Could not get access inside but the building looked fantastic, spoilt a little by some banner protest from the roof.
We just arrived in Catania and wandered on its streets. Impressed by the beautiful facade of the Teatro , we discovered that a Ballet Gala Performance was inside, but it began a 30 minutes ago. We were completely amazed when , the manager in charge hearing and seeing our disappointment offered us a couple of tickets as his guests !The teatro is richly decorated in the style of the Scala de Milano but really , we were so excited by this generous gesture . A great place to be visited as it is an architectural gem.
This is one of most beautiful corner in Catania. Located few steps from Piazza Duomo and Via Etnea, it's a quite impressive building. We only had a look from the outside but if you got time I really think it worths to spend some to visit it. Guided visits are available.The view even from the outside is something special.Many bars nearby where to stop for a beer or a sicilian cannoli.
Teatro Bellini itself is a glorious homage to a period of symphonic and opera greatness. Dressed in its Barogue architecture, overstated roccoco design the hall is a marvel of sound and beauty. I was fortunate to have heard the local Bellini orchestra perform a Brahms concert and being a long time classics fanatic I was so very pleased with the performance in such a lovely historic space. Later with drinks on Piazza Bellini to complete the evening while gazing at the Teatro's exterior magnificence I was thankful of the opportunity to have see and heard such a wonderful edifice to classical music in its full glory.Tours were suggested to be available on Saturdays but I was unable to secure a tour thus attending a concert was my best option.
The theatre is wonderful outside and inside. It is extremely reach of decorations, fantastic walls outside and unforgetable paints inside, in the roof.When the opera start we understand that also the orchersta of Teatro Massimo Bellini is an excelllence. Congratulation to the people of the city to own this magic reality!
But looks beatiful, in the square where the Teatro is, young people gather to play music and enjoy the night. Don't miss it!
Would probably have been good if we were allowed access but for some reason we were not allowed in. We were extremely disappointed as this was something that looked really impressive in the guide books.
Visit this fantastic building and you will not be disappointed. A magnificent lactation for afternoon lunch
Good Teatro to see. Unfortunately its like all the others. Nothing really set it apart from anything else.
Beautiful location to watch a beautiful show. Saw Giselle here in March 2013. Lovely exterior (though watch your purses, there are pickpockets who loiter here), lovely interior. My husband and I opted for gallery seating and realized this was not ideal for us as we are rather tall compared to the locals (he is 6'2", I'm 5'8")… the seats were too small and close together for us to fit, so he had to sit sideways throughout the performance and my knees were pressed against the seat in front of me. It also becomes extremely warm up there as the show continues, so bring a hand fan! Also, in case of fire, you would not want to be seated that high (people move down those stairs very very slowly). In all, a lovely place to visit. Bring a fan, maybe opera glasses, get floor seats, and have some champagne during intermission!