Performances in Classical Antiquity
Carved directly into the rocky slopes of Monte Tauro during the 3rd century BC by the ancient Greeks and later expanded by the Romans, the Teatro Antico di Taormina is one of the most stunning performance stages in human history. Every summer, the Taormina Arte foundation presents a season of grand opera, symphonies, classical ballet, and contemporary concerts.
Event Program Highlights
- Staged Operas with Etna Backdrop: Full-scale productions of Bellini’s Norma, Verdi’s Aida, and Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, performed as the evening sun sets behind smoking Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea.
- International Symphony Orchestras: Guest appearances by renowned European philharmonic orchestras with natural, near-flawless acoustics that have survived millennia.
- Taormina Film Fest & Dramatic Theatre: Open-air screenings and classical Greek tragedies enacted under the Mediterranean stars.
Before evening concerts, stroll along Corso Umberto for fresh Cannoli Siciliani piped with sweetened sheep’s ricotta and Bronte pistachios, paired with local Etna Bianco DOC wine from Carricante grapes.
Visitor Planning & Arrival
Taormina is accessed via Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) with direct shuttle buses to Taormina. The historic city center is pedestrianized, with cable cars connecting the coastal beaches of Mazzarò to the mountain citadel.