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 through 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 the Italian opera and other musical concerts to delight the ears.

If among your plans on what to see and do in Florence is to attend the opera or a musical presentation, here you will find a list of options that includes a visit to places like the Florence Cathedral, the Opera Museum and the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Theater. You may 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 favorite 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 presentation it is common to listen to classic pieces such as La Traviata, O Sole Mio, Rigoletto and Tosca. Being an evening activity, going to this concert is always on the list of those who wish to take advantage of Florence at night.

Information of interest

• Price: generally, the entrance fee is from 28€ per person.
• Hours: this type of event takes place in the evening, at approximately 8:00 pm.
• Address: Piazza di Santo Stefano, 50122.

The Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino is one of the epicenters of opera in Florence in particular and in Italy in general. This is because practically all year round it offers visitors and locals 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 favorites for opera and classical music lovers. Thus, in its programming you will always find both contemporary pieces by local or international artists and great classics by Verdi and Puccini.

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

Information of interest

• Price: the cost may vary according to the performance and is estimated between 35€ and 130€ per person.
• Hours: there are afternoon and evening performances at approximately 3:30 pm and 8:00 pm.
• Address: Piazza Vittorio Gui, 1, 50144.

St. Mark's Anglican Church is another destination that cannot be left out of this list. In addition to functioning as a religious center, it is also a space for the appreciation of opera and classical music, which you can appreciate if you go to Florence in September; with the autumn program or at any time of the year.

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

The Compagnia d'Opera Italiana Firenze performs almost continuously at St. Mark's English Church, 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, because of 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, about 11 minutes walk from the church.

Information of interest

• Price: the entrance fee is usually around 25€ per person.
• Hours: this type of event takes place during the afternoon and evening, at approximately 15:00, 20:00 or 21:00.
• Address: Via Maggio 18.

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. And in these last two places you will find 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 places for concerts, with religious and cultural events such as a Festival of Sacred Music held annually, presentations of pieces by great classical artists like Bach, exhibitions of religious music throughout history and more.

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

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

Useful information

• Price: most concerts in the Duomo area are free of charge.
• Hours: these types of events take place in the evening, at approximately 8:00 pm.
• 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 enclosure of Gothic architecture is also located in the city center, 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 more nourished programming during the last months.

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

On the other hand, keep in mind that because of its tourist relevance it is advisable to enter the corners of this temple through a guided tour of the Basilica Santa Croce, where you can explore the wonders kept in this religious and artistic center.

Useful information

• Price: the entrance fee is approximately 29€ per person.
• Hours: this type of event takes place in the evening, at approximately 9:00 pm. However, the schedule may vary so I recommend checking dates and availability.
• Address: Piazza Santa Croce, 16.

The church of Santa Monaca is located south of the Arno river and has a representative Renaissance style. This place dates back to the 15th century and today it is also the scene of 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. In addition to enjoying exceptional vocal notes from the different artists performing, you can also see great works of art that adorn the place, 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.

Information of interest

• Price: the cost is around 29€ per person.
• Time: this type of event takes place in the evening, at approximately 9:00 pm.
• Address: Via Santa Monaca, 6.

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

This venue, located about 12 kilometers from the center of Florence, hosts performances of great opera classics such as Gioachino Rossini's The Barber of Seville, as well as musical shows by 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 organizations. Of course, it is necessary to find out about the program to determine if it is convenient to visit.

Information of interest

• Price: many of the concerts and tickets are free.
• Hours: this type of event takes place in the evening, at approximately 9:00 pm.
• 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 Orsanmichele church 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 in the church. Works by Vivaldi, Handel and Bach, as well as other lesser-known composers, are often presented. On the other hand, the sacred music shows that are performed also complement the spirituality of the place.

Information of interest

• Price: many of the tickets are free of charge.
• Hours: this type of event takes place in the evening, at approximately 8:00 pm.
• Address: Via dell'Arte della Lana, 50123.

The Friends of Music of Florence are a kind of association dedicated to the organization 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 will most likely find interesting options in their programming.

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.

Information of interest

• Price: ticket prices are usually around €25 per person.
• Hours: this type of activity takes place in the afternoon and evening, at various times according to the schedule.
• 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 program that aims to offer at least 120 days of shows a year.

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

Information of interest

• Price: the costs for concerts can be around 25€ per person.
• Schedule: this kind of events take place in the afternoon or evening.
• Address: Via delle Cascine 41.

Although this activity does not consist of a concert or opera presentation, if you are a fan of this wonderful art, I recommend you to visit the Opera Museum. Although this space is mainly an extensive art gallery, it will allow you 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, Ghiberti, Brunelleschi and Donatello.

Don't miss the Choir Room, on the second floor, which houses the choir stalls by 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 back to 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.
• Hours: from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm. Closed on Tuesdays.
• Address: Via delle Canonica, 1.