Italian Steps - Cultural events - Cultural notes

Fact File

• Italy has a reputation as a country of culture vultures, with opera enjoyed as a popular treat across the social divide. For many people the venue of venues is the world famous Teatro alla Scala, or simply La Scala, opera house. Other fabulous theatres include the Teatro la Fenice in Venice. La Fenice was made even more famous after a mysterious fire in 1996 burned it to the ground. Plans to restore it to its former glory are currently underway.



• Tickets are quite hard to get and you need to book at least a month in advance to have a chance to experience opera in these venues. Seating is often in posti non numerati, unnumbered seats, so be sure you check this when buying tickets, as you may have to arrive early to secure a good position.



• The opera season generally runs from December to June. Schedules of public performances are published in the daily newspapers, such as the Trovaroma Thursday supplement of La Repubblica newspaper, and in flyers available at tourist information kiosks. Look out also for posters outside churches announcing free concerts and recitals of religious music.



• In summer opera is often performed outdoors in ancient basilicas or arenas, such as Rome's imposing Terme di Caracalla. These are the ruins of ancient Rome's public bathhouse, dating back to the 3rd century. Many open-air performances can be quite rowdy events, as the public is encouraged to participate, whistling and shouting if they're not enjoying the show.



• Music lovers can also head to Sanremo on the Italian Riviera for its annual festival of song. The Sanremo Song Festival started out in 1951 as a small festival with only three singers. Today it attracts major stars like Andrea Boccelli, as well as artists like Bono from U2.



• Italy has a great film-making tradition, with names like Federico Fellini and Bernardo Bertolucci among its most successful directors. Italy also hosts a variety of film festivals each year, like the Biennale in Venice, awarding the much-coveted Golden Lion for best film.



• Another major spectator event is football, Italy's second major religion. Italians are some of the most devoted fans in Europe and there's a close rivalry between its teams such as Milan's AC and Inter Milan, Lazio and Roma in Rome, and Turin-based giants Juventus, the team regarded as Italy's equivalent to Manchester United. Their magnificent ground the Stadio delle Alpi is well worth a visit.



• Other spectator events include the Palio in Siena. This is a fast and furious bareback horse race that's held twice a year around Siena's Piazza del Campo. The Palio dates back to the 14th Century with each horse representing different districts of the city. During the 90-second race, riders risk life and limb, mainly those of their horses, in a bid to win the coveted Palio, or banner.



• For more quiet contemplation of some of Italy's stunning art, there are countless museums to visit. One of the most impressive is La Galleria degli Uffizi in Florence, one of the oldest museums in the world. Equally spectacular are the Vatican Museums, where various Popes have amassed vast collections of art and sculpture from Roman through Renaissance periods.



• Finally you can't visit Rome without seeing the Sistine Chapel, site of Michelangelo's masterpiece ceiling and frescoes detailing the life of Christ.