A trip in search of the ancient Roman history cannot miss the Baths of Caracalla, with a rich program of opera, ballet and music offered on the summer evenings.
O n a summer night, music has a magical flavour. Here, it is paired with history and art, against a perfect backdrop of the ancient Roman ruins dating back to the beginning of the 3rd century AD and designed by Emperor Caracalla as a place for wellness, reflection and relaxation. Considered one of the largest and best preserved thermal complexes of antiquity, the Baths of Caracalla were once adorned with gigantic marble columns, polychrome floors, spectacular and imaginative mosaics, painted stuccos and monumental sculptural groups. Even today, the visitors can still sense the charm of its days gone by, enthralled by this architectural and engineering masterpiece that retains the splendor and magnificence of a glorious imperial past. At dusk, this place of meeting and entertainment of the ancient Romans is transformed into an evocative setting for the summer season of the Teatro dell’Opera. In a musical dialogue, classical and contemporary pieces alternate on the bill, ranging from lyrical works (Verdi’s “Traviata” and “Aida”) and ballet (like “Romeo and Juliet” by Prokofiev to the “Roberto Bolle and Friends” gala, which brings together some of the brightest stars of dance and the best of La Scala) to internationally renowned artists such as Plácido Domingo. By now a traditional feature of the Roman summer, performances at the Baths of Caracalla continue to gather an even wider audience, thanks to the variety and quality of the program on the bill and the unique, enchanting setting.