As we all know, this Christmas is unlike any others. In order to make the best of it, here are some suggestions for concerts that will be streamed live online in Italy on December 23rd and 24th.
December 23rd
- “Natale in Viterbo” at 9pm with Antonella Ruggiero accompanied by the Etruri Orchestral Ensemble. Christmas favorites such as Carol of the Bells, Joy to the World and many others will be sung by the choir of 50 and accompanied by 40 musicians. Streaming on: Visit Viterbo pagina Facebook, Teatro dell’Unione pagina Facebook, Comune di Viterbo YouTube.
- Francesco Gabbani, winner of the San Remo Festival in 2017 and major pop star, will perform in Ferrara at 10pm. He’ll be accompanied by master flutist Andrea Griminelli and will perform his hits plus classic Christmas songs. Streaming on: pagina Facebook del Comune di Ferrara, e sulla pagina Facebook del sindaco Alan Fabbri.
- From Conegliano, the Gran Concerto at 9pm with classic Christmas tunes plus a rare performance of a vocal/ukulele version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Streaming on: Visit Conegliano pagina Facebook, Visit Conegliano YouTube.
- Big Vocal Orchestra of Venezia beginning at 6pm and continuously streaming through January 6th. This concert was held in 2019 and includes a beautiful tribute to the city of Venice after the terrible flooding in November 2019. This is the largest choir in Italy and they will perform classic Christmas hits plus pop-rock songs. Streaming on: pagina Facebook Big Vocal Orchestra, e dal Teatro Stabile di Venezia.
December 24th
- from the Teatro alla Scala at 10:25 am on RAI 1 and again on December 25th at 4:40 pm on RAI 5. This concert will include Mozart’s concerto no. 9 and soprano Aida Garifullina.
- from Teatro Verdi in Firenze at 5pm, the Tuscan Orchestra will perform various pieces from Martin Scorsese films as well as the Godfather and the Cavalleria Rusticana. Streaming on: YouTube Orchestra della Toscana e sulla pagina Facebook.
- On Canale 5 around 9:15pm is probably the most anticipated of all the Christmas concerts as it will draw huge names in Italian music like Arisa, Emma, Nek, Renato Zero and many others. A true mix of pop hits and classic holiday tunes plus a chance to donate to a good cause during the broadcast.
If you were getting used to the magic of Christmas in Italy and wandering the illuminated historic centers with friends and family and hot chocolate, this year will certainly be very different. We can still experience the magic of Christmas from our homes with our immediate family and hope for a better 2021 for all.
