Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Music
Rome's abundance of beautiful settings makes it a superb place to catch a concert. Once it
was overlooked on the international gig circuit, but these days myriad international stars
play in the Eternal City. This artistic revolution is all down to one building: the Auditori-
um Parco della Musica (
Click here
), a state-of-the-art, Renzo Piano-designed complex
that combines architectural innovation with perfect acoustics.
CLASSICAL
Music in Rome is not just about the Auditorium, however. There are concerts by the Ac-
cademia Filarmonica Romana at Teatro Olimpico (
Click here
), the Auditorium Con-
ciliazione (
Click here
), Rome's premier classical music venue before the newer Auditori-
um was opened, is still a force to be reckoned with and the Istituzione Universitaria dei
Concerti (
Click here
) holds concerts in the Aula Magna of La Sapienza University.
Free classical concerts are often held in many of Rome's churches, especially at Easter
and around Christmas and New Year; look out for information at Rome's tourist kiosks.
The Basilica di San Paolo Fuori le Mura (
Click here
) hosts an important choral mass on
25 January and the hymn
Te Deum
is sung at the Chiesa del Gesù on 31 December.
OPERA
Historically, opera in Rome was long opposed by the papacy, and although the first public
opera house opened here in the 17th century, it was only after independence that Rome's
opera scene began to develop.
Rome's current opera house, the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, is a magnificent, grandiose
venue, lined in gilt and red, but productions can be a bit hit and miss. The company moves
outdoors for the summer season at the ancient Roman Terme di Caracalla, an even more
spectacular setting.
You can also see opera in various other outdoor locations: check listings or at the tourist
information kiosks for details.
JAZZ, ROCK & POP
Besides the Auditorium Parco della Musica, large concerts also take place at Rome's
sports stadiums, including Stadio Olimpico and the racetrack on the Appia Nuova, the Ip-
podromo La Capannelle.
Jazz is a popular soundtrack for the Eternal City, and there are numerous jazz and blues
clubs, including Big Mama, Gregory's, Alexanderplatz, the Charity Café and the Casa del
Jazz.
Many bars and nightclubs also host live gigs. San Lorenzo and Pigneto addresses such
as Locanda Atlantide, Esc Atelier, Dimmidisi and Circolo degli Artisti host alternative
