Florence Concerts and Opera

Florence is a city where culture and art vibrate in every corner. In its streets you can observe the rich architecture preserved over the years and the works of art housed in its buildings. Thus, a visit to this cultural metropolis of the West is also a perfect opportunity to enjoy Italian opera and other musical concerts to delight the ears.

If your plans on what to see and do in Florence include attending the opera or a musical performance, here you will find a list of options that includes visits to venues such as the Florence Cathedral, the Opera Museum and the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Theatre. You can also consider visiting churches such as St. Mark's or Santa Croce, which offer high quality performances almost all year round. Here are the options and details.

The Three Tenors Concert is one of the favourite musical events for visitors to Florence. It is a unique musical experience where you will listen to several famous opera arias in an intimate atmosphere during the evening.

In addition to showcasing the musical mastery of opera and the technical quality of the artists performing in the show, this event is also a tribute. Its name pays tribute to the three great tenors of Italian opera: Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo and José Carreras. These three great artists formed a musical triad that for many years delighted hundreds of people worldwide.

The show usually lasts about 90 minutes and during the performance it is common to hear classical pieces such as La Traviata, O Sole Mio, Rigoletto and Tosca. As a night-time activity, going to this concert is always on the list of those who want to enjoy Florence at night

Useful information

• Price: generally, the entrance fee is from 28€ per person.
• Time: this type of event takes place in the evening, at approximately 20:00.
• Address: Piazza di Santo Stefano, 50122.

The Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino is one of the epicentres of opera in Florence in particular and in Italy in general. This is because practically all year round it offers visitors and locals alike a calendar full of options to choose from.

This venue, described as an icon of the city's cultural life, opened its doors in 2014 and since then has become one of the favourites of opera and classical music lovers. Its programme includes contemporary pieces by local and international artists as well as great classics by Verdi and Puccini.

Depending on the month you are in the city, your visit may coincide with the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Festival, an annual event that usually takes place in August in Florence or other summer months . The event brings together hundreds of artists who will delight your ears with their musical performances.

Useful information

• Price: the cost can vary according to the performance and is estimated between 35€ and 130€ per person.
• Hours: There are afternoon and evening performances at approximately 15:30 and 20:00.
• Address: Piazza Vittorio Gui, 1, 50144.

The Anglican Church of St. Mark is another destination that cannot be left out of this list. Besides functioning as a religious centre, it is also a space for the appreciation of opera and classical music, which you will be able to appreciate if you go to Florence in September, with the autumn programme or at any time of the year.

Dozens of artists perform here every year, delighting audiences with their interpretations. You will see operatic duets perform Neapolitan, Tuscan and classic Italian music. Tenors, sopranos, basses, mezzo-sopranos and baritones will take to the stage, sometimes in character, to immerse you in the story they tell.

St. Mark's English Church usually hosts almost continuous performances by the Compagnia d'Opera Italiana Firenze, with an extensive selection of pieces such as La Traviata, La Bohème and Le Nozze Di Figaro or intimate performances of some of Giacomo Puccini's works.

The best thing is that, due to its location, attending an opera concert in this temple can be combined with other activities; such as visiting the Palazzo Vecchio and the Ponte Vecchio, approximately 11 minutes walk from the church.

Useful information

• Price: the entrance fee is usually around €25 per person.
• Opening hours: these events take place in the afternoon and evening, at approximately 15:00, 20:00 or 21:00.
• Address: Via Maggio 18.

The Piazza del Duomo is one of the symbols of Florence and encompasses several of its most important buildings such as the Battistery of San Giovanni, Giotto's Campanile, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo. These last two places are home to musical treasures that will please your ears.

Due to its strategic location in the heart of Florence, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is one of the main venues for concerts, with religious and cultural events such as an annual Festival of Sacred Music, performances of pieces by great classical artists such as Bach, exhibitions of religious music throughout history and more.

In the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo the options multiply, because almost all year round this venue hosts the events programmed by the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore. Here local and international artists of diverse musical influences perform in genres such as jazz, independent music and avant-garde styles, among others.

The best thing is that you can combine attending a concert with a guided tour of the Duomo complex and all its attractions, for an enriching experience rich in art and culture of the West.

Useful information

• Price: most concerts in the Duomo area are free of charge.
• Opening hours: these types of events take place in the evening, at approximately 20:00.
• Address: Duomo Opera Museum and Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.

If you plan to see Florence in 7 days, you will have enough time to join some of the opera concerts at the Basilica di Santa Croce. This religious building of Gothic architecture is also located in the city centre, south of the Arno River and stands out for its interior and exterior beauty.

In addition to housing great works of art by artists such as Donatello and Giotto, this church is the scene of dozens of concerts a year, with a larger programme during the last months of the year.

Inside you can see everything from a concert by The Three Tenors to the Florence Opera Concerts series, which presents an extensive repertoire of arias by the greats of classical music such as Verdi, Mozart, Puccini and Bizet. For about an hour you will listen to marvellous interpretations, generally accompanied by a piano, which will allow you to enjoy the great voices even more.

On the other hand, bear in mind that due to its touristic relevance it is advisable to enter the corners of this temple by means of a guided tour of the Santa Croce basilica, in which you can explore the wonders kept in this religious and artistic centre.

