Teatro Massimo

Learn more insights from Wanderboat AI

cultural

accessibility

The Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele is an opera house and opera company located on the Piazza Verdi in Palermo, Sicily. It was dedicated to King Victor Emanuel II. It is the biggest in Italy, and one of the largest of Europe, renowned for its perfect acoustics.

Description

Plan your stay

Pet-friendly Hotels in Palermo

Find a cozy hotel nearby and make it a full experience.

Affordable Hotels in Palermo

Find a cozy hotel nearby and make it a full experience.

The Coolest Hotels You Haven't Heard Of (Yet)

Find a cozy hotel nearby and make it a full experience.

Trending Stays Worth the Hype in Palermo

Find a cozy hotel nearby and make it a full experience.

Posts

An international competition for the creation of the opera house was announced by the Palermo Council in 1864 at the instigation of the mayor, Antonio Starrabba di Rudinì. For many years there had been talk of building a large new theatre in Palermo, worthy of the second biggest city in southern Italy (after Naples) and designed to promote the image of the city following the unification of Italy in 1861. The opera house was designed, and overseen by the Italian architect Giovan Battista Filippo Basile, who was well known in Sicily for his previous cathedral restoration design in the city of Acireale, as well as garden and villa designs in the city of Palermo and Caltagirone. Following G. B. F. Basile's death in 1891, construction was then overseen by his son, Architect Ernesto Basile. The Rutelli and Machì Company, represented by Giovanni Rutelli and Alberto Machì (both founding members of the company) was contracted for the main construction of the theatre which, under Architect Giovanni Rutelli's technical and building direction, went from the foundations all the way up to the theatre's attic structures. He was also responsible for all the external decorations of the building. Rutelli initially designed a steam tower crane machine which was then successfully able to lift large stone blocks and Greek/Roman styled columns during construction of the very large theatre. Giovanni Rutelli belongs to a very old and renowned Italian family of confirmed British Isles origin, a family which also includes architects and sculptor artists from the old Sicilian classic and baroque school as well as building contractors, all entrepreneurs going back to the first half of the 18th century in Palermo. Along with Architect D. Mario Rutelli (Giovanni's great-grandfather), they were considered to be among the most technically and artistically specialized experts in Sicily at that time, especially because of Mario Rutelli and his descendants' profound knowledge and experience in Ancient Greek/Roman architecture, as well as the Norman architectural style. This style required the use of natural thick stone, all of which was part of the structural design. The two very large bronze statues of lions sitting next to the theatre's monumental stairway entrance were created by Giovanni Rutelli's son, sculptor artist Sir Mario Rutelli and Benedetto Civiletti. Construction started on 12 January 1874, but was stopped for eight years from 1882 until 1890. Finally, on 16 May 1897, twenty-two years after the laying of the foundation stone, the fourth largest opera house in Europe at the time — after the Royal Opera House in London, the Palais Garnier in Paris, and the K. K. Hof-Opernhaus in Vienna— was inaugurated with a performance of Verdi's Falstaff conducted by Leopoldo Mugnone. The interior is decorated and painted by Rocco Lentini, Ettore De Maria Bergler, Michele Cortegiani and Luigi Di Giovanni. Busts of famous composers were carved for the theatre by the Italian sculptor, Giusto Liva (born in Montebelluna, Treviso in 1847) and several of his sons.

CristinaCristina

So if you are in Palermo and like or love opera, you will no doubt want to go here! We were lucky to see Orpheus & Eurydice and had a lovely evening. The opera house itself is stunning. Unlike any other indoor opera event I have been to this house has just one floor, then a huge number of boxes going way up to the very high ceiling - which my photo attempts to show. So far as I could tell, the boxes were all large, each seating about 6 people. When we booked the ticket, three months earlier, we booked the ground floor as close to the front as we could get. Not realising how the theatre was laid out we didn't consider getting a box. In any case we were very happy with our seats. We were 5 rows back from the front. There was a large orchestra (for an opera house) and the introductory overture was great. When the singers came on I thought the orchestra was too loud for the singing, but this faded away as an issue. Whether by deliberate effect of the orchestra or maybe my less than perfect hearing becoming adjusted, I don't know! If you don't love opera, please don't attend a performance. A lady next to me insisted on taking photos on her phone at several critical scenes and the light from the phone screen was most off-putting just when one wanted to be most invested in the performance. I understand a tourist wanting to take a memory back home, but phones should be off during performances. At least it didn't ring!🙂 Definitely a good experience, somewhat spoiled by the inconsiderate person next to me.

