Ennio Morricone Concert

Taormina Congress Hall, Saturday December 14th 2024 @ 8.45

 

A tribute to the music of the immense Maestro Ennio Morricone.

Director: Alessandra Pipitone
Orchestra: Catania Philarmonic
Chorus: Taormina Youth Chorus – Maestro Ivan Lo Giudice
Soprano: Silvia Bivona

 

TICKETS on Vivaticket

Platea Platinum: € 60,00
Platea Gold: € 50,00
Platea Silver: 45,00
Lower Platea: € 37,50
Upper Platea: € 27,50

 

 

WHERE TO STAY

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

 

C H R I S T M A S   I N   T A O R M I N A  2 0 2 4

 

Exhibition by Maestro Tino Giammona

Church of Sant’Agostino, from December 7, 2024 to January 8, 2025

Free Entrance

 

The magic of Christmas in the unique works of Maestro Tino Giammona.

Ceramic sculptures, precious artifacts and creations that combine tradition and innovation tell the story of Sicilian beauty and craftsmanship, giving visitors an experience of pure wonder.

Church of Sant’Agostino, Taormina: an unmissable event to immerse yourself in the tradition and art of our territory during the Christmas period.

 

 

MORE INFO

Town of Taormina – Tel 0039 0942 6101 – info@eventitaormina,it – filodiretto@comune.taormina.me.it

 

WHERE TO STAY

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

C H R I S T M A S   I N   T A O R M I N A  2 0 2 4

 

The Colors of Wonder: The Grand Tour of Taormina

Palazzo Corvaja, from December 7, 2024 to January 8, 2025

Free Entrance

 

An artistic journey through the charm and beauty of Taormina, curated by Vincenzo D’Arro.
A unique event that celebrates art and history, enhanced by the collaboration with the Academy of Fine Arts of Catania

 

 

WHERE TO STAY

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

C H R I S T M A S   I N   T A O R M I N A  2 0 2 4

Taormina in Miniature

Former Carmine Church, from 7 December 2024 to 8 January 2025

Free Entrance

 

The historic Church of Carmine will host the exhibition “Taormina in Miniature”, an extraordinary work by the master Gino Castorina. This exhibition offers a detailed reproduction of Piazza IX Aprile (piazza Belvedere), the beating heart of the city, created with meticulous precision and passion. The work, the result of over ten years of work, includes more than 200 figures inspired by local characters, recreating the authentic atmosphere of the square. An unmissable opportunity to admire Taormina from a unique perspective and appreciate the art of miniature.

 

 

 

MORE INFO

https://www.facebook.com/gino.castorina.taormina.in.miniatura

 

 

 

WHERE TO STAY

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

 

C H R I S T M A S   I N   T A O R M I N A   2 0 2 4

 

Homage to

Rosa Balstreri – The Voice of Sicily

Taormina Congress Hall @ 8.30pm

Free Entrance

 

Voice; Barbara Arcadi
Guitar: Adolfo Crisafulli
Piano and Accordeon: Fabio Catalano
Sax and drums: Alfredo Restuccia
Drums: Matteo Venuto
Dancer: Antonella Gargano

 

Rosa Balistreri (21 March 1927 – 20 September 1990) was an Italian singer and musician. Her hoarse voice charged with melancholy and strong personality made her a Sicilian icon of the twentieth century.

Biography
Rosa Balistreri was born in Licata, a town in the province of Agrigento, in western declined Sicily, in the late 1920s. Her father was an alcoholic carpenter and Rosa was forced to do menial jobs, instead of going to school. In 1951, Rosa left her village at the age of 24 for Tuscany, settling in Florence, where she worked as a domestic servant. She started her artistic career at 39 performing in Turin, Milan and Tuscany.
In 1971, now renowned, Rosa Balistreri returned after twenty years in Sicily, where she would sing until her death. Often composed in dramatic style, her songs depict Sicily, as her friend Leonardo Sciascia describes, as “violent, tender, bitter, sweet, full of ambiguities”. The “Soprano of the South”, as Ignazio Buttitta nicknamed her, related the misfortunes but also the beauties and mysteries of the three-pointed island.

 

MORE INFO

Barbara Arcadi www.facebook.com/barbara.arcadi.5

 

 

WHERE TO STAY

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

 

C H R I S T M A S   I N   T A O R M I N A   2 0 2 4

Un Sogno a Istanbul

A theater performance

Taormina Congress Hall @8.30pm

 

Based on a best seller story by Paolo Rumiz, Alberto Bassetti creates a theatrical text masterfully interpreted by Maddalena Crippa, Maximilian Nisi and Adriano Giraldi, to the music of Mario Incudine.

