Rome Opera House Moves Summer Season to Villa Borghese with Verdi's Rigoletto

The Teatro dell'Opera di Roma will relocate its summer opera season from the Terme di Caracalla to Piazza di Siena in Villa Borghese, starting in July 2020 with Giuseppe Verdi's Rigoletto. The move is necessitated by anti-Coronavirus measures that make the Caracalla venue, with its 4,500-seat capacity, incompatible with social distancing requirements. Superintendent Carlo Fuortes announced the plan in an interview with Corriere della Sera, stating that Piazza di Siena is ideal for avoiding crowds and allows for a seated, numbered audience. The production, directed by Daniele Gatti with staging by Damiano Michieletto, will be the first to implement on-stage anti-COVID measures, including distancing between performers and mask usage, with exceptions for wind instruments and singers. Fuortes emphasized resilience and adaptation, noting that the calendar is not final and may include Il barbiere di Siviglia in concert form, a ballet by Roland Petit set to Pink Floyd music, and symphonic repertoire. The decision was made in agreement with Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi. Piazza di Siena has previously hosted rock concerts and opera.