David HyndmanDavid Hyndman

Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele di Palermo, Italy's largest opera house, is a cultural gem that seamlessly blends architectural grandeur with artistic excellence. The magnificent structure, inaugurated in 1897, boasts Neoclassical and Art Nouveau elements, creating a visually stunning backdrop for a myriad of performances. The theater's rich history resonates in every corner, from its opulent interiors adorned with intricate frescoes to the grandeur of the auditorium. Attending a performance here is an immersive experience, with exceptional acoustics and a palpable sense of tradition. The diverse repertoire, spanning opera, ballet, and concerts, caters to a wide audience, ensuring there's something for everyone. Tip: Opt for a guided tour to delve into the theater's fascinating history and architecture, gaining insights into its role in Palermo's cultural tapestry. Teatro Massimo stands as a testament to Palermo's cultural vibrancy, offering not just entertainment but an opportunity to immerse oneself in the timeless beauty of the performing arts.

Humberto DapeloHumberto Dapelo

Teatro Massimo, located in the heart of Palermo’s old town on Sicily Island, is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the city. As the third largest theater in Europe, it holds a fascinating history and grandeur that make it a standout experience (only surpassed in size by theaters in Paris and Vienna). With a seating capacity of 1,300, this theater exudes an incredible atmosphere that captures the essence of Italian art and architecture. We took a 40-minute guided tour with a family pack, costing just €30 for four people. The tour was intimate, with only a few of us, which allowed us to fully appreciate the theater’s intricate details and learn about its storied past. The guide was knowledgeable and engaging, making the experience even more enriching. Teatro Massimo is undeniably one of Palermo’s top tourist attractions, and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting. It’s truly worth the time and cost for the insights and beauty you’ll experience.

Hakan GuzganHakan Guzgan

Interesting, enchanting, imposing and impressive... For Euro12 each, the guided tour of Teatro Massimo was well worth the money. The building in and of itself was imposing and impressive, but to fully appreciate the significance of the opera house, one must also explore its interior. Since there were no live performances during our time in Palermo, our best available option was the guided tour in English. Yes, some additional preventive maintenance was needed and no doubt will be done as schedules and funds allow...probably similar to our own homes. Overall, the viewing of Teatro Massimo was both interesting and enchanting, so now we only lack attending a live performance. Throughout our tour, I tended to trail the group a bit. The photo ops were cleaner and mostly devoid of other people.

R K LeeR K Lee

One of the most splendid and gorgeous theatres I have ever been in. Well-maintained, superb stage and brilliant acoustics. We watched My Fair Lady on its final night and it was such an opportunity. It was easy to get tickets from the box office. The architecture and interior is lovely. We wanted to also do the day tour but was unable to fit it in. 10/10 would recommend. Hope to return again! Definitely the highlight of my Palermo trip. The gardens and square upfront are also pretty nice areas to just sit and relax in between the shopping. There is always some interesting event - raising awareness happening in the square. One evening, a local charity had organised for special needs children to visit. It's great to see them utilising such a lovely place for community action as well.

