Theatro Massimo, Palermo

1 more image

1860 saw Sicily annexed to the newly united Kingdom of Sicily. These were good times for Palermo. The city was appointed the administrative capital of the island and new investments saw economic and industrial expansion. The population grew and a building boom saw expansion beyond the boundaries of the old historical centre, into an area known as Citta Nuova on the north-west side of the city. Art Nouveau was all the rage all over Europe and there was money in Palermo to indulge the taste for new buildings in the latest style. There was money for, and pride in, grand new public buildings and equally grand private homes. More than anywhere in Italy, Palermo took to the new style and developed its own version - known as Liberty style. One new street in the Citta Nuova had so many houses built in the new style, it was (and still is) actually called Via Libertà.

Although not built in Liberty style, the new opera house, the Teatro Massimo, was to become the focal symbol of the city's regeneration. It's grand neo-Classical facade dominates the Piazza Giuseppe Verdi. The biggest opera house in Italy, it opened to great acclaim in 1897, 22 years after it was begun, with a performance of Verdi's Falstaff.
It took even longer to complete the restoration begun in 1974, due largely to corruption and political point-scoring. The doors finally opened again in 1999, just four days short of the centenary.

Most of the money for these new buildings came from the newly-rich middle class. The old aristocracy may have been happy to be seen at the opera but they stuck to their country estates and their palazzos in the old town along with their almost feudal way of life. For a revealing glimpse into the last days of this society, set in the final years of the 19th century, Simonetta Agnello Hornby’s "The Marchesa" makes a great book to take with you as you set off for Sicily.

1 more image

At the beginning of XIX century, Palermo has a period of urbanistic expansion. The new and rich upper class chose the north-west part of the city to build up brand new houses in the eclettic style.

In that zone was built, starting since 1875, one of the larger in Europe: the opera house "Teatro Massimo". Inaugurated on 16th May 1897 with Enrico Caruso amongst the others young tenors.

You can visit Tue-Sun 10am to 4pm.
Guided tour last 25 min, at the price of 3 euro.

The Teatro Massimo is one of the largest opera theaters in Europe and is one of Palermo’s most important buildings.
The theater was designed by Gian Battista Basile around 1868 and was built by his son Ernesto, who supervised the works starting from 1891. This change of hands resulted in a classical style exterior (inherited from the original project) and Liberty style inside, following the work of Ernesto Basile. In 1997, the theater was renovated and reopened to the public, after twenty years of neglect and disuse.

The theater is one of the largest opera theater stages in Europe and is one of Palermo’s most important buildings
The theater was designed by Gian Battista Basile and was built by his son Ernesto, who supervised the works starting in 1891. This change of hands resulted in a classical style exterior and Liberty style inside. In 1997, the theater was renovated and reopened to the public, after twenty years of neglect.

This is 3rd biggest theatre in Europe. It's a very beautiful and big building build in neo-classic style. It was desinged by Giovanni Battista Basile. Due to the expensive costs the building is closed for more then 10 years.

The huge and famous Massimo Theatre, one of the most capacious and famous opera house in Italy, was built at the end of the 19th century by the architecs Gian Battista and Ernesto Basile. It is a building of neo-classical inspiration.

Many notable baroque buildings were brought down to create a wide place and actually it occupies a surface area of 7730 square metres.

The theatre will be opened May the 12th with a concert played by the "Berliner" directed by C. Abbado.

Teatro Massimo, the famous Palermo opera house. I highly recommend the guided tour; they take you to a circular chamber known as the 'Echo Room', which has simply otherworldly acoustics. Stand at the center of the room and clap, and the sound that reaches your ears will sound like a waterfall. It's incredible. Oh yeah, and the opera house itself isn't bad.

The huge and famous Massimo Theatre, one of the most capacious and famous opera house in Italy, was built at the end of the 19th century by the architecs Gian Battista and Ernesto Basile. It is a building of neo-classical inspiration.

Many notable baroque buildings were brought down to create a wide place and actually it occupies a surface area of 7730 square metres