"Catch an opera performance If you get a chance to book seats for a night at the opera in Florence , grab it! The city has a new opera house, the Opera di Firenze, a €150 million theatre complex near the Cascine Park. Opera was born in this city when Jacopo Peri’s ‘Dafne’, was performed at Palazzo Corsi on Via Tornabuoni in 1598, and has always played an important part in cultural life here. The soaring cubic complex constructed on a plot near the Cascine Park was designed by Paolo Desideri twinkles from within at night: It houses a handsome 2,000-seater opera theatre equipped with state-of-the-art stage equipment, a yet-to-be-inaugurated second auditorium and an outdoor amphitheater for summer performances. Try and catch a performance of something Italian, maybe some Puccini, Bellini or Verdi. The Florentines do it very well!"
The balcony seats were terrible. I was sitting in the second row of the balcony and the view was completely blocked by the half wall at the front of the balcony. I couldn't see the stage at all. I could barely see the percussionists at the back of the stage. I might as well have been listening to the concert on the radio.
The tickets should have been cheaper with a note that the view was obstructed. It was a very disappointing evening after spending a good amount on a ticket and only being able to listen, not see anything.
Chris Bloomfield
Google
Staff was friendly. Opera was magnificent. Parking was non existent, so you have to park somewhere else.
Joe Crapitto
Google
Wonderful performance. Glad we were able to enjoy Verdi’s Aida while visiting Florence this summer.
Kristopher Cumbermack
Google
Wonderful facility and acoustics. Very easy to access via public transportation or taxi. The Florence symphony is an incredibly talented group. My wife father and I loved the performance.
Laura
Google
Easy to walk to from central Florence station. Saw an opera. They have a caffè and a wine bar and food during intermission. Lots of bathrooms
Michael Berry
Google
I went to see Madame Butterfly. The production was amazing. I'm not a huge fan of the story of Madame Butterfly but that's a completely different topic. Anyway the facility is amazing. The staff were very friendly and helped me find my seat. I would definitely go back and see another production there.
Lucy Wheeler
Google
We attended a wonderful concert. Online ticket office was straightforward and transport to the theatre was too. Plenty of taxis available afterwards. Really good organisation. A lovely evening.
Guy Prefontaine
Google
Great venue, awesome acoustics, luxurious appointment, modernist building. Great performance, awesome orchestra, world-classed choreography, all voices, perfect tone, pitch, range.
Mark O.
Yelp
This Theatre, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, is at the end of a long sidewalk off the Porto al Prato tram stop.
The building is gray concrete on the outside but wait until you go in.
Interior: Inside I found a warm inviting hall with bright wood floors with warm gray walls. The walls are finished in a hard surface that resembles curtains. Very elegant.
Seat are crushed velvet and each patron has their own armrest on both sides. Seats are not tight and I had enough legroom at 6'2"
I attended Madama Butterfly.
What a show!
Florence has a lot to offer world travelers, but if you like the arts, see if a show is playing during your visit.
Definitely recommend.