatro alla Scala (New Royal-Ducal Theatre alla Scala). The premiere opera was Antonio Salieri’s ‘Europa Riconosciuta’.

OPERAS & CONCERTS
The Arena di Verona is a Roman amphitheater that was built in 30 AD and is still used for operas and concerts. It is among the world’s best-preserved ancient structures. The beautiful structure was home to popular events until suffering damage during an earthquake in 1117.