Blog

   DISCLAIMER

The information and material on this website is general in nature and is intended for your touristic use and information. We try our best to constantly update our contents. The Taormina Friends Club accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any information contained herein and recommends that users exercise their own skill and care with respect to its uses. You must not assume that this website and its contents are error-free, as events dates might be changed without notice, or that the contents will be suitable for the particular purpose that you had in mind when using them. This website contains references and links to other internet sites which contain information collated and presented by other parties, events websites government agencies, third-party organisations and individuals. Taormina Friends Club does not warrant or represent that linked sites are complete, current, reliable or free from error. Taormina Friends Club does not accept responsibility or liability for any loss, damage, cost or expense you might incur as a result of the use of or reliance upon materials in the linked sites.

PERMANENT MUSEUMS

Ancient Theatre

Opening hours: 9:00am – 1 hour before sunset

 

Taormina Castle

Opening hours: everyday 9.00am – 7.00pm
https://castellidisicilia.it/i-castelli/castelli-di-taormina/#page-content

 

 

 

JANUARY 2025

January  1 – New Year’s Concert by Taormina Plectrum Orchestra – Congress Hall @ 6.00pm

January  1 – Toast with the Mayor – Piazza IX Aprile @ 8.300pm

January 4 – From Morricone To Battiato – Ancient Theatre

January 4 – Event for children – The Chocolate Factory, treasure hunt and games – Congress Hall @ 4.00pm

January 4 – The Swan Lake, the ballet – Congress Hall @ 9.00pm

January 5 – First Sunday of the month > Free entrance to the to Ancient Theatre, Isolabella and Archaeological Naxos Park

January 9 – Antonella Ruggiero in “Una Voce una Fisarmonica” – Congress Hall @ 8.45pm

January 11 – La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi – Congress Hall @ 8.45pm

January 18 – Uccio De Santis Show – Congress Hall @ 8.45pm

January 25 – Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni – Congress Hall @ 8.45pm

January 31 – Emanuela Aureli – Congress Hall @ 8.45pm

 

February

February 2 – First Sunday of the month > Free entrance to the to Ancient Theatre, Isolabella and Archaeological Naxos Park

February 14 – Saint Valentine in Taormina

February 14 – Saint Valentine in Taormina

February 14 – Valentine Jazz Night 

February 15 – Saint Valentine in Taormina

February 16 – Saint Valentine in Taormina

February 22 – Uccio De Santis in “Non So Che Fare Prima” – Congress Hall

February 22 – March 4 – Carnival in Taormina

 

 

March 

March 1-4 – Carnival in Taormina

March 2 – First Sunday of the month > Free entrance to the to Ancient Theatre, Isolabella and Archaeological Naxos Park

March 8 – Taormina Sound Festival > La Musica è donna – Congress Hall (NOT CONFIRMED)

March 15 – Pagliacci – Congress Hall (NOT CONFIRMED)

March 22 – Manlio Dovì Show – Congress Hall (NOT CONFIRMED)

March 29 – The three tenors in concert – Congress Hall (NOT CONFIRMED)

 

April

April 20 – Cavalleria Rusticana (the Opera) – Ancient Theatre

April 2 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

April 4 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

April 6 – First Sunday of the month > FREE entrance to the to Ancient Theatre, Isolabella and Archaeological Naxos Park

April 11 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

April 11, 12, 13 – Festa di Primavera / Spring Festival – FREE EVENT

April 15 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

April 17 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

April 20 – Cavalleria Rusticana the opera – Ancient Theatre

April 22 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

April 24 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

April 25 – National Holiday – Liberation Day > FREE entrance to the to Ancient Theatre, Isolabella and Archaeological Naxos Park

April 25 – “Forza Venite Gente”, the musical – Ancient Theatre – FREE EVENT

April 30 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

 

May

May 1 – Festival of the Sea – Taormina Mazzeo – FREE EVENT

May 1 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

May 2 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

May 4 – First Sunday of the month > FREE entrance to the to Ancient Theatre, Isolabella and Archaeological Naxos Park