A love story that winds through Europe, from Sarajevo to Istanbul, leading the viewer to question their own certainties and to meditate on the real essence of Europe.

 

MORE INFO

https://www.facebook.com/comuneditaormina.eventiataormina/videos/1701308120720619

 

WHERE TO STAY

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

C H R I S T M A S  2 0 2 4

 

Lidia Schillaci in

ACOUSTIC CHRISTMAS

Cathedral of Taormina, Saturday 25th November 2024 @5.00pm

Free Entrance

 

Tonight the Sicilian singer perform  Christmas songs in an acoustic key, creating an intimate atmosphere.

Singer: Lidia Schillaci
Acoustic guitar: Simona Malandrino

 

 

WHERE TO STAY

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

Christmas in Taormina

from November 2024 to January 2025

 

NOVEMBER

November 21-24 – Taormina Food Expo – Congress Hall

November 25 – Lidia Schillaci in “Acoustic Christmas” – Cathedral @5.00pm

 

DECEMBER

December  1 – First Sunday of the month > Free Entrance to the Taormina Ancient Theatre, Isolabella and Naxos Archaelogical Park

December 4 – Un Sogno a Istambul – Congress Hall @ 8.30pm

December 6 – La Voce della Sicilia, tributo a Rosa Balisteri – Congress Hall @ 8.30pm

December 7 – Lighting of the Christmas Tree – Piazza IX Aprile @ 7.30pm

December 7, 2024 / January 8, 2025 – Exhib. “Taormina in Miniatura” – Del Carmine Church

December 7 – January 8 – Exhibition “I Colori dello Stupore” – Palazzo Corvaja

December 7 – January 8 – Exhibition by Maestro Tino Giammona – Previous Church of Sant’Agostino

December 7 – January 8 – Christmas Market and Christmas Train along the main street – Public Garden “Florence Trevelyan”

December 7 – January 8 – The Village of Christmas Dreams – Piazza IX Aprile

December 7 – January 8 – The Path of the Cribs  – Mastrissa, Taormina

December 8 – January 8 – Ice skating rink – Trappitello, Taormina

December 7 – Sicilia in dolce – Sicilian sweet wine Review – Congress Hall

December 8 – Lighting of the Christmas Tree – TRappitello (Taormina) @ 7.30pm

December 9 – Lighting of the Christmas Tree – Mazzeo (Taormina sea coast) @ 7.00pm

December 14 – Ennio Morricone in Concert – Catania Philarmonic Orchestra and Taormina Youth Chorus – Congress Hall @ 8.15pm

December 15 – Santa Claus and his sleigh – Piazza IX Aprile and Corso Umberto @ 4.00pm

December 15 – Christmas Concert – Church of Saro Cuore di Gesù in Trappitello (Taormina) @ 7.30pm

December 19 – Christmas Concert by the Taormina Symphonic Youth Orchestra – Congress Hall @6.00pm

December 20 – Event for children – The magic world of Harry Potter – Congress Hall @ 5.00pm

December 20 – Candlelight Concert – Piazza Duomo @ 8.45pm

December 21 – Event for children – Santa Claus Art Laboratory – Palazzo Duchi di Santo Stefano @ 5.30pm

December 21 – Christmas at Opera – Cathedral of Taormina @ 7.00pm

December 22 – Beauty and The Beast – A musical for kids – Congress Hall @ 4.00pm

December 22 – Christamas Parade – Corso Umberto (the main street) @ 6.00pm

December 22 – The Nutcracker, the ballet – Congress Hall @ 9.00pm POSTPONED

December 24 – Lighting of the Chrismas Bonfires – Piazza Santa Caterina, Piazza Duomo and Mazzeo @ 10.00pm

December 26/January 6 – Trappitello Living Crib – Trappitello Taormina

December 26 – Concert by the Taormina Youth Chorus – Congress Hall @ 7.00pm

December 27 – Candlelight Concert – Palazzo Corvaja  @ 9.00pm

December 28 – Fausto Leali in concert – Congress Hall @ 8.45pm

December 28 – Da Paganini a Piazzolla – Casa del Cinema

December 29- Jazz in Travel – Casa del Cinema

December 30 – An Italian Tale – Casa Del Cinema

December 30 – Disney Music by the Catania Philarmonic Orchestra – Cathedral @ 9.00pm

December 31 – New Year Countdown – Piazza IX Aprile (Belvedere) from 10.30pm onwards

 

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 POSTPONED

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

 

 

WHERE TO STAY

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

Photo Exhibition

Scatti al Futuro

Casa del Cinema, Corso Umberto n. 61

Opening Hours: from Monday to Friday 9.30am – 1.30pm

Free Entrance

 

 

People, places and events that have made Taormina an icon of culture and art.

