Opera Season of the Teatro Vittorio Emanuele in Messina
Opera performances in the Grand Hall of Messina's premier theatre
About Vittorio Emanuele Opera Season
Opera in the heart of Messina
The Teatro Vittorio Emanuele Opera Season is one of the most anticipated events in the cultural calendar of Messina and the entire north-eastern Sicily region. Hosted in the prestigious Grand Hall of the city's premier theatre, located on Via Garibaldi in the historic centre, the opera season is a key part of the annual programme of the Ente Autonomo Regionale Teatro di Messina, showcasing the greatest titles from the Italian and European operatic repertoire.
A deep-rooted operatic tradition
For generations, the Teatro Vittorio Emanuele has been the primary home for opera in the city on the Strait. The season's productions are born from the work of the Teatro Vittorio Emanuele Orchestra and the "F. Cilea" Opera Choir, often joined by young performers and ensembles from the "A. Corelli" Conservatory of Messina, creating a constant dialogue between high-level professional artistry and the training of the next generation of musicians and singers.
The programme
Each season features some of the most beloved works of melodrama, from Giacomo Puccini to Giuseppe Verdi, with productions that blend stage direction, set design, video art, and lighting design. Performances are held in the Grand Hall, with a mix of evening and matinée shows, often featuring the participation of the Children's Choir for specific productions.
A theatre for the whole city
The Opera Season caters to both lifelong opera enthusiasts and younger audiences: the theatre's pricing policy, which includes dedicated discounts, aims to introduce opera to spectators under 30. The season is part of the broader Teatro Vittorio Emanuele programme, which includes dozens of plays, concerts, dance performances, and musicals each year, confirming the theatre's role as the beating heart of culture in the province of Messina.
Vittorio Emanuele Opera Season — edition 2026
The 2025/2026 opera season
The opera programme at the Teatro Vittorio Emanuele in Messina presents two highly anticipated productions, both in the Grand Hall on Via Garibaldi.
Turandot - 13 and 15 February 2026
Giacomo Puccini's Turandot, with a libretto by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni, will be performed on Friday, 13 February 2026 at 21:00 and Sunday, 15 February 2026 at 17:30. Conductor: Carlo Palleschi; Director: Carlo Antonio De Lucia; Set Design: Daniele Piscopo; Video: Matthias Schnabel; Lighting: Giuseppe Calabrò. The cast includes Daniela Schillaci (Turandot), Zi-Zhao Guo (Calaf), Desirée Rancatore (Liù), Abramo Rosalen (Timur), with the Teatro Vittorio Emanuele Orchestra, the "F. Cilea" Opera Choir directed by Bruno Tirotta, and the "Biancosuono" Children's Choir.
Rigoletto - 19 and 21 April 2026
Giuseppe Verdi's Rigoletto, with a libretto by Francesco Maria Piave, will be performed on Sunday, 19 April 2026 at 17:30 and Tuesday, 21 April 2026 at 21:00. Conductor: Francesco Ommassini; Directors: Carlo Antonio De Lucia and Floriana Sicari; Sets and Costumes: Danilo Coppola. In a co-production with the "A. Corelli" Conservatory, the opera features the Conservatory Orchestra in the pit and a cast including Nico Franchini (Duke of Mantua), Luca Bruno (Rigoletto), Irene Celle (Gilda), Gianluca Breda (Sparafucile), and Irene Molinari (Maddalena), accompanied by the "F. Cilea" Opera Choir.
Programme Vittorio Emanuele Opera Season 2026
2025/2026 Opera Season Programme
- Turandot (G. Puccini) - Friday 13 February 2026 at 21:00 and Sunday 15 February 2026 at 17:30. Conductor: Carlo Palleschi, Director: Carlo Antonio De Lucia. Cast: Daniela Schillaci, Zi-Zhao Guo, Desirée Rancatore, Abramo Rosalen, Luca Bruno, Raffaele Feo, Orlando Polidoro, Vincenzo Crucitti.
- Rigoletto (G. Verdi) - Sunday 19 April 2026 at 17:30 and Tuesday 21 April 2026 at 21:00. Conductor: Francesco Ommassini, Directors: Carlo Antonio De Lucia and Floriana Sicari. Cast: Nico Franchini, Luca Bruno, Irene Celle, Gianluca Breda, Irene Molinari. Co-production with the "A. Corelli" Conservatory.
Highlights Vittorio Emanuele Opera Season 2026
- Puccini's Turandot featuring Daniela Schillaci and Desirée Rancatore
- Verdi's Rigoletto in co-production with the "A. Corelli" Conservatory
- Teatro Vittorio Emanuele Orchestra and "F. Cilea" Opera Choir
- Productions featuring elaborate sets, video art, and lighting in the Grand Hall
Prices Vittorio Emanuele Opera Season 2026
Practical information — Vittorio Emanuele Opera Season
Location
Teatro Vittorio Emanuele, Via Garibaldi, 98122 Messina (ME), Sicily. Opera performances are held in the Grand Hall.
Tickets and Subscriptions
Individual tickets and subscriptions are available at the theatre box office, online via Vivaticket (www.vivaticket.it), or by calling the 892234 call centre. The 2025/2026 season offers discounted tickets for younger patrons.
Box Office Hours
Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 18:40; closed on Mondays. On performance days, the box office also opens one hour before the event.
Contact
Switchboard +39 090 2408800 - Box Office +39 090 2408836 - [email protected]
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Where does it take place — Vittorio Emanuele Opera Season
Teatro Vittorio Emanuele
Via Garibaldi, 98122 Messina