Macerata Opera Festival — opera in a 2,500-seat open-air arena in the Marche hills

The Sferisterio is a neoclassical open-air arena built in 1829 for a ball game. Now it hosts one of Italy’s most atmospheric opera festivals.

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When

July–August (3–4 weekends). Program at sferisterio.it.

The venue

The Sferisterio is 88m long, 32m wide, with a 16m-high wall as the backdrop. 2,500 seats. The acoustics are extraordinary for an open-air venue. The stage uses the enormous wall for projections and set design — visually stunning.

Tickets

€20–90. Book at sferisterio.it. Much less competitive than Verona or La Scala — good seats available 1–2 weeks ahead. Macerata is in the Marche, 3h from Rome by car/train. Stay in the town (€50–90/night) or in the surrounding countryside.

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