Concerts

For up-to-date information, consult local publications or the IAT OFFICE (Piazza San Marco, 71/f San Marco, PHONE: 041/5298740 or 041/5298711). KELE E TEO AGENCY (Ponte dei Bareteri, 4930 San Marco, PHONE: 041/5208722, FAX: 041/5208913), closed weekends, handles tickets for some musical events.

If you hear something you like, there is a good chance it's on sale at NALESSO (Calle dello Spezier, off Campo Santo Strefano, 2765 San Marco, PHONE: 041/5203329, Mon.-Sat. 9:30-2:30 and 3:30-7:30), a shop that specializes in Venetian classical music of all kinds and handles tickets for some concerts. The English-speaking staff is a good source of information about the musical events in town.

The AULA MAGNA TOLENTINI (191 Santa Croce, near Chiesa dei Tolentini, PHONE: 041/2571806) and CHIESA DI SAN SAMUELE (Campo San Samuele, near Palazzo Grassi) host folk and ethnic groups from all over the world.

CHIESA DELLA PIETÀ. This church has long been associated with Vivaldi, and frequent concerts here often feature his music. Over Christmas and during Carnevale, concerts are held every evening. Shows by such groups as Le Venexiane and Le Putte Veneziane di Vivaldi are performed in 18th-century costume. The Pietà is also a regular venue for the performances of the Virtuosi dell'Ensamble di Venezia. Tickets, sold at the church and at various agencies, often include admission to a tiny museum of Baroque instruments. Riva degli Schiavoni, Calle delle Pietà, Castello, PHONE: 041/5231096 information and reservations, FAX: 041/917257. COST: 40,000 lire.

CHIESA DI SAN BARTOLOMEO. At the foot of the Rialto Bridge, St. Bartholomew is the official seat of the string group Interpreti Veneziani, which plays Vivaldi, Paganini, Rossini, and lesser-known composers like Tartini and Corelli. Attending a concert here is the best way to visit this church, which is not normally open. Campo San Bartolomio, 5096 San Marco, PHONE: 041/2770561 or 041/2770593. COST: 35,000 lire.

GRUPPO ACCADEMIA DI SAN ROCCO. This group plays a more varied repertoire than the Interpreti Veneziani. Its summer season debuts at the Scuola Grande di San Rocco (Campo San Rocco, 3054 San Polo, PHONE: 041/5234864), and in the winter it moves to the more central Ateneo Veneto (Campo San Fantin, 1897 San Marco, PHONE: 041/5224459).Seat prices range from 35,000 to 50,000 lire.

MUSEO QUERINI-STAMPALIA. On certain days (at press time every Friday and Saturday), this museum hosts concerts of musica antica. Entrance is included in the admission price of the museum. Campiello Querini-Stampalia, near Campo Santa Maria Formosa, 4778 Castello, PHONE: 041/2711411. COST: 10,000 lire.

MUSICI VENEZIANI. The musicians play in 18th-century costume at the Ateneo San Basso in Piazzetta dei Leoncini, but the ticket price reflects the tailoring bills. Aside from the ever-present Vivaldi, you might also hear Albinoni, Bach, Handel, and Mozart. Ateneo San Basso, Piazzetta dei Leoncini, 315 San Marco, PHONE: 041/5210294 for booking and information. COST: 40,000-60,000 lire.

L'OFFERTA MUSICALE. Perhaps the best performances of all are those put on by Venice's main chamber orchestra in the rooms of Museo Correr. Piazza San Marco, Ala Napoleonica, San Marco, PHONE: 041/5225625. COST: 17,000 lire.

SCUOLA GRANDE DI SAN GIOVANNI EVANGELISTA. The Orchestra di Venezia performs concerts in costume at the Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista, with two added bonuses: a baroque ballet and a soprano singing along to the notes of Vivaldi, Albinoni, Boccherini, and Cesti. Campiello della Scuola, 2454 San Polo, PHONE: 041/5235807. COST: 40,000-60,000 lire.

SCUOLA GRANDE DI SAN TEODORO. The season of Venetian music runs from May to November. Campo San Salvador, San Marco, PHONE: 041/5210294.

TEATRO FONDAMENTE NUOVE. Contemporary music and dance is often staged at this theater. 5013 Cannaregio, near Chiesa dei Gesuiti, PHONE: 041/5231988.

Opera

TEATRO LA FENICE. The theater is one of Italy's oldest opera houses, a shrine and pilgrimage site for all opera lovers and the scene of many memorable operatic premieres, including, in 1853, the dismal first-night flop of Verdi's La Traviata. The great opera house was badly damaged by fire in January, 1996, and careful "philological" restoration work has begun -- helped in large part by donations from opera-lovers around the world. At press time, delays and scandal had jeopardized the 2000 season. Until the Fenice reopens, opera, symphony, and ballet performances are held year-round at the Palafenice (Cassa di Risparmio bank, Campo San Luca, PHONE: 041/5210161; 041/5204010 ticket information) near the Tronchetto parking area. Campo San Fantin.

TEATRO FONDAMENTE NUOVE. For avant-garde ballet, take a look at this theater group's program (5013 Cannaregio, near Chiesa dei Gesuiti, PHONE: 041/5231988.).

TEATRO TONIOLO. On the mainland, the theater hosts an interesting mix of events, from contemporary music concerts to operas with renowned international singers, fringe theater pieces (in Italian or dialect), and classic plays (in Italian). Piazzetta Battisti, off central Piazza Ferretto, Mestre, PHONE: 041/971666.

Performing Arts

Typical arts venues in Venice include the PALAZZO DUCALE (Palazzo Ducale, Piazzetta San Marco, PHONE: 041/5224951), PALAZZO GRASSI (Campo San Samuele, 3231 San Marco, PHONE: 041/5231680), PALAZZO FORTUNY (Campo San Beneto, 3780 San Marco, PHONE: 041/5200995), PINACOTECA QUERINI-STAMPALIA (Campiello Querini-Stampalia, 4778 Castello, PHONE: 041/2711411), CA' REZZONICO (Fondamenta Pedrocco, 3136 Dorsoduro, PHONE: 041/2410100), and the MUSEO CORRER (Piazza San Marco, Ala Napoleonica, PHONE: 041/5225625). The old rooms of the LIBRERIA SANSOVINIANA, in Piazza San Marco, and the art collection of the GALLERIA DI PALAZZO CINI (Campo San Vio, 864 Dorsoduro, PHONE: 041/5210755), near the Gallerie dell'Accademia, can be visited only during temporary exhibits.

Deconsecrated churches are also used occasionally for temporary exhibitions. PALAZZO ALBRIZZI (Fondamenta Sant'Andrea, 4118 Cannaregio) hosts shows related to German art and culture. The GALLERIA BEVILACQUA LA MASA, under the Procuratie Nuove on Piazza San Marco, houses contemporary fine arts events.