May 5 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

May 6 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

May 7 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

May 8 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

May 9 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

May 12 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

May 13 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

May 14 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

May 15 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

May 16 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

May 19 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

May 20 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

May 21 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

May 22 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

May 23 – Sicilian Folk Festival – Streets of  Taormina

May 23 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

May 26 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

 

June

June 1 – First Sunday of the month > FREE entrance to the to Ancient Theatre, Isolabella and Archaeological Naxos Park

June 2 – National Holiday – Republic Day > FREE entrance to the to Ancient Theatre, Isolabella and Archaeological Naxos Park

June 2 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

June 3 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

June 4 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

June 5 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

June 6 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

June 7 – International Music Festival – Duo Nicora / Baroffio – Teatro Nazarena

June 9 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

June 10-14 – TAORMINA FILMFEST, 71° ed.

June 10 – Taormina FilmFest – BALLERINA – Ancient Theatre

June 10 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

June 11 – Taormina FilmFest – TOGETHER – Ancient Theatre

June 11 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

June 12 – Taormina FilmFest – TAXI DRIVER – Ancient Theatre

June 12 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

June 13 – Taormina FilmFest – WARFARE – Ancient Theatre

June 13 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

June 14 – Taormina FilmFest – L’AMORE STA BENE SU TUTTO – Ancient Theatre

June 14 – International Music Festival – Duo Apellàniz / Palomares – Gardens of Teatro Nazarena

June 16 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

June 17 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

June 18-23 – TAOBUK, Taormina International Book Festival, 15° ed.

June 18 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

June 19 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

June 20 – Giovanni Allevi – Ancient Theatre

June 20 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

June 21 – Taobuk Gala – Ancient Theatre     SOLD OUT

June 21 – International Music Festival – Duo Volver – Teatro Nazarena

June 22 – Orcynus Orca – Ancient Theatre

June 23 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

June 24 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

June 25 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

June 26 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

June 27 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

June 27 – Belliniana, Divine Melodie Danzanti – Ancient Theatre

June 27 – Un Palco per tutti > Concert by Juvenile Symphonic Orchestra of Messina – Public Gardens – FREE EVENT

June 28 – Nations Award – Ancient Theatre – FREE EVENT

June 28 –  Un Palco per tutti > Karaoke – Public Gardens – FREE EVENT

June 28 – International Music Festival – Duo Schiavo / Marchegiani – Gardens of Teatro Nazarena

June 29 – Giolì and Assia – Ancient Theatre

June 30 – Musco in concerto – Ancient Theatre

June 30 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

 

July

July 1 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

July 2 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

July 2 –  Un Palco per tutti > Ballet by “Danza Taormina” – Public Gardens – FREE EVENT

July 3 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

July 4 –  Un Palco per tutti > Ballo per Passione – Public Gardens – FREE EVENT

July 4 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

July 4 – Dream Theater – 40th Anniversary – Ancient Theatre

July 5 – Giovanni Allevi – Ancient Theatre

July 6 – First Sunday of the month > FREE entrance to the to Ancient Theatre, Isolabella and Archaeological Naxos Park

July 6 –  Un Palco per tutti > Concert by the Orchestra Mandolinistica Gioviale of Taormina – Public Gardens – FREE EVENT

July 7 –  Un Palco per tutti > Opera Clarinets with DUO Namastè – Public Gardens – FREE EVENT

July 7 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

July 8 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

July 9 –  Un Palco per tutti > Concert by Canadian Youth Ensemble – Public Gardens – FREE EVENT

July 9 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

July 10 –  Un Palco per tutti > Fool Moon Christal Concert, a meditaticve concert by Elisa Messina – Public Gardens – FREE EVENT

July 10 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

July 11 – Diego Basso plays THE QUEEN – Ancient Theatre

July 11 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

July 12 – Alessandra Amoroso – Ancient Theatre

July 12 –  Un Palco per tutti > UNICEF – Public Gardens – FREE EVENT

July 13 –  Un Palco per tutti > Concert Canto Moderno by Laura Lo Re’s Students – Public Gardens – FREE EVENT

July 13 – Italian Opera Selection > Cavalleria Rusticana, an opera by P. Mascagni – Gardens of Nazarena Theatre

