OperaCamion

An opera theatre that reaches out to the city

OperaCamion is one of the most original and beloved projects of the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma: a real theatre mounted on a truck that travels from neighborhood to neighborhood, opening its stage in the squares, courtyards, and spaces of Rome's suburbs. The idea, simple and revolutionary, is to flip the traditional relationship between audience and theatre: it is no longer the spectator who goes to the hall, but the opera that comes to the street, for free, right outside your door. Born in 2016 with Figaro, the project has become a staple of the Roman spring over the years and a powerful tool for cultural participation.

The Barber of Seville in the 2026 edition

For the 2026 edition, from May 31st to June 17th, OperaCamion presents The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini, one of the most brilliant and amusing masterpieces in the history of opera buffa. The show, directed by Manu Lalli with musical direction by Alessandro Poleggi leading the Teatro dell'Opera Orchestra, is presented in an agile version designed for urban spaces, while retaining all the musical and theatrical richness of the original score. The sets are designed by Daniele Leone, choreography by Chiara Casalbuoni, while the musical adaptation is by Tommaso Chieco and Marco Giustini. The stage features young performers, many of whom come from the theatre's Young Artist Program.

A journey through the neighborhoods of Rome and Lazio

The stage-truck crosses the city and its metropolitan area with ten stops: from the Teatro dell'Opera warehouses in Quarticciolo to Massimina, from Cinquina/Bufalotta to Montagnola, from Villaggio Prenestino to Palmarola/Selva Candida, up to the Lido di Ostia and Casal de' Pazzi. The journey also goes beyond the borders of Rome, touching two municipalities of the metropolitan city and the Lazio province: Bracciano, in Piazza Mazzini, and Valmontone, at Largo Brodolini, where the final evening is celebrated on June 17th. Each stop involves local choirs and community groups, making the event a true community celebration.

An opera for everyone, truly

The heart of the project is accessibility: all shows start at 9:15 PM and admission is free until capacity is reached. No ticket is required, and the organizers' advice is as informal as it is poetic: bring a chair from home and sit in the square to listen to Rossini under the stars. The result is a diverse audience, often attending an opera for the first time: in previous editions, about 40% of spectators stated they were experiencing opera for the first time.

A project by Rome for Rome

OperaCamion is promoted by the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma with the support of Roma Capitale — Department of Culture and Department of Major Events, Sport, Tourism and Fashion — and the Lazio Region. It is much more than a series of shows: it is a project of civic theatre and cultural inclusion that restores the great tradition of Italian opera to the suburbs of the Capital, in a direct dialogue between the stage and the life of the neighborhoods.

• Municipality: Rome (Metropolitan City of Rome Capital), with stops also in Bracciano and Valmontone
• Region: Lazio
• 2026 Opera: The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini
• Admission: free until capacity is reached