AlexandraAlexandra

Get more from Wanderboat AI

Nearby Attractions Of Teatro Massimo

Palermo Cathedral

4.7

(15.1K)

Click for details

Quattro Canti

4.6

(10.2K)

Click for details

Mercado del Capo

4.3

(5K)

Click for details

Fontana Pretoria

4.6

(3K)

Click for details

Nearby Restaurants Of Teatro Massimo

Taverna Dei Canti

4.5

(3.5K)

Click for details

Trattoria Al Ferro di Cavallo

4.0

(2.7K)

Click for details

FUD

4.4

(2.2K)

Click for details

Pizzeria Frida

4.4

(2K)

Click for details

Overview

4.7

(18.2K reviews)

Phone

+39 091 605 3580

Call

Website

teatromassimo.it

Visit

Deep Dive

A deep dive into Teatro Massimo

An international competition for the creation of the opera house was announced by the Palermo Council in 1864 at the instigation of the mayor, Antonio Starrabba di Rudinì. For many years there had been talk of building a large new theatre in Palermo, worthy of the second biggest city in southern Italy (after Naples) and designed to promote the image of the city following the unification of Italy in 1861. The opera house was designed, and overseen by the Italian architect Giovan Battista Filippo Basile, who was well known in Sicily for his previous cathedral restoration design in the city of Acireale, as well as garden and villa designs in the city of Palermo and Caltagirone. Following G. B. F. Basile's death in 1891, construction was then overseen by his son, Architect Ernesto Basile. The Rutelli and Machì Company, represented by Giovanni Rutelli and Alberto Machì (both founding members of the company) was contracted for the main construction of the theatre which, under Architect Giovanni Rutelli's technical and building direction, went from the foundations all the way up to the theatre's attic structures. He was also responsible for all the external decorations of the building. Rutelli initially designed a steam tower crane machine which was then successfully able to lift large stone blocks and Greek/Roman styled columns during construction of the very large theatre. Giovanni Rutelli belongs to a very old and renowned Italian family of confirmed British Isles origin, a family which also includes architects and sculptor artists from the old Sicilian classic and baroque school as well as building contractors, all entrepreneurs going back to the first half of the 18th century in Palermo. Along with Architect D. Mario Rutelli (Giovanni's great-grandfather), they were considered to be among the most technically and artistically specialized experts in Sicily at that time, especially because of Mario Rutelli and his descendants' profound knowledge and experience in Ancient Greek/Roman architecture, as well as the Norman architectural style. This style required the use of natural thick stone, all of which was part of the structural design. The two very large bronze statues of lions sitting next to the theatre's monumental stairway entrance were created by Giovanni Rutelli's son, sculptor artist Sir Mario Rutelli and Benedetto Civiletti. Construction started on 12 January 1874, but was stopped for eight years from 1882 until 1890. Finally, on 16 May 1897, twenty-two years after the laying of the foundation stone, the fourth largest opera house in Europe at the time — after the Royal Opera House in London, the Palais Garnier in Paris, and the K. K. Hof-Opernhaus in Vienna— was inaugurated with a performance of Verdi's Falstaff conducted by Leopoldo Mugnone. The interior is decorated and painted by Rocco Lentini, Ettore De Maria Bergler, Michele Cortegiani and Luigi Di Giovanni. Busts of famous composers were carved for the theatre by the Italian sculptor, Giusto Liva (born in Montebelluna, Treviso in 1847) and several of his sons.

CristinaCristina

So if you are in Palermo and like or love opera, you will no doubt want to go here! We were lucky to see Orpheus & Eurydice and had a lovely evening. The opera house itself is stunning. Unlike any other indoor opera event I have been to this house has just one floor, then a huge number of boxes going way up to the very high ceiling - which my photo attempts to show. So far as I could tell, the boxes were all large, each seating about 6 people. When we booked the ticket, three months earlier, we booked the ground floor as close to the front as we could get. Not realising how the theatre was laid out we didn't consider getting a box. In any case we were very happy with our seats. We were 5 rows back from the front. There was a large orchestra (for an opera house) and the introductory overture was great. When the singers came on I thought the orchestra was too loud for the singing, but this faded away as an issue. Whether by deliberate effect of the orchestra or maybe my less than perfect hearing becoming adjusted, I don't know! If you don't love opera, please don't attend a performance. A lady next to me insisted on taking photos on her phone at several critical scenes and the light from the phone screen was most off-putting just when one wanted to be most invested in the performance. I understand a tourist wanting to take a memory back home, but phones should be off during performances. At least it didn't ring!🙂 Definitely a good experience, somewhat spoiled by the inconsiderate person next to me.