July 14 – Placido Domingo – Ancient Theatre – FESTIVAL TAORMINA ARTE

July 14 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

July 15 – PFM, Doppia Traccia – Ancient Theatre – FESTIVAL TAORMINA ARTE

July 15 –  Un Palco per tutti > Concert Canto Moderno by Ivan Lo Giudice’s Students – Public Gardens – FREE EVENT

July 16/19 – Taomoda

July 19 21 – Taormina Jazz Festival – Public Gardens

July 15 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

July 16 – Una Notte da Oscar, the most famous film soundtracks – Ancient Theatre – FESTIVAL TAORMINA ARTE

July 16 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

July 15 – PFM – Ancient Theatre – FESTIVAL TAORMINA ARTE

July 17 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

July 18 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

July 18 – Roberto Bolle and Friends – Ancient Theatre

July 21 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

July 22 – Peppe Barra – Ancient Theatre – FESTIVAL TAORMINA ARTE

July 22 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

July 23 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

July 24 –  Un Palco per tutti > Dance Studio by Valentina Cacciola – Public Gardens – FREE EVENT

July 24 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

July 25 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

July 25 – Kraftwerk – Ancient Theatre

July 26 – Simple Minds – Ancient Theatre

July 26 –  Un Palco per tutti > Mini Corrida – Public Gardens – FREE EVENT

July 27 – Simple Minds – Ancient Theatre

July 28 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

July 29 – Aida – Ancient Theatre

July 29 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

July 30 –  Un Palco per tutti > Canta con Noi – Il Minotauro Award – Public Gardens – FREE EVENT

July 30 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

July 30 – CCCP – Ancient Theatre

July 31 – Hans Zimmer Tribute – Ancient Theatre

July 31 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

 

August

August 1 – Symphony > Music by Roby Facchinetti – Ancient Theatre

August 1 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

August 2 – Ennio Morricone Tribute – Ancient Theatre

August 2 –  Un Palco per tutti > Concert Ombre Lunghe – Public Gardens – FREE EVENT

August 3 – First Sunday of the month > FREE entrance to the to Ancient Theatre, Isolabella and Archaeological Naxos Park

August 3 – Jimmy Sax and Symphonic Dance Orchestra – Ancient Theatre

August 4 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

August 4 – Loredana Bertè – Ancient Theatre

August 5 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

August 6 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

August 6 – Francesco Gabbani – Ancient Theatre

August 7 –  Un Palco per tutti > Ballet by Crystaldance Dance School – Public Gardens – FREE EVENT

August 7  – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

August 8 – Gipsy Kings by Andrè Reyes – Ancient Theatre

August 8 –  Un Palco per tutti > BTaormina Song, by Massimo Priolo – Public Gardens – FREE EVENT

August 8 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

August 10 – Riccardo Cocciante – Ancient Theatre

August 11 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

August 12 – Astor, un secolo di tango – Ancient Theatre – FESTIVAL TAORMINA ARTE

August 12 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

August 13 – Circus Opera Show – Ancient Theatre FESTIVAL TAORMINA ARTE

August 13 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

August 14 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

August 15 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

August 16 – Homage to Ennio Morricone – Ancient Theatre

August 8 – Gipsy Kings by Andrè Reyes – Ancient Theatre

August 16 –  Un Palco per tutti > Siculo by Unavantaluna – Public Gardens – FREE EVENT

August 17 – La Traviata – Ancient Theatre

August 17 –  Un Palco per tutti > “In un mare di Sogni”, a play by P. Saraceno – Public Gardens – FREE EVENT

August 18 – Carmina Burana – Ancient Theatre

August 18 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

August 19 – Massimo Ranieri – Ancient Theatre

August 19 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

August 20 – Bolero and Cavalleria Rusticana – Ancient Theatre

August 20 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

August 21 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

August 22 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

August 22 – Edoardo Bennato – Ancient Theatre

August 23 – Umberto Tozzi – Ancient Theatre

August 23 –  Un Palco per tutti > Concert “Come un Funanbolo” by Gio. Galante – Public Gardens – FREE EVENT

