Opera in Italy: 15 Performances Worth the Evening

1.Santa Monaca Church Italian Opera Concert Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,692 reviews · 1 hour · from $35Our pick

Spend one hour with professional opera singers and a pianist inside Florence’s Santa Monaca Church, a 1400s building with frescoes and striking acoustics. Hear familiar pieces by Verdi, Rossini, Puccini, Bellini, and Mascagni in an intimate setting. A short intermission gives you time to buy wine, then continue your evening near Santo Spirito.

“The evening was well organised and the church was rustic and charming. We have never been to the opera before and we loved it. The singer and the pianist were superb. Something to note was there didn’t seem to be a washroom so make sure you go before you arrive and it was a very warm evening inside and out; neither of those things spoiled our evening and we would thoroughly recommend! Pure class…”

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2.Puccini Festival Opera Recitals and Concerts

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,278 reviews · 1 hour · from $35

Spend an hour with two professional singers and a pianist in Lucca’s Church of San Giovanni, or the nearby Oratorio di San Giuseppe in winter. Hear Puccini in his hometown, with rotating programs ranging from famous arias to duets by Mozart, Verdi, Rossini, and others.

“This is an absolutely phenomenal experience and a must do when in Lucca!”

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3.Opera Concert at Palazzo Poli – Fontana di Trevi

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,026 reviews · 1 hour · from $47

Spend one hour in Palazzo Poli, the 16th-century palace behind the Trevi Fountain, for an opera concert in Sala Dante. Expect professional singers and musicians, a program of familiar opera and classical pieces, and time to view the fountain from the hall balconies. English and Italian assistance is available.

“Concert - string Quartet with 2 opera singers was amazing!Just the right length. View of the Trevi fountain was beautiful and the seats were very comfortable! Beautiful evening - highly recommend!”

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4.Arena di Verona Opera Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 954 reviews · 1 day · from $58

Choose a 2026 opera at Verona’s ancient Arena, including Aida, Carmen, La Traviata, Nabucco, Turandot, or La Bohème. Collect your ticket at gate 7 on show day, then take your seat for an evening performance beginning at 9:15 PM in June and July, or 9:00 PM in August and September. Add a one-hour English or German walking tour of Verona.

“First time at the opera and what a fantastic place to see your first one ! Excellent”

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5.Taormina: Opera Performance in the Nazarena Theater

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 651 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $35

Spend 90 minutes at Taormina’s Nazarena Theater with professional singers and pianist performing familiar arias and duets by Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, Donizetti, Rossini, and others. You’ll enjoy a glass of Italian Prosecco, water, a terrace overlooking the Bay of Taormina, and an intimate concert that works especially well for first-time opera listeners.

“Lovely experience. Wonderful entertaining performers. Comfortable, historic theater. Performance lasted about 1-1/2 hours with encore. Nice inclusion in any trip to Taormina.”

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6.Italian Opera Night Concert by Candle Glow

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 630 reviews · 1 hour · from $37

Spend an atmospheric hour with Opera da Camera di Roma, hearing a tenor and soprano perform opera arias, duets, and Neapolitan songs with piano accompaniment. Roberto often guides the evening from the piano, adding brief explanations and warm humor. The candlelit historic setting, accessible venue, and $37 price make this a simple introduction to Italian opera.

“Absolutely amazing! Would definitely recommend, even though you might not be an opera person, you would still feel it all the way through your core!”

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7.Italian Opera Concert Ticket in Florence’s Santa Monaca Church

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 602 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $36

Attend a 70-minute evening concert in Florence’s former Santa Monaca Church, where professional singers and a pianist perform arias from La Traviata, Tosca, La Bohème, The Marriage of Figaro, and more. The 9:15pm program is intimate, smart casual, and easy to add after dinner.

“Simple but enjoyable… all three (the pianist and the two opera singers) are very professional, very relaxing night out!”

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8.Italian Opera Concert and Traditional Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 453 reviews · 2 hours · from $94

Spend an evening with the Opera da Camera di Roma, hearing tenor and soprano arias, piano music, Vivaldi, and Neapolitan songs inside the Waldensian Church. The concert begins at 7:30 pm and lasts about 70 minutes. Afterward, walk roughly 500 meters to Enoteca Corsi for a four-course Roman meal.

