The Hideaway, Amandola - Your Le Marche Farmhouse Holiday Home

Our nearby town of Macerata, is famous for the opera and ballet and the highlight is the "Stagione Lirica" which takes place in the 7,000-seater Sferisterio - a huge Neoclassical arena erected by a few wealthy gentlemen living in the area.

Construction began on 2 October 1820, based on a project by Salvatore Innocenzi, which was soon to be halted for three years as the citizens, who had put up the money could not come to an agreement on the designs. They finally chose the drawings by Ireneo Aleandri, who was at the time a young and unknown architect from San Severino Marche. The Sferisterio was eventually inaugurated on 5 Semptember 1829. This, then, was to be a new urban arena, which could accomodate festivals, tournaments, circuses, bull fights, equestrian events and also political meetings. Originally intended to house Italy’s national sport of handball, by around 1909 the game’s popularity began to decline due to the growing enthusiasm for football.

In 1914 The Sferisterio showcased its first operatic performance of Vincenzo Bellini’s NORMA and it was realised that there were great acoustics. Soon it became an open air opera "theatre" and, as a neo-classical monument, is now second only to Verona as Italy's best open air venue.

With prices from only 15 euro's on the balcony, it really is a once in a lifetime experience!

Hints For Visiting The Opera:

Language: Operas are typically performed in their original language with Italian subtitles. Get to understand the story before you go to see the opera!

Duration: Operas, ballets and concerts can run anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours plus.

Dress: Smart dress is required for Italian musical events. You may be turned away if you are dressed too casually. Opening night opera performances require a full dark suit for men, an elegant dress for ladies.

46th Opera 2010 Season

29th July to 10th August

A MAGGIOR GLORIA DI DIO

29th July Giovedì Opening Night 6pm Vespro della Beata Vergine (Chiesa di San Giovanni)

30th July Friday Faust by Charles Gounod 9pm

31th July Saturday La Forza del Destino by Giueseppe Verdi 9pm

1st August Sunday Lombardi alla Prima Crociata by Giueseppe Verdi 9pm

3rd August Tuesday Faust by Charles Gounod 9pm

4th August Wednesday La forza del Destino by Giueseppe Verdi 9pm

5th August Thursday Lombardi alla Prima Crociata by Giueseppe Verdi 9pm

6th August Friday Juditha Triumphans 6pm (Teatro Lauro Rossi) Approx 9pm (Teatro Lauro Rossi)

7th August Saturday Faust by Charles Gounod 9pm

8th August Sunday La Forza del Destino by Giueseppe Verdi 9pm

9th August Monday Lombardi alla Prima Crociata by Giueseppe Verdi 9pm

10th August Tuesday Juditha Triumphans 6pm (Teatro Lauro Rossi) Approx 9pm (Teatro Lauro Rossi)

There are many other venues for music and opera, including Fabriano, Urbino, Fano, Loreto( where an international choir festival takes place in April) and the famous Rossini Opera festival in Pesaro in August.

Fano - Fano Jazz by the Sea - July.
Polverigi - Festival Internazionale Inteatro - contemporary theatre - July
Fano - Il Violino e la Selce - mid-July to early-August
Urbino - Early Music Festival - July
San Severino Marche - Blues Festival - July
Osimo - International Dance Festival - July
Senigallia - International Piano Competition - August-September
Amandola - International Theatre Festival - end August to early September
Castelfidardo - International Accordion Festival early October
Ancona - Jazz Festival - Teatro Sperimentale - early November