Baths of Caracalla

Baths of Caracalla

First week in July to second week in August

Originally designed as a social gathering place for men in third-century Rome, the Baths of Caracalla became the unusual setting for open-air opera in 1937. Held every summer, the Bath Operas feature grand Italian operas such as Giuseppe Verdi's Aida, which are produced by the Rome Opera Company in lavish style. Ballet performances produced by local and international dance companies are also on the program. The events take place in the evening on one of the world's largest stages—100 feet long and 162 feet wide. While the acoustics are far from ideal, more than 10,000 spectators generally fill the bleachers to enjoy this one-of-a-kind musical extravaganza.

CONTACTS:
Italian Government Tourist Board
630 Fifth Ave., Ste. 1565
New York, NY 10111
212-245-5618; fax: 212-586-9249
www.italiantourism.com

SOURCES:
MusFestEurBrit-1980, p. 113

Celebration days:
2011: Jul 3 - Aug 20
2012: Jul 1 - Aug 18
2013: Jul 7 - Aug 17
2014: Jul 6 - Aug 16
2015: Jul 5 - Aug 15