August 24 –  Un Palco per tutti > La Prossima volta al Teatro Antico di Taormina” by D, Napoli – Public Gardens – FREE EVENT

August 24 – Aida – Ancient Theatre

August 25 – Giulietta e Romeo – Ancient Theatre – FESTIVAL TAORMINA ARTE

August 25 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

August 26 – Tony Hadley and Band – Ancient Theatre – FESTIVAL TAORMINA ARTE

August 26 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

August 27 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

August 28 – Arisa – Ancient Theatre – FESTIVAL TAORMINA ARTE

August 28 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

August 29 – Enrico Brignano – Ancient Theatre

August 29 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

August 30 – Cavalleria Rusticana by P. Mascagni – Ancient Theatre

August 30 –  Un Palco per tutti > Annalisa Tribute Band – Public Gardens – FREE EVENT

August 31 – Tribute to Queen + Coldplay Candlelight – Ancient Theatre

 

September

September 1 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

September 2 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

September 2 – Antonello Venditti – Ancient Theatre

September 3 –  Un Palco per tutti > TaoYogaDay – Public Gardens – FREE EVENT

September 3 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

September 4 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

September 5 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

September 6 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

September 7 – First Sunday of the month > FREE entrance to the to Ancient Theatre, Isolabella and Archaeological Naxos Park

September 8 – The Nutcracker – Ancient Theatre

September 8 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

September 9 – The Nutcracker – Ancient Theatre

September 9 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

September 10 – Francesco De Gregori – Ancient Theatre

September 10 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

September 11 – Francesco De Gregori – Ancient Theatre

September 11 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

September 12 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

September 13 – Carmen – Ancient Theatre

September 14 –  Un Palco per tutti > Concert by the Orchestra Mandolinistica Gioviale of Taormina – Public Gardens – FREE EVENT

September 15 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

September 16 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

September 17 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

September 18 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

September 19 – West Side Story – Ancient Theatre

September 20 – West Side Story – Ancient Theatre

September 19 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

September 21 –  Un Palco per tutti > “La Musica supera i Confini” – Public Gardens – FREE EVENT

September 22 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

September 23 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

September 24 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

September 25 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

September 26 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

September 29 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

September 30 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

 

 

October

October 1 – Leonard Bernstein Gala – Ancient Theatre

October 1 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

October 2 – Italian Opera Gala – Ancient Theatre

October 1 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

October 3 – Bolero! Gala Internazionale di Danza – Ancient Theatre

October 1 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

October 4 – Bellini Opera Gala – Ancient Theatre

October 5 – First Sunday of the month > FREE entrance to the to Ancient Theatre, Isolabella and Archaeological Naxos Park

October 5 – “Oh Sole Mio” Gala – Ancient Theatre

October 6 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

October 7 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

October 8 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

October 9 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

October 10 – Italian Opera Taormina – Teatro Nazarena

 

 

November

November 2 – First Sunday of the month > FREE entrance to the to Ancient Theatre, Isolabella and Archaeological Naxos Park

November 4 – National Holiday – Armed Forces Day > FREE entrance to the to Ancient Theatre, Isolabella and Archaeological Naxos Park

 

December

December 7 – First Sunday of the month > FREE entrance to the to Ancient Theatre, Isolabella and Archaeological Naxos Park

 

 

WHERE TO STAY

Hotel La Pensione SvizzeraHotel Villa SchulerHotel Villa Ducale – Hotel Villa Carlotta

 

Leonard Bernstein Gala

STARS OF BROADWAY – ORCHESTRA OF NEW YORK

Taormina Ancient Theatre, Wednesday 1st October 2025 @ 9:00pm

 

The extraordinary music of the author of West Side Story

Conductor: Wynton Marsalis

 

TICKETS on vivaticket
Gallery, sector A-E (very lateral): € 45,00 / Reduced (under 25 and over 70): € 35,00
Gallery, sector B-D (lateral): € 55,00 / Reduced (under 25 and over 70): € 45,00
Gallery, sector C (central): € 75,00/ Reduced (under 25 and over 70): € 65,00
Cavea, central, numbered seats: € 35,00 / Reduced (under 25 and over 70): € 25,00
Cavea, lateral, non-numbered seats: € 60,00 / Reduced (under 25 and over 70): € 22,00

 

MORE INFO

Event organised by Associazione Tauros

 

 

WHERE TO STAY

Hotel La Pensione SvizzeraHotel Villa SchulerHotel Villa Ducale – Hotel Villa Carlotta

 

West Side story

Taormina Ancient Theatre, Saturday 20th September 2025 @ 9:00pm

 

A musical. A timeless masterpiece, a story of love and rivalry with Bernstein’s unforgettable music.

