Taormina: Opera Performance in the Nazarena Theater

About This Experience

This page is about an opera performance, not a visit to the Ancient Theatre. The show takes place in the Nazarena Theater, a small indoor hall in the town of Taormina. It does not include entry to the Ancient (Greek) Theatre, and it has no connection to the ancient site. We list it because many visitors look for an evening in Taormina after seeing the ruins.

The listing describes an evening of opera with works by Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, Donizetti and Rossini. Singers perform arias and duets, accompanied by a pianist. The photos show a stage with a grand piano, a red armchair, a screen with the Italian Opera Taormina logo and an audience in rows.

The ticket includes the show, a glass of Italian Prosecco and water. The listing mentions a terrace with views over the bay, where you can enjoy the drink. The duration is 1.5 hours per the listing, although one reviewer timed it at 75 minutes.

There are two options. Standard Tickets were from about $34 per person (checked November 2026) and the VIP Ticket from about $56 per person. The listing text we have does not spell out what VIP adds. Reviewers mention better seats and a drink before the show, and one called the VIP drink area underwhelming.

Reviews are mostly warm, with comments on the singers and the friendly staff. Low-star reviews mention heat in summer, a show shorter than advertised, a lesser-known selection and the pianist. Go for an intimate small-hall evening, not a grand opera house.

Highlights

• Hear opera arias and duets by Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, Donizetti and Rossini
• Listen to professional singers accompanied by a pianist
• Sit in a small hall, close to the stage
• See the staging, with a grand piano and the Italian Opera Taormina backdrop
• Have your drink with a view over the bay from the terrace (as described in the listing)
• Choose Standard or VIP seating when you book

What's Included

• ✓ Entry ticket to the opera show
• ✓ Glass of Italian Prosecco
• ✓ Water
• ✓ Performance of about 1.5 hours
• ✓ Performance in English and Italian, per the listing
• ✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

Not Included

• Merchandise
• Entry to the Ancient (Greek) Theatre
• Dinner and other drinks, and tips

What to Bring

• Your voucher on your phone
• Light layers: the hall can be warm in summer
• Water, if you run hot
• Something to pay for extras, as the listing excludes merchandise

Good to Know & Caveats

• This is an indoor opera show in the Nazarena Theater. It does not include a visit to the Ancient Theatre.
• The hall had no air conditioning in a July review, and the heat spoiled it for that visitor.
• The show was advertised as 90 minutes. One reviewer measured 75 minutes and said one singer performed for a short part of it.
• The repertoire is a mix. One reviewer found the pieces unfamiliar and not what they expected as a casual opera goer.
• VIP is a small upgrade according to reviewers: better seats and a pre-show glass. Two found the drink area plain, and the listing does not describe the VIP benefits.
• The listing marks the venue as wheelchair accessible.
• Languages are listed as English and Italian. Check the voucher for the start time and the exact entrance.

Meeting Point

You go to the Nazarena Theater in Taormina, not to the Ancient Theatre. The listing gives no street address in the text we have, so confirm the venue on your voucher.