“It was an absolute fantastic, Opera concert. From start to finish it was a joy to watch. And the acoustics inside the church were brilliant. The Tenor, Soprano and the Pianist were excellent. And the dinner afterwards was lovely. I would definitely go back.”

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9.Italian Opera in Taormina

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 441 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.) · from $36

Spend about 1 to 2 hours at Taormina’s Nazarena Theatre, where a soprano and tenor perform famous arias with piano accompaniment. Your ticket includes prosecco, water, and snacks during the interval, plus access to a panoramic terrace. Shows begin at 9:15 pm, Monday through Friday, depending on the season.

“It was a great experience seeing an Opera in Italy Taormina. The singers were experience singers and sung a well known selection of songs. An enjoyable night.”

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10.Freddie Mercury Opera Show

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 381 reviews · 50 min · from $50

Spend 50 minutes with Italian opera singers and pianist Roberto at the Opera da Camera di Roma Hall. Freddie Mercury and Queen songs are recast for classical voices, alongside Handel and Indian music linked to Mercury’s life. Expect a small audience, table seating, audience participation, and sometimes wine and snacks.

“Location was beautiful also for the acoustic. The lyric singers were really good in interpreting the Great Freddie Mercury!”

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11.Opera Concert Entrance Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 377 reviews · 1 hour · from $32Best value

At 9:15 p.m., professional opera singers and a pianist perform arias by Handel, Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, and others inside Chiesa Santa Maria al Tempio near Santa Croce. The singers and program change by night. Expect an intimate one-hour recital, beautiful frescoes, and a relaxed introduction to opera for $32.

“A fabulous experience. Both the singer and her pianist were amazingly talented, the acoustics were incredible and in a perfect setting. A real highlight of our visit to Florence .”

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12.Opera Concert at Casanova Prisons in St. Mark Square

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 347 reviews · 1 hour · from $46

Meet at the Palace of Prisons beside Doge’s Palace, cross the bridge on the right, and settle into the old Council Hall for a one-hour concert. Opera singers and a pianist perform works by Mozart, Rossini, Puccini, Offenbach, and Lehár. The setting is intimate, historic, and separate from the Doge’s Palace tour.

“Enjoyed every minute of this wonderful performance, great singers and the pianist. Recommend highly to all opera lovers.”

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13.Opera Concert – Tribute to Vincenzo Bellini

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 249 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $41

Spend 90 minutes with two opera singers and the Catania Chamber Orchestra inside the Badia di Sant’Agata, beside Catania Cathedral. The program links Bellini’s music with favorite arias by Verdi, Rossini, Puccini, Bizet, Donizetti, and others. Expect Italian-language hosting, a small ensemble, dramatic church acoustics, and a program that may change.

“We had a very entertaining evening with a very good choice of arias performed by two singers who were clearly enjoying themselves”

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14.“Opera’s Greatest Hits” Opera Concert with Aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 187 reviews · from $40

Spend 75 minutes with opera’s best-known arias and duets at St. Andrew’s Church of Scotland near the Quirinale Palace. Expect works from *Tosca*, *La Bohème*, *Turandot*, and more, performed by professional singers and pianist, followed by wine, snacks, and a chance to meet the artists.

“Beautiful experience! 100% recommended, the musical experience was out of this world and the perfect end for a romantic day in Rome.”

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15.From Lake Garda: Verona Arena Opera Ticket with Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 155 reviews · from $124

Spend an evening at Verona’s Arena with a reserved 6th-sector seat, guided transfers from Lake Garda, and an opera lasting about three hours. English and German-speaking guides, including Francesco, accompany you to the city center and help you regroup after the performance. Expect a long day, late return, and stone-step seating.

“A very good evening at Verona and the Carmen opera. The coach transfer was good with not too many pickups. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. The only negative was the arena only allow a small 500ml of water per person into the arena. They are of course happy to sell food and drinks.”

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