TICKETS on ticketone (commissions not included)
Platea/Parterre central (gold): € 75,00
Gallery: € 75,00
Cavea, central: € 50,00
Cavea, lateral (non-numbered seats): € 40,00

 

MORE INFO

Associazione Culturale Development  >> associazionedevelopment@gmail.com

 

WHERE TO STAY

Hotel La Pensione SvizzeraHotel Villa SchulerHotel Villa Ducale – Hotel Villa Carlotta

West Side story

Taormina Ancient Theatre, Friday 19th September 2025 @ 9:00pm

 

A musical. A timeless masterpiece, a story of love and rivalry with Bernstein’s unforgettable music.

TICKETS on ticketone (commissions not included)
Platea/Parterre central (gold): € 75,00
Gallery: € 75,00
Cavea, central: € 50,00
Cavea, lateral (non-numbered seats): € 40,00

 

MORE INFO

Associazione Culturale Development  >> associazionedevelopment@gmail.com

 

WHERE TO STAY

Hotel La Pensione SvizzeraHotel Villa SchulerHotel Villa Ducale – Hotel Villa Carlotta

 

S I C I L I A   C L A S S I C A   F E S T I V A L

 

Carmen

an Opera by Georges Bizet

Ancient Theatre, September 13 2025 @ 9:300pm

 

Carmen is an opera in four acts by the French composer Georges Bizet.
The libretto was written by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, based on the novella of the same title by Prosper Mérimée.
The opera was first performed by the Opéra-Comique in Paris on 3 March 1875, where its breaking of conventions shocked and scandalised its first audiences. Bizet died suddenly after the 33rd performance, unaware that the work would achieve international acclaim within the following ten years. Carmen has since become one of the most popular and frequently performed operas in the classical canon.

 

 

TICKETS on vivaticket (commissions not included)
Platea: –
Gallery, lateral: € 70,00/80,00
Gallery, central: € 90,00
Cavea, lateral: € 60,00
Cavea, central: € 70,00
Cavea, non-numbered seats: € 35,00

 

MORE INFO

Associazione Sicilia Classica Festival – www.facebook.com/siciliaclassicafestival

 

Synopsis

Place: Seville, Spain, and surrounding hills
Time: Around 1820

 

ACT  1

A group of soldiers relax in the square, waiting for the changing of the guard and commenting on the passers-by (“Sur la place, chacun passe”). Micaëla appears, seeking José. Moralès tells her that “José is not yet on duty” and invites her to wait with them. She declines, saying she will return later. José arrives with the new guard, which is greeted and imitated by a crowd of urchins (“Avec la garde montante”).

As the factory bell rings, the cigarette girls emerge and exchange banter with young men in the crowd (“La cloche a sonné”). Carmen enters and sings her provocative habanera on the untameable nature of love (“L’amour est un oiseau rebelle”). The men plead with her to choose a lover, and after some teasing she throws a flower to Don José, who thus far has been ignoring her but is now annoyed by her insolence.

As the women go back to the factory, Micaëla returns and gives José a letter and a kiss from his mother (“Parle-moi de ma mère!”). He reads that his mother wants him to return home and marry Micaëla, who retreats in shy embarrassment on learning this. Just as José declares that he is ready to heed his mother’s wishes, the women stream from the factory in great agitation. Zuniga, the officer of the guard, learns that Carmen has attacked a woman with a knife. When challenged, Carmen answers with mocking defiance (“Tra la la … Coupe-moi, brûle-moi”); Zuniga orders José to tie her hands while he prepares the prison warrant. Left alone with José, Carmen beguiles him with a seguidilla, in which she sings of a night of dancing and passion with her lover—whoever that may be—in Lillas Pastia’s tavern. Confused yet mesmerised, José agrees to free her hands; as she is led away she pushes her escort to the ground and runs off laughing. José is arrested for dereliction of duty.