David HyndmanDavid Hyndman

Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele di Palermo, Italy's largest opera house, is a cultural gem that seamlessly blends architectural grandeur with artistic excellence. The magnificent structure, inaugurated in 1897, boasts Neoclassical and Art Nouveau elements, creating a visually stunning backdrop for a myriad of performances. The theater's rich history resonates in every corner, from its opulent interiors adorned with intricate frescoes to the grandeur of the auditorium. Attending a performance here is an immersive experience, with exceptional acoustics and a palpable sense of tradition. The diverse repertoire, spanning opera, ballet, and concerts, caters to a wide audience, ensuring there's something for everyone. Tip: Opt for a guided tour to delve into the theater's fascinating history and architecture, gaining insights into its role in Palermo's cultural tapestry. Teatro Massimo stands as a testament to Palermo's cultural vibrancy, offering not just entertainment but an opportunity to immerse oneself in the timeless beauty of the performing arts.

Humberto DapeloHumberto Dapelo

Teatro Massimo, located in the heart of Palermo’s old town on Sicily Island, is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the city. As the third largest theater in Europe, it holds a fascinating history and grandeur that make it a standout experience (only surpassed in size by theaters in Paris and Vienna). With a seating capacity of 1,300, this theater exudes an incredible atmosphere that captures the essence of Italian art and architecture. We took a 40-minute guided tour with a family pack, costing just €30 for four people. The tour was intimate, with only a few of us, which allowed us to fully appreciate the theater’s intricate details and learn about its storied past. The guide was knowledgeable and engaging, making the experience even more enriching. Teatro Massimo is undeniably one of Palermo’s top tourist attractions, and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting. It’s truly worth the time and cost for the insights and beauty you’ll experience.

Hakan GuzganHakan Guzgan

Interesting, enchanting, imposing and impressive... For Euro12 each, the guided tour of Teatro Massimo was well worth the money. The building in and of itself was imposing and impressive, but to fully appreciate the significance of the opera house, one must also explore its interior. Since there were no live performances during our time in Palermo, our best available option was the guided tour in English. Yes, some additional preventive maintenance was needed and no doubt will be done as schedules and funds allow...probably similar to our own homes. Overall, the viewing of Teatro Massimo was both interesting and enchanting, so now we only lack attending a live performance. Throughout our tour, I tended to trail the group a bit. The photo ops were cleaner and mostly devoid of other people.

R K LeeR K Lee

One of the most splendid and gorgeous theatres I have ever been in. Well-maintained, superb stage and brilliant acoustics. We watched My Fair Lady on its final night and it was such an opportunity. It was easy to get tickets from the box office. The architecture and interior is lovely. We wanted to also do the day tour but was unable to fit it in. 10/10 would recommend. Hope to return again! Definitely the highlight of my Palermo trip. The gardens and square upfront are also pretty nice areas to just sit and relax in between the shopping. There is always some interesting event - raising awareness happening in the square. One evening, a local charity had organised for special needs children to visit. It's great to see them utilising such a lovely place for community action as well.

AlexandraAlexandra

Teatro Massimo

Description

Ratings

Description

Plan your stay

Pet-friendly Hotels in Palermo

Affordable Hotels in Palermo

The Coolest Hotels You Haven't Heard Of (Yet)

Trending Stays Worth the Hype in Palermo

Posts

Nearby Attractions Of Teatro Massimo

Palermo Cathedral

Quattro Canti

Mercado del Capo

Fontana Pretoria

Church of St. Mary of the Admiral

Chiesa del Gesù di Casa Professa

Regional Archeological Museum Antonio Salinas

Mercure Palermo Centro

Porta Nuova

La Kala

Nearby Restaurants Of Teatro Massimo

Taverna Dei Canti

Trattoria Al Ferro di Cavallo

FUD

Pizzeria Frida

Ciurma Palermo Maqueda

Ke Palle

Bisso Bistrot

Antico Caffè Spinnato

BIGA Genio e Farina

Osteria Mangia e Bevi

Reviews

Overview

Phone

Website

Duration · 1h

Deep Dive