The beautiful Opera House in Rome is an attraction in itself, but the best way to enjoy it is by buying a ticket for one of the many performances in the building. There are ballets and opera performances in the building throughout the year, and the different pieces are normally running for 1-4 weeks before some new famous piece will follow.
What’s on in the Opera in Rome in 2024?
This light might not be 100% accurate, but we are doing our best to keep it updated. You can buy tickets for the different performances at TicketOne. If there are no tickets left, then you can buy tickets for the different performances from others directly at the popular ticket marketplace Viagogo.
- March 7-16: Salome
- March 15: Roberto Abbado
- April 9-27: La Sonnambula
- May 2-9: Jenufa
- June 1-12: Otello
- June 19-27: Swan Lake
- September 14-22: Sleeping Beauty
- October 11-19: Peter Grimes
- October 26 – November 2: La Rouge et le Noir
If you want to learn more about how you can travel to the Opera House in Rome, or about attractions nearby, take a look at our article about the Opera House in Rome.
A few words about the upcoming Opera performances in Rome.
It can sometimes be hard to understand what an opera is about if you don’t read an introduction to the piece before you watch it. Below you can read short introductions to the different opera performances in the Opera House of Rome in 2024.
Salome
The composer of the opera “Salome” is Richard Strauss. He was a famous German composer who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Strauss was known for his innovative and expressive music, which often pushed the boundaries of traditional classical music.
What is the opera about?
“Salome” is based on a biblical story that has been retold in various forms throughout history. In the opera, Salome is a young woman who becomes infatuated with John the Baptist, also known as Jokanaan. Despite Jokanaan’s rejection of her advances, Salome becomes increasingly obsessed with him.
The story takes a dark turn when Salome’s stepfather, King Herod, offers her anything she desires in exchange for dancing for him. Salome, influenced by her mother, Herodias, asks for the head of Jokanaan on a silver platter.
Despite Herod’s protests, Salome’s request is granted, and she receives Jokanaan’s severed head. In a twisted and macabre climax, Salome expresses her love for Jokanaan’s lifeless head before ultimately meeting her own tragic fate.
“Salome” is known for its intense and dramatic music, which captures the emotional turmoil of the characters and the dark themes of the story. It remains one of Richard Strauss’s most famous and controversial works, captivating audiences with its powerful storytelling and haunting melodies.
La Sonnambula
The composer of the opera “La Sonnambula” is Vincenzo Bellini. He was an Italian composer known for his beautiful melodies and romantic music.
What is the opera about?
“La Sonnambula” tells the story of a sleepwalker named Amina. She lives in a small village and is about to marry Elvino. However, complications arise when she sleepwalks into the bedroom of another man, Count Rodolfo. Through misunderstandings and dramatic twists, Amina’s innocence is eventually proven, and she and Elvino reunite, living happily ever after.
Jenufa
The composer of the opera “Jenufa” is Leoš Janáček. He was a Czech composer known for his unique and expressive music that often reflects the rhythms and melodies of the Czech language.
What is Jenufa about?
“Jenufa” is a tragic story set in a small Moravian village. It follows the struggles of the young woman Jenufa, who becomes pregnant out of wedlock. Her stepmother, the Kostelnička, tries to protect the family’s reputation by secretly killing Jenufa’s newborn baby. As the story unfolds, secrets are revealed, relationships are tested, and ultimately, Jenufa finds hope and redemption despite the tragedy that surrounds her.
Otello
The composer of the opera “Otello” is Giuseppe Verdi. He was an Italian composer famous for his powerful and emotional music that captures the essence of human drama.
What is Otello about?
“Otello” is based on William Shakespeare’s play “Othello.” It tells the story of the noble Moorish general Otello, his beloved wife Desdemona, and the villainous ensign Iago. Through a web of jealousy, manipulation, and deceit spun by Iago, Otello’s trust in Desdemona is shattered, leading to a tragic climax where misunderstandings and deception result in devastating consequences for the characters.
Swan Lake
The composer of the ballet “Swan Lake” is Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. He was a famous Russian composer known for his beautiful and emotional music.
What is “Swan Lake” about?
“Swan Lake” tells the story of a young prince named Siegfried who falls in love with a beautiful swan princess named Odette. Odette has been cursed by an evil sorcerer, Rothbart, and can only take human form at night. During the day, she and the other swan maidens are transformed into swans. Siegfried promises to break the curse and marry Odette, but Rothbart intervenes by deceiving Siegfried into declaring his love for Rothbart’s daughter, Odile, disguised as Odette. In the end, Siegfried and Odette choose to die together rather than live apart, breaking the curse and finding eternal love.
Sleeping Beauty
The music for the ballet “Sleeping Beauty” was composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, a famous Russian composer known for his beautiful melodies and emotional compositions.
What to expect if you decide to watch “Sleeping Beauty” in Rome?
“Sleeping Beauty” is a classic fairy tale ballet that tells the story of Princess Aurora, who is cursed to sleep for a hundred years by the wicked fairy Carabosse. The curse is broken by the kiss of a handsome prince named Florimund. The ballet features a magical world of fairies, a grand royal court, and a dramatic battle between good and evil. In the end, love triumphs, and Aurora and Florimund live happily ever after.
Peter Grimes
The composer of the opera “Peter Grimes” is Benjamin Britten. He was a renowned British composer known for his operas, vocal music, and orchestral works.
What is “Peter Grimes” about?
“Peter Grimes” is a tragic opera set in a small fishing village on the east coast of England. It follows the story of Peter Grimes, a fisherman who is ostracized by the villagers after the death of his apprentice during a storm at sea. Despite his efforts to prove his innocence and redeem himself, Grimes becomes increasingly isolated and tormented by his past. The opera explores themes of guilt, alienation, and the struggle for acceptance in society.
Le Rouge et le Noir
The opera “La Rouge et le Noir” was composed by composer Philippe Fénelon. He is known for his contemporary operas and orchestral works.
What is the story of “La Rouge et le Noir”?
“La Rouge et le Noir” is based on the novel “The Red and the Black” by Stendhal. It tells the story of Julien Sorel, a young and ambitious man from a poor background who rises through the ranks of French society through his intelligence and cunning. Set in the early 19th century, the opera explores themes of social climbing, love, and betrayal against the backdrop of post-Napoleonic France. As Julien navigates the complexities of love and ambition, he finds himself torn between his desires and the expectations of society, ultimately leading to tragic consequences.
