Best Opera Concerts in Venice

To enjoy some of the best opera concerts in Venice, you'll have to go to prestigious venues and theatres throughout the city, including the Ateneo di San Basso and the Palazzo delle Carceri in St. Mark's Square. During concerts you will have the opportunity to enjoy the talents of some of Venice's finest opera singers and musicians.

This activity is undoubtedly one of the best things to see and do in Venice because you will get to see and enjoy works by famous composers such as Antonio Vivaldi and Georg Friedrich Handel. By watching these works, you will not only have the opportunity to enjoy great music, but you will also travel back to the golden age of the city. If you prefer, you can also sign up for an exciting live baroque programme.

If there is one theatre that should be at the top of this list, it is the Teatro La Fenice, because it is one of the most famous opera houses in the world, having earned its reputation for its architectural beauty, superior acoustics and long history of opera productions.

To give some context to the history of this place, you should know that La Fenice opened its doors in 1792, but has since been destroyed by fire and other calamities, but has also been rebuilt several times throughout its history, most recently in 2003. Since then it has been used for opera productions.

Throughout its history, La Fenice has been the setting for numerous world premieres, including Gioachino Rossini's operas "Tancredi" and "Semiramide", Giuseppe Verdi's "La Traviata" and Gaetano Donizetti's "I due Foscari". Nowadays, operas are also performed here, as well as ballet productions and classical music concerts.

It is a nice place to go not only to see the opera, but also to admire its stage and to walk around the surrounding area, where you can also see incredible tourist sites such as the Basilica of St. Mark. As well as wandering around the exhibition halls, you will have the opportunity to buy some souvenirs in the shop inside.

Details of interest

• Price: Ticket prices for these shows will depend on the time and type of show, but generally you will have to pay around 11 euros per person to enjoy these events.
• Hours: La Fenice has a varied programme of operas, ballets and concerts throughout the year, but generally shows are presented from Monday to Sunday between 9.30am and 6pm.
• Location: it is located in the district of San Marco in the countryside of the same name, within the city of Venice.

Getting tickets for the Doge's Palace in Venice is a must if you visit the city, because this building has a rich history and houses the Opera Museum, which presents various exhibits related to the history of opera. The Doge's Palace is special in the city because it has hosted several musical events and concerts, and of course, opera performances.

You'll love visiting the Doge's Palace because inside you'll be able to see many sculptures and mosaics on display. But beyond that, it's a great place to enjoy good live opera, and it's also the site of the Opera Museum exhibition, which is interactive and educational. Inside the exhibition you can see and learn all about opera, but also about the history and culture of Venice.

Regarding the internal structure, the place is special because it offers an authentic and immersive experience of live Italian opera.

Interesting details

• Price: you will have to pay between 13 and 25 euros per person to enjoy this type of opera event.
• Opening hours: The venue is open between 9:00 and 19:00 from April to October; while between November and March, the palace is open from 9:00 to 17:00.
• Location: the Doge's Palace is located in St. Mark's Square in Venice.

Villa Pisani is a stunning villa located in Stra, north of Venice, in the heart of the Veneto region. The most striking thing about this villa is the peaceful and relaxing atmosphere , where you can enjoy opera performances of the highest level. But best of all, in the villa you will not only be able to enjoy amazing opera shows, but also beautiful scenery.

The villa gives you the opportunity to explore its extensive gardens and you will be able to appreciate some of the most beautiful views of the Venetian countryside. You will have many options for sightseeing, appreciating the architecture and the history of the villa. But in addition to the presentation of opera shows, you will have the opportunity to see art exhibitions or attend cultural events within the Villa.

On the other hand, if you haven't yet been to some of the best restaurants to eat in Venice, I recommend you try some of the food they serve here, to get to know a little more about the local gastronomy.

Interesting details

• Price: To enter the Villa Pisani you will have to pay around 11 euros per person.
• Opening hours: Generally this place is closed on Mondays. The rest of the days it is open between 9:00 and 18:00.
• Location: Villa Pisani is located in the town of Stra, in the Veneto region.

One of the jewels you have to visit if you want to see a good opera show in Venice is undoubtedly the Teatro Goldoni, which is located in the heart of Venice, in the Veneto region. To this day, this theatre has been the scene of many notable theatrical performances, and at the same time has been frequented by famous actors and actresses.

Something special about this place is that it is divided into three levels, while the original baroque style of the time when it was built has been maintained to this day. As for the programme of plays and opera performances in the theatre, you should know that plays and musicals in different genres are constantly being presented. Operas and zarzuelas are the most common, although you can also enjoy dramas and comedies.

The best of all is that these performances have a lot to do with Venetian culture, because this place is also ideal to live the opera experience and immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of Venice, even more than you would if you signed up for a gastronomic tour in Venice.

Interesting details

• Price: The entrance fee is approximately 3 euros per person.
• Hours: the theatre is open between 10:00 and 16:00, every day.
• Location: The Goldoni Theatre is located in the heart of Venice.

If you want a much more historical and cultural experience, I recommend you visit the Teatro San Gallo, which is a historic building located in the heart of Venice since the early 18th century. Since then it has undergone countless renovations. However, nowadays it is characterised as an important Venetian cultural institution. Inside this venue you can go and enjoy a wide range of performances.

