We heard about this thrice weekly performance, quite by chance from other guests at the hotel where we were staying. The hotel booked our tickets which were 20 euros each and off we went. The two singers were excellent and the pianist outstanding. The first half of the performance consisted of five pieces, the doors in the auditorium then opened onto a roof top terrace where we we offered a glass of sparkling wine and could stand and take in the breath taking view of the bay lit up with twinkling lights. We returned to the auditorium for another five pieces and then the encores, when the singers came down amongst the audience. Nothing grand but a lovely way to spend a holiday evening with warm and friendly people and you don't have to be an opera expert to enjoy it.
The little theater in Taormina is a delightful small venue atop a hill in the town of Taormina. The local performers will provide an evening you won't forget. During intermission champagne is served on the terrace! Not to be missed when visiting this charming town.
Excellent way to experience opera in Taormina. For a reasonable price, it is possible to hear a range of Italian arias sung by experienced singers and students, dressed for the part. The concert takes place in an old, tiny theatre, which is very atmospheric. A glass of Prosecco is provided at half time served on the terrace with beautiful views. Get dressed up and enjoy the fun.
It was off season for the tourist numbers but our small audience were well entertained by these big voices and fantastic piano accompaniment. We went, we heard, we bought the CD.
The theater is lovely; the show was lively. We were glad to have spent an evening being entertained by local performers.
Atmosphere and a touch of Italian culture. It is really worthwhile booking tickets to view the opera. These can be booked through the hotel.
If you want to feel Sicily you should go to the Opera place and spend there an evening. They make a short interlude during which everyone goes to a terrace with Corso Umberto view and drink champagne
The Italian Opera concert on the evening we were there, Friday, 24th October 2014 featured Antonella Trifiro - Soprano, Andrea Casablanca - Tenor and Antonio Gennaro - pianist. The evening featured beautiful and well-known operatic arias and some popular Italian songs. It had the potential to be a very pleasant musical evening. However the performances were very disappointing. Soprano Trifiro sang with a very pronounced vibrato and tenor Casablanca displayed no ability to differentiate his dynamics - everything was forte. Both Trifiro and Casablanca were very awkward on stage and had little sense of theatrical presentation. Accompaning pianist Gennaro was best of the three although attempting to reproduce the overture to 'The Marriage of Figaro' on a piano was probably a step too far. Overall, very amateurish and not worth the €20 despite the free bubbly at the interval.
A small recital in an early 20th century cinema building, including wonderfully compelling performances by up-and-coming young Renato Scotto acolyte, Andrea Casablanca. Oh, and you get a glass of bubbly in the intermission thrown in. Fun.
This was an evening to remember...the opera hall was fairly small and sat about 100 people. The singers sang parts from several different Operas and keep the evening lively. During the intermission they served Champagne out on the roof top garden. This was a wonderful introduction to opera and a very romantic city.