Enjoying the World of Music in Venice

When you arrive into the stunning "floating city" at the Venice airport, boat rides are an excellent way to begin your stay in the island city that has no cars. With a history that dates back to the 10th century A.D., it is no wonder that it also boasts a rich culture and history of the arts and music.

Often called the "Republic of Music", the Venetian state played an intricate role in the growth and establishment of music in Italy. As you cruise along in the Venice airport boat planning your time in the city, imagine that the adage "there is music everywhere" is true. The rich history of music in the city dates back to its founding, and important developments include instrumental music for organs, virtuoso performance and instrumental ensemble. Two of the most important outlets for music in the city are churches and the opera.

Church Music

You can see San Marco's Basilica from the Venice airport boat ride along the Grand Canal, but in addition to this massive and stunning church, there are many others which take part in the traditional church music scene. But, while you are in the heart of the city, visit San Marco first and see the inside of the great church that was the dominant force behind the evolution of antiphonal compositions of brass music derived for the space. The Venetian polychoral style was also developed here and is a style of music that required spatially separate choirs singing alternatively. Outside of the main church, you can catch the Interpreti Veneziani at San Vidal Church and at Scuola Grande di San Rocco; or hear the I Musici Veneziani, which performs Vivaldi and operatic concerts at the cuola Grande di S. Teodoro in Rialto.

Opera

As early as the late 1500s, operatic performances were being put on for private families, but in the 1600s, these performances became commercial with the building of the Teatro San Cassiano, which opened in 1637 and later became knows as the Teatro Goldoni. Before you catch a Venice airport boat back to the mainland, be sure to book a ticket to see a performance in the Teatro La Fenice, which is one of the most famous opera houses in all of Europe. First built in 1774, the theatre was destroyed several times over the ensuing years (including by arson in the late 1900s), but it has been rebuilt and its stage has been graced by some of the biggest names in operatic music. If you have time, you should also try to see a performance at the Teatro Goldoni, which is located near the Rialto Bridge, in the historic centre of the city.

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you're looking for a Venice airport boat, Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don't miss your car on your holiday abroad.