Teatro Massimo Bellini, Catania, Italy

The Teatro Massimo Bellini is an opera house in Catania. Named after the local-born composer Vincenzo Bellini, it was inaugurated in 1890 with a performance of the composer's masterwork, Norma.

The exterior of the house matches the distinctive Sicilian Baroque style of the neighboring buildings of the late 17th Century. Its marble foyer, the “Ridotto”, is ornate and stuccoed, and a statue of Bellini is located between the central arches. The beautiful red-plush interior includes the main floor seating and four tiers of boxes. Surrounding them, on the upper level, are unusual arched arcades. The painted ceiling by Ernesto Bellandi depicts scenes from four of Bellini's most well-known operas.

Throughout its history, the opera house has performed almost all of Bellini's work. From its beginnings, a wide variety of operas have been performed by some highly renowned singers. In 1951, to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Bellini, Maria Callas sang Norma, repeating her success in 1952 and 1953.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Leonardo Bensi (6 months ago)
Incredible. Guide tour will help you understand all the History of This wonderful theatre

Carla Abrantes (7 months ago)
Absolutely stunning! It was probably the most beautiful theatre I’ve been! Unfortunately the tour of the day I went it was just in Italian but I decided to attend it anyway just bc I wanted to see the theatre. The price was 6.50 euros.

Grant Bremner (10 months ago)
Named after the local-born composer Vincenzo Bellini, it was inaugurated on 31 May 1890 with a performance of the composer's masterwork, Norma and it can seat around twelve hundred and twenty people. The foundation stone was laid in 1812 but its first performance was not until 1822 due to funding problems. Obviously closed now but the exterior is well worth looking at if you are in the area. It is located in the old historical part of Catania.

S. M. (2 years ago)
Wonderful experience all the way: the building, decorating, actors. An interesting mix of innovative theater with classical tradition. Really worth a visit

Muligan Monkey (2 years ago)
Did not let me down . Exceeded my every expectations of my first Opera in Catina Italy.

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