Dating back to the early 1800s, the Teatro Carlo Felice has long been the principal opera house in Genoa. Orchestral recitals, ballet and opera are among the upscale performances that take place here. Attend a recital or showing one evening with your family for a taste of Italian tradition and culture.
Arrive at the Piazza de Ferrari and gaze up at the Romanesque columns fronting the building. A large colonnade and an imposing pediment are among the standout features. See the arcade at night, when it dazzles in electric blue light. Notice the rectangular tower rising high above the neoclassical frontage. It contains many of the set designs and stage mechanisms.
Flanking the 2,000 seats of the main theater are the façades of artificial houses made of marble, stone blocks and metal beams. Gaze up at the false windows, shutters and balconies that create the impression of a traditional neighborhood setting. Watch a dance performance, listen to an orchestral recital or enjoy the soothing harmonies of the Choir of Teatro Carlo Felice Foundation.
The initial building was constructed by architect Carlo Barabino in 1827 and named for Carlo Felice, the Duke of Savoy and King of Sardinia. Note that the structure was completely rebuilt following heavy bombing in World War II. Some original columns, inscriptions and a terrace survive from the first edifice.
Check the opera house’s schedule on its official website. The ticket office is open Tuesday through Saturday from late morning until late afternoon. You can also book by phone.
Find the Teatro Carlo Felice on the Piazza de Ferrari in Genoa’s historic center. Take the metro to the De Ferrari stop beside the opera house or walk west for 15 minutes from the Genova Brignole train station. In close proximity to the theater are other architectural gems such as the Abbazia di San Matteo, the Palazzo della Nuova Borsa and the Columbus House.
