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At one of the most spectacularly sited theatres of the ancient world, experience Greek tragedy and comedy, modern dramatic productions, orchestral music with the Sicilian Symphonic Orchestra and the Orchestra of Teatro Massimo, plus world music from various guest artists. The theatre runs a full season with performances staged nightly from early July through to the end of August.

Classical works are staged during the spring in Syracuse’s ancient theatre. Daily performances take place from mid-May through to the end of June. The largest and one of the oldest theatres of ancient Sicily is for the most part intact and accepts modern stage sets and seating. Don’t miss one of Aeschylus’s tragedies, which is held in the theatre where they premiered thousands of years ago (see Greek Theatre).

During the month of August performances of Greek drama, classical and modern dance, and music are staged among the ruins in Selinunte’s archaeological park. Pick a spot among the temples and have a picnic under the stars. Performances start at 9pm (see Selinunte).

The Teatro Massimo was built in the 1880s as a grand symbol of post-Unification Sicily by Neo-Classical architects Giovanni Battista Basile and his son Ernesto. Although noted for its grandeur and for superb acoustics, the theatre was allowed to fall into decline and was closed for almost a quarter century. After a massive renovation effort, the doors were reopened in 1997, and once again it is Palermo’s premier venue for classical music, ballet and opera. Ballet as well as symphonic concerts can also be enjoyed at the city’s Teatro Politeama, which roughly marks the border between old and modern Palermo (see Teatro Politeama Garibaldi).

Teatro Politeama Garibaldi, Palermo

Catania’s great opera house, named after the much loved native-born composer Vincenzo Bellini (see Vincenzo Bellini), lies in the heart of the city. The grand theatre, influenced by the Paris Opéra, opened its doors in 1890 with a performance of Bellini’s masterpiece Norma – the opera was so popular Sicilians even named a pasta dish after it. The season of opera and concerts, including chamber music, and ballet performances by the theatre ballet company runs from October through to June.

The open nave of Santa Maria dello Spasimo alla Kalsa, a former church, is a romantic venue for performances and film. Music can be heard from the upper outdoor terrace as well, while artworks are on display in the covered exhibition space. It is an innovative and resourceful use for one of Palermo’s damaged historic buildings and one of the first venues to start the revival of the Kalsa neighbourhood (see Santa Maria dello Spasimo).

The ornate civic theatre of Agrigento was inaugurated in 1880 as the third largest theatre in Sicily after the Teatro Massimo in Palermo and the Teatro Bellini in Catania. The venue was dedicated to the Agrigento native playwright Luigi Pirandello on the 10th anniversary of his death in 1945 (see Luigi Pirandello). The season runs from November through May with performances of modern theatre and dance, as well as, of course, productions of works by the great playwright himself, such as Six Characters in Search of an Author .

Puppeteer Alfredo Mauceri directs traditional puppet performances in the Catania style (see Catanese School) as well as plays of the lives of the saints, and the Mauceri family’s own productions such as Alpheus , based on the myth of Alpheus and Arethusa. You can also watch puppets being made and antique puppets being restored in the family workshop down the street.

For four generations the Argento family have been producing puppet shows based on Ariosto’s Orlando Furioso . Today Vincenzo Argento and his three children run the theatre, making their own puppets and painting their own scenery in the theatre workshop near Palermo’s cathedral.

A traditional puppet theatre staged by Palermitan master puppeteer Girolamo Cuticchio. See popular shows of Charlemagne and his paladins (see Puppet Traditions and Museums), plus stories of Sicilian saints, brigands and even Don Quixote and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs . There is also a Cuticchio theatre in Cefalù.