Teatro Massimo is in Piazza Verdi at the corner of Via Maqueda and Via Cavour. It is one of the world's largest theatre. Its construction began in 1895 and was completed in 1897.
Are you a moviegoer and you have seen Godfather part III? Do you remember the last scene? It was filmed on the steps leading to the main entrance of the theatre.
These stairs leading up to the entrance are impressive. The interior of the theatre is beyond words. There are guided tours every Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 am to 3.30 pm at €3 per person. You buy your ticket at the reception-cum souvenir desk and wait. At some time you will see a (disorganised) group enter the auditorium and it is best to follow them. Our group consisted mainly of schoolchildren accompanied by lots of teachers. We did not wait for a guided tour in English as they did not know when that would be, and nobody could tell us. There were not many foreign tourists when we were there. When you understand some Italian, it is not difficult to follow the explanation as the guide spoke slowly and clearly.
It is a very short visit, but worth it. All in all it took about fifteen minutes.
First we came to the auditorium. It gives a warm impression. Its main colours are red in different shades. There are five tiers of boxes each with two rows of chairs. The Royal Box is right opposite the stage and has seven rows of chairs. These back rows are not the best places to sit, the music will be muffled. The front row is definitely the best place.
The auditorium is almost round, only the orchestra pit with the stage above it is in a straight line. The seats are not the collapsible type but true armchairs in red plush, joint together. If not the auditorium would be in disorder. On the sides against the boxes lose chairs upholstered in red plush. They had straight backs and didn’t look too comfortable.
Each tier of boxes has its own lobby where drinks are served in the interval. There are mahogany frames around the doors leading to the seats, the walls are decorated with burgundy red silk wall covering.
Right under the dome is the echoing Sala Pomperana all in pink marble, wine red, rich blue and gold. It is now used as a foyer during intervals.
Legend has it that the theatre is haunted. The ghost is a nun who lived in the convent that once stood in this place. But we didn’t see her.