Italian Opera Houses and Festivals

This work recreates the social political architectural and performance histories of each Italian opera house by including eyewitness accounts from Italian newspapers journals and books of the time. It covers more than 50 Italian opera houses and festivals organized by their city of origin and geographic region. Each chapter is a journey back in time beginning with the first theaters and performances in the city and concluding with an architectural description of the principal theater and a practical information guide for visitors (including hotel recommendations). The operatic activities of the main theater including inaugurations important performances and world premieres are also covered. A photospread along with brief descriptions of opera-related sites including the birthplaces dwellings and museums of Italy's greatest composers give an even more complete portrait of the art.