Useful information

• Price: the entrance fee is approximately €29 per person.
• Timetable: these types of events take place in the evening, at approximately 21:00 hours. However, the schedule may vary so please check dates and availability.
• Address: Piazza Santa Croce, 16.

The church of Santa Monaca is located south of the river Arno and is representative of the Renaissance style. This place dates back to the 15th century and today it is also the setting for various cultural performances, especially opera concerts.

In this venue it is possible to listen to the most famous arias of Italian opera, belonging to Gioachino Rossini, Amadeus Mozart, Giussepe Verdi and Giacomo Puccini. As well as enjoying exceptional vocal performances by the various artists featured, you can also see great works of art adorning the venue by Baccio da Montelupo and Giovanni Maria Butteri.

In the intimate atmosphere of this church you can listen to arias from great classics such as Madama Butterfly, The Marriage of Figaro and La Traviata. Many people also purchase experiences that incorporate the concerts and tours that include dinners, so the visit could be perfectly linked to a private gastronomic tour of Florence.

Useful information

• Price: The cost is around €29 per person.
• Opening hours: These types of events take place in the evening, at approximately 21:00.
• Address: Via Santa Monaca, 6.

Although with a less rich calendar than the other options mentioned so far, the Teatro Aurora Firenze-Scandicci is a venue that also hosts opera performances, concerts and festivals in various months of the year.

This venue, located about 12 kilometres from the centre of Florence, hosts performances of great opera classics such as Gioachino Rossini's The Barber of Seville, as well as musical showcases of contemporary artists playing instruments such as the saxophone.

In addition, this venue hosts annual festivals and concerts by local, national and international artists. One of the great advantages is that many of the activities are free, thanks to agreements between organisations. Of course, it is necessary to find out about the programme to determine whether a visit is advisable.

Useful information

• Price: many of the concerts and tickets are free.
• Opening hours: these types of events take place in the evening, at approximately 21:00.
• Address: Via San Bartolo in Tuto - Scandicci FI.

Mentioned among the best churches to visit in Florence, the church of Orsanmichele is a place steeped in history. It was rebuilt in the 14th century and houses sculptures belonging to famous Italian artists such as Donatello and Brunelleschi.

In the heart of the church of Orsanmichele there is an ideal atmosphere to enjoy special notes represented by great musicians and their instruments.

Sacred and classical music are two of the most common genres performed here. Works by Vivaldi, Handel and Bach, as well as other lesser-known composers, are often performed. On the other hand, the performances of sacred music also complement the spirituality of the venue.

Useful information

• Price: Many of the tickets are free of charge.
• Opening hours: These types of events take place in the evening, at approximately 20:00.
• Address: Via dell'Arte della Lana, 50123.

The Friends of Music of Florence are a kind of association dedicated to the organisation of concerts. Their foundation dates back to 1920 and for decades they have offered unique entertainment options to music lovers.

The season of events generally occurs between the months of October to April. This means that if you are in Florence in March, or visit Florence in November, you are likely to find interesting options in their programme.

In this way, you can appreciate the classics of chamber music and avant-garde musical manifestations that are often world premieres. The Teatro della Pergola is the main stage for most of these events. The 350 year old structure will leave you in awe with its large Renaissance-influenced hall.

Useful information

• Price: Ticket prices are usually around €25 per person.
• Opening hours: These types of activities take place in the afternoon and evening, at various times according to the programme.
• Address: Via della Pergola, 12/32.

The Teatro Puccini has almost eight decades of history and, although it does not have the artistic virtuosity of many of the stages described here, the space is striking for its sobriety with a modern style that adapts to the passage of time.

In its large hall you can listen to performances by local, national and international artists, with a diverse programme that aims to offer at least 120 days of shows a year.

If you are looking for contemporary Tuscan music, going to this theatre may be one of the best plans, as part of its musical programme includes it. This cultural space brings together hundreds of artists who find in its interior an ideal place for musical and scenic expression.

Useful information

• Price: the cost of concerts can be around €25 per person.
• Opening hours: These types of events take place in the afternoon or evening.
• Address: Via delle Cascine 41.

Although this activity does not consist of an opera concert or performance, if you are a fan of this wonderful art, I recommend a visit to the Opera Museum. Although this space is mainly an extensive art gallery, it will allow you to get to know part of the history of opera in the city, in the middle of an extensive structure with elegant rooms.

The museum has 28 rooms divided into three floors, which house great masterpieces, relics, samples of sacred art, etc., belonging to exceptional artists such as Michelangelo, Michelangelo, Michelangelo, Michelangelo, Michelangelo, Michelangelo, Michelangelo, Michelangelo, Michelangelo and many others, belonging to exceptional artists such as Michelangelo, Ghiberti, Brunelleschi and Donatello.

Don't miss the Choir Room, on the first floor, which houses the choir stalls of Luca della Robbia and Donatello, along with other artistic pieces such as reliefs. There is also the Bandinelli Choir Room, with various elements (several sculptures and frescoes) dating from 1572. You can also visit this room if you decide to combine it with a guided tour of Brunelleschi's dome and the Opera Museum

Useful information

• Price: about 77€ per person, including the visit to Brunelleschi's dome.
• Opening hours: from 8.30 am to 7 pm. Closed on Tuesdays.
• Address: Via delle Canonica, 1.