Among the most important performances you will see inside this venue are opera, ballet, plays and concerts. Prestigious composers such as Antonio Vivaldi and Johann Adolph Hasse have premiered their works here, while famous opera singers such as Maria Malibran and Enrico Caruso have performed here. So you might be able to watch a performer who will later become famous in this theatre.

Inside you can take amazing photos of the beautiful and ornate architecture, as it is built in a baroque style, with intricate frescoes on the ceiling and walls, and elaborate decorations on the balconies and boxes. This is one of the best things to do in the city, after signing up for a gondola ride in Venice.

Interesting details

• Price: to enter the theatre you will have to pay around 20 euros per person, although these prices can change according to the type of show, the seat you want to sit in, and the time of the performance.
• Opening hours: visiting hours may vary depending on the season and the particular show.
• Location: The exact address of this theatre is Calle Gallo in Venice. This street is in the heart of the city, right next to Piazza San Marco.

Another place where you can enjoy the best opera concerts in Venice is undoubtedly the Teatro Malibran, which is a historic site also located in the San Marco neighbourhood near Rialto. It is often referred to as Teatro di San Giovanni Grisostomo. Its stage has hosted some of the most popular operas and renowned artists, including operas by Rossini and Verdi, as well as ballet and other stage performances.

The theatre has a capacity of approximately 800 people, so it is a fairly small venue where you can enjoy some of Venice's best opera plays and shows.

Details of interest

• Price: Ticket prices may vary according to each event or performance.
• Hours: You can go to this venue from Monday to Sunday between 9:30am and 6:00pm.
• Location: The Malibran Theatre is located in the San Marco neighbourhood, near the Rialto area.

If you want to have a cultural opera experience, but at the same time experience a place with history, you have to go and see an opera performance at the San Giacomo di Rialto Church. This is a place where opera performances are frequently held, and it's a popular place for locals and visitors alike, so it's a good place to take a couple of photos before watching the show.

As for its history, it is a place that once functioned as a baroque church, but nowadays , it functions as a perfect place to enjoy all kinds of plays, being some of the most popular ones to see in this place, the classical ones and famous operas. The repertoire of each event may vary according to the artist performing and other characteristics.

Details of interest

• Price: admission to the church itself can be free, while admission to an opera performance can cost around 30 euros per person.
• Opening hours: The church is open every day of the week between 9:00 and 12:00 and then between 16:00 and 19:00. However, the times of the different opera performances may change.
• Location: the Church of San Giacomo di Rialto is located in the district of San Polo, near Rialto Square, in the direction of Campo San Giacomo di Rialto.
• You can visit this and other churches in Venice with the Venice Chorus Pass, which gives you skip-the-line access to more than 15 churches in Venice.

Inside the Vendramin-Calergi Palace, which is one of the most special palaces in Venice, you will have the opportunity to enjoy amazing opera shows, but you can also have some fun in the casino that is inside the Palace premises. One of the best features of this place is that it is a historic residence, so you will be able to learn about its history and how it has witnessed the transformation of Venice through the centuries.

As for the opera hall inside the palace, it has incredible acoustics, so the experience inside is very special for those who enjoy opera. Among the pieces you can enjoy in these spaces are some by famous composers such as Verdi, Puccini and Mozart. In this place you will not only listen to classical music, but you will also appreciate the beauty and history of the place.

Interesting details

• Price: prices to see opera performances at this venue can range from 25 to 35 euros per person.
• Hours: you can go to an opera concert at this venue from 18:00, when the performances start.
• Location: This palace is located on the Grand Canal in the Cannaregio area, which is located in the heart of the city.

The Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista, once a school, is now used for performances of all kinds. Thanks to its facilities with large capacity and good technical details to offer concerts, this is one of the most special places to go to enjoy these shows.

This venue not only functions to present plays and operas of all genres, but it is also a popular place to hold parties and special seasonal events or even themed events that you can participate in during your visit to Venice in 3 days or as long as you are staying.

Interesting details

• Price: You will have to pay around 25 euros per person to go and enjoy a good opera show at the Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista.
• Hours: Opera performances usually take place in the evening.
• Location: This venue is specifically located in Piazza San Giovanni e Paolo, which is also known as Piazza dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo in the Castello neighbourhood of Venice.

The Church of San Vidal is a baroque style church where you will have the opportunity to enjoy amazing opera concerts in every season of the year. About the space itself, you should know that it has a stage where artists of all kinds perform in an intimate and acoustic atmosphere, which makes the experience that much more special.

You will love the concerts in San Vidal because they offer you a unique experience of being able to enjoy music in such a historic and authentic setting as the church. Moreover, this venue is a favourite with locals and tourists alike thanks to its historical importance and its technical and acoustic characteristics.

Interesting details

• Price: Tickets to see an opera performance in the concert hall of the Church of St. Vidal usually cost between 30 and 45 euros per person.
• Timetable: performance times depend largely on the season of the year and the type of work being presented at the venue.
• Location: it is located in the centre of Venice, so it will not be very difficult to get to.