 

ACT 2
Lillas Pastia’s Inn

Two months have passed. Carmen and her friends Frasquita and Mercédès are entertaining Zuniga and other officers (“Les tringles des sistres tintaient”) in Pastia’s inn. Carmen is delighted to learn of José’s release from two months’ detention. Outside, a chorus and procession announces the arrival of the toreador Escamillo (“Vivat, vivat le Toréro”). Invited inside, he introduces himself with the “Toreador Song” (“Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre”) and sets his sights on Carmen, who brushes him aside. Lillas Pastia hustles the crowds and the soldiers away.

When only Carmen, Frasquita and Mercédès remain, smugglers Dancaïre and Remendado arrive and reveal their plans to dispose of some recently acquired contraband (“Nous avons en tête une affaire”). Frasquita and Mercédès are keen to help them, but Carmen refuses, since she wishes to wait for José. After the smugglers leave, José arrives. Carmen treats him to a private exotic dance (“Je vais danser en votre honneur … La la la”), but her song is joined by a distant bugle call from the barracks. When José says he must return to duty, she mocks him, and he answers by showing her the flower that she threw to him in the square (“La fleur que tu m’avais jetée”). Unconvinced, Carmen demands he show his love by leaving with her. José refuses to desert, but as he prepares to depart, Zuniga enters looking for Carmen. He and José fight. Carmen summons her gypsy comrades, who restrain Zuniga. Having attacked a superior officer, José now has no choice but to join Carmen and the smugglers (“Suis-nous à travers la campagne”).

 

ACT 3

A wild spot in the mountains

Carmen and José enter with the smugglers and their booty (“Écoute, écoute, compagnon”); Carmen has now become bored with José and tells him scornfully that he should go back to his mother. Frasquita and Mercédès amuse themselves by reading their fortunes from the cards; Carmen joins them and finds that the cards are foretelling her death, and José’s. The smugglers depart to transport their goods while the women distract the local customs officers. José is left behind on guard duty.

Micaëla enters with a guide, seeking José and determined to rescue him from Carmen (“Je dis que rien ne m’épouvante”). On hearing a gunshot she hides in fear; it is José, who has fired at an intruder who proves to be Escamillo. José’s pleasure at meeting the bullfighter turns to anger when Escamillo declares his infatuation with Carmen. The pair fight (“Je suis Escamillo, toréro de Grenade”), but are interrupted by the returning smugglers and girls (“Holà, holà José”). As Escamillo leaves he invites everyone to his next bullfight in Seville. Micaëla is discovered; at first, José will not leave with her despite Carmen’s mockery, but he agrees to go when told that his mother is dying. He departs, vowing he will return. Escamillo is heard in the distance, singing the toreador’s song.

 

ACT 4

A square in Seville. At the back, the walls of an ancient amphitheatre

Zuniga, Frasquita and Mercédès are among the crowd awaiting the arrival of the bullfighters (“Les voici! Voici la quadrille!”). Escamillo enters with Carmen, and they express their mutual love (“Si tu m’aimes, Carmen”). As Escamillo goes into the arena, Frasquita and Mercédès warn Carmen that José is nearby, but Carmen is unafraid and willing to speak to him. Alone, she is confronted by the desperate José (“C’est toi!”, “C’est moi!”). While he pleads vainly for her to return to him, cheers are heard from the arena. As José makes his last entreaty, Carmen contemptuously throws down the ring he gave her and attempts to enter the arena. He then stabs her, and as Escamillo is acclaimed by the crowds, Carmen dies. José kneels and sings “Ah! Carmen! ma Carmen adorée!”; as the crowd exits the arena, José confesses to killing Carmen.

