The Sferisterio in Macerata is a stadium and a one-of-a-kind piece of architecture. Built on the initiative of Cento Consorti, it was designed in 1823 by neoclassical architect Ireneo Aleandri, for the Italian sport “palla al bracciale”. It was only in 1921 that it turned into an opera house: the only open-air one around.
After the first lyric seasons of 1921 and 1922, from 1967, the year of the reopening with Otello by Mario Del Monaco, the Sferisterio hosted the most legendary artists: Luciano Pavarotti, Katia Ricciarelli, Renato Bruson, Montserrat Caballé, Placido Domingo, Rudolf Nureyev, Carla Fracci, Roberto Bolle.
The majestic yet intimate building, with its 2500 seats, 104 benches and the longest stage in Europe, gives audience members a perfect view and has excellent acoustics.