Artistc Direction: Gianna Fratta

 

 

 

MORE INFO

Fondazione Taormina Arte Sicilia – festivaltaorminarte.it, info@taormina-arte.com, Infoline (mobile): 0039 391 7462 146

 

 

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

La Traviata

an opera by Giacomo Puccini

Ancient Theatre, Sunday 15th September 2024 @ 9.00pm

 

 

TICKETS on Vivaticket

Gallery (section A): € 78,54
Gallery (section B): € 89.76
Gallery (section C): € 100,98
Gallery (section D): € 89,76
Gallery (section E): € 78,54
Cavea (Upper Circle – Section B): € 67,32
Cavea (Upper Circle – Section C): € 78,54
Cavea (Upper Circle – Section D): € 67,32
Cavea (Upper Circle, non-numbered seats): € 39,27

 

SYNOPSIS

Place: Paris and its vicinity.
Time: Beginning of the 19th century

Act 1

The salon in Violetta’s house

S C E N E  1: Party (attrib. Carl d’Unker)

Violetta Valéry, a famed courtesan, throws a lavish party at her Paris salon to celebrate her recovery from an illness. Gastone, a viscount, has brought with him a friend, Alfredo Germont, a young bourgeois from a provincial family who has long adored Violetta from afar. While walking to the salon, Gastone tells Violetta that Alfredo loves her, and that while she was ill, he came to her house every day. Alfredo joins them, admitting the truth of Gastone’s remarks.

Baron Douphol, Violetta’s current lover, waits nearby to escort her to the salon; once there, the Baron is asked to give a toast, but refuses, and the crowd turns to Alfredo, who agrees to sing a brindisi – a drinking song (Alfredo, Violetta, chorus: Libiamo ne’ lieti calici – “Let’s drink from the joyful cups”).

From the next room, the sound of the orchestra is heard and the guests move there to dance. After a series of severe coughs and almost fainting, Violetta begins to feel dizzy and asks her guests to go ahead and to leave her to rest until she recovers. While the guests dance in the next room, Violetta looks at her pale face in her mirror. Alfredo enters and expresses his concern for her fragile health, later declaring his love for her (Alfredo, Violetta: Un dì, felice, eterea – “One day, happy and ethereal”). At first, she rejects him because his love means nothing to her, but there is something about Alfredo that touches her heart. He is about to leave when she gives him a flower, telling him to return it when it has wilted, which will be the very next day.

After the guests leave, Violetta wonders if Alfredo could actually be the one in her life (Violetta: È strano! … Ah, fors’ è lui – “Ah, perhaps he is the one”). But she concludes that she needs freedom to live her life (Violetta, Alfredo: Sempre libera – “Always free”). From off stage, Alfredo’s voice is heard singing about love as he walks down the street.

 

Act 2

S C E N E  1: Violetta’s country house outside Paris

Three months later, Alfredo and Violetta are living together in a peaceful country house outside Paris. Violetta has fallen in love with Alfredo and she has completely abandoned her former life. Alfredo sings of their happy life together (Alfredo: De’ miei bollenti spiriti / Il giovanile ardore – “The youthful ardor of my ebullient spirits”). Annina, the maid, arrives from Paris, and, when questioned by Alfredo, tells him that she went there to sell the horses, carriages and everything owned by Violetta to support their country lifestyle.

Alfredo is shocked to learn this and leaves for Paris immediately to settle matters himself. Violetta returns home and receives an invitation from her friend, Flora, to a party in Paris that evening. Alfredo’s father, Giorgio Germont, is announced and demands that she break off her relationship with his son for the sake of his family, since he reveals that Violetta’s relationship with Alfredo has threatened his daughter’s engagement (Giorgio: Pura siccome un angelo, Iddio mi diè una figlia – “Pure as an angel, God gave me a daughter”) because of Violetta’s reputation. Meanwhile, he reluctantly becomes impressed by Violetta’s nobility, something which he did not expect from a courtesan. She responds that she cannot end the relationship because she loves him so much, but Giorgio pleads with her for the sake of his family. With growing remorse, she finally agrees (Violetta, Giorgio: Dite alla giovine, sì bella e pura, – “Tell the young girl, so beautiful and pure,”) and says goodbye to Giorgio. In a gesture of gratitude for her kindness and sacrifice, Giorgio kisses her forehead before leaving her weeping alone.