 

 

WHERE TO STAY

Hotel La Pensione SvizzeraHotel Villa SchulerHotel Villa Ducale – Hotel Villa Carlotta

Francesco De Gregori

Rimmel 2025

Ancient Theatre, Thursday 11th September 2025 @ 9:30pm

 

Francesco De Gregori OMRI (born 4 April 1951) is an Italian singer-songwriter. In Italy, he is popularly known as “Il Principe dei cantautori” (“The Prince of the singer-songwriters”), a nickname referring to the elegance of his lyrics. Although often referred as singer-songwriter and poet, he prefers to be identified simply as “artist”

In 2017 he received the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Italian: Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana), the most senior Italian order of merit.

 

TICKETS on ticketone
Platea: € 98,00
Gallery: € 98,00
Cavea, central, numbered seats: € 85,00
Cavea, lateral, non-numbered seats: € 59,00

 

MORE INFO

www.instagram.com/degregoriofficialwww.facebook.com/fdegregori

 

 

 

WHERE TO STAY

Hotel La Pensione SvizzeraHotel Villa SchulerHotel Villa Ducale – Hotel Villa Carlotta

 

 

Francesco De Gregori

Rimmel 2025

Ancient Theatre, Wednesday 10th September 2025 @ 9:30pm

 

Francesco De Gregori OMRI (born 4 April 1951) is an Italian singer-songwriter. In Italy, he is popularly known as “Il Principe dei cantautori” (“The Prince of the singer-songwriters”), a nickname referring to the elegance of his lyrics. Although often referred as singer-songwriter and poet, he prefers to be identified simply as “artist”

In 2017 he received the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Italian: Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana), the most senior Italian order of merit.

 

TICKETS on ticketone
Platea: € 98,00
Gallery: € 98,00
Cavea, central, numbered seats: € 85,00
Cavea, lateral, non-numbered seats: € 59,00

 

MORE INFO

www.instagram.com/degregoriofficialwww.facebook.com/fdegregori

 

 

 

WHERE TO STAY

Hotel La Pensione SvizzeraHotel Villa SchulerHotel Villa Ducale – Hotel Villa Carlotta

 

 

Antonello Venditti

Notte prima degli esami TOUR

40th anniversary, 1984-2024

Ancient Theatre, Tuesday 2nd September 2025 @

 

Antonio “Antonello” Venditti (born 1949) is an Italian singer-songwriter and pianist who became popular in the 1970s for the social themes addressed in his songs.

 

TICKETS on ticketone
Platea: € 98,00
Gallery: € 98,00
Cavea, numbered seats: 85,00
Cavea, non-numbered seats: € 59,00

 

MORE INFO

www.facebook.com/AntonelloVendittiUfficiale

 

WHERE TO STAY

Hotel La Pensione SvizzeraHotel Villa SchulerHotel Villa Ducale – Hotel Villa Carlotta

 

Tribute To Queen

and

Coldplay Candlelight

Taormina Ancient Theatre, Sunday 31st August 2025 @ 9:30pm

 

 

TICKETS on ticketone (commissions not included)
Platea/Parterre central (gold): € 56,50
Platea/Parterre lateral: € 51,50
Gallery, central (gold): € 41,50
Gallery, lateral: € 36,50
Cavea, central: € 27,00
Cavea, lateral (non-numbered seats): € 22,00

 

 

WHERE TO STAY

Hotel La Pensione SvizzeraHotel Villa SchulerHotel Villa Ducale – Hotel Villa Carlotta

F E S T I V A L   T A O R M I N A   A R T E

Cavalleria Rusticana

Rustican Chivalry

an Opera by Pietro Mascagni

Taormina Ancient Theatre, Saturday 30th August 2025 @ 9:15pm

 

TICKETS on ticketone
Platea: € 85,00
Gallery: € 75,00
Cavea, central, numbered seats: € 55,00
Cavea, lateral, non-numbered seats: € 35,00

 

MORE INFO

Fondazione Taormina Arte – www.facebook.com/fondazionetaorminartesicilia – info@taorminaarte.org – Mob. +39 391 746 2146

Taormina Opera Stars – www.taorminaoperastars.com

 

 

WHERE TO STAY

Hotel La Pensione SvizzeraHotel Villa SchulerHotel Villa Ducale – Hotel Villa Carlotta