Violetta gives a note to Annina to send to Flora accepting the party invitation and, as she is writing a farewell letter to Alfredo, he enters. She can barely control her sadness and tears; she tells him repeatedly of her unconditional love (Violetta: Amami, Alfredo, amami quant’io t’amo – “Love me, Alfredo, love me as I love you”). Before rushing out and setting off for Paris, she hands the farewell letter to her servant to give to Alfredo.

Soon, the servant brings the letter to Alfredo and, as soon as he has read it, Giorgio returns and attempts to comfort his son, reminding him of his family in Provence (Giorgio: Di Provenza il mar, il suol chi dal cor ti cancellò? – “Who erased the sea, the land of Provence from your heart?”). Alfredo suspects that the Baron is behind his separation with Violetta, and the party invitation, which he finds on the desk, strengthens his suspicions. He decides to confront Violetta at the party. Giorgio tries to stop Alfredo, but he rushes out.

 

Scene 2: Party at Flora’s house

Act 2, scene 2 from Fife Opera’s 2004 production
At the party, the Marquis tells Flora that Violetta and Alfredo have separated, much to the amazement of everyone who had previously seen the happy couple. She calls for the entertainers to perform for the guests (Chorus: Noi siamo zingarelle venute da lontano – “We are gypsy girls who have come from afar”; Di Madride noi siam mattadori – “We are matadors from Madrid”). Gastone and his friends join the matadors and sing (Gastone, chorus, dancers: È Piquillo un bel gagliardo Biscaglino mattador – “Piquillo is a bold and handsome matador from Biscay”).

Violetta arrives with Baron Douphol. They see Alfredo at the gambling table. When he sees them, Alfredo loudly proclaims that he will take Violetta home with him. Feeling annoyed, the Baron goes to the gambling table and joins him in a game. As they bet, Alfredo wins some large sums until Flora announces that supper is ready. Alfredo leaves with handfuls of money.

As everyone is leaving the room, Violetta has asked Alfredo to see her. Fearing that the Baron’s anger will lead him to challenge Alfredo to a duel, she gently asks Alfredo to leave. Alfredo misunderstands her apprehension and demands that she admit that she loves the Baron. In grief, she makes that admission and, furiously, Alfredo calls the guests to witness what he has to say (Questa donna conoscete? – “You know this woman?”). He humiliates and denounces Violetta in front of the guests and then throws his winnings at her feet in payment for her services. She faints onto the floor. The guests reprimand Alfredo: Di donne ignobile insultatore, di qua allontanati, ne desti orror! (“Ignoble insulter of women, go away from here, you fill us with horror!”).

In search of his son, Giorgio enters the hall and, knowing the real significance of the scene, denounces his son’s behavior (Giorgio, Alfredo, Violetta, chorus: Di sprezzo degno sè stesso rende chi pur nell’ira la donna offende. – “A man, who even in anger, offends a woman renders himself deserving of contempt.”).

Flora and the ladies attempt to persuade Violetta to leave the dining room, but Violetta turns to Alfredo: Alfredo, Alfredo, di questo core non-puoi comprendere tutto l’amore… – “Alfredo, Alfredo, you can’t understand all the love in this heart…”.

 

Act 3

Violetta’s bedroom

Dr. Grenvil tells Annina that Violetta will not live long since her tuberculosis has worsened. Alone in her room, Violetta reads a letter from Alfredo’s father telling her that the Baron was only wounded in his duel with Alfredo. He has informed Alfredo of the sacrifice she has made for him and his sister; and he is sending his son to see her as quickly as possible to ask for her forgiveness. But Violetta senses it is too late (Violetta: Addio, del passato bei sogni ridenti – “Farewell, lovely, happy dreams of the past”).

Annina rushes in the room to tell Violetta of Alfredo’s arrival. The lovers are reunited and Alfredo suggests that they leave Paris (Alfredo, Violetta: Parigi, o cara, noi lasceremo – “We will leave Paris, O beloved”).

But it is too late: she knows her time is up (Alfredo, Violetta: Gran Dio!…morir sì giovane – “Great God!…to die so young”). Alfredo’s father enters with the doctor, regretting what he has done. After singing a duet with Alfredo, Violetta suddenly revives, exclaiming that the pain and discomfort have left her. A moment later, she dies in Alfredo’s arms.

 

 

MORE INFO

SICILIA CLASSICA FESTIVAL: www.facebook.com/siciliaclassicafestival – siciliaclassicafestival@gmail.com – Mob. +39 339 529 9932

 

 

WHERE TO STAY

Hotel La Pensione Svizzera – Hotel Villa Schuler – Hotel Villa Ducale – Hotel Villa Carlotta