Rome current events, shows, theatres, opera, concerts, festivals, exhibitions, sport events, celebrations, music concerts, classic music concerts, jazz pop rock concerts, theatre, off the beaten track

Palazzo Colonna, Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, Palazzo Pallavicini. Info 066832774
Capolavori inaccessibili da tre collezioni: Colonna, Pallavicini e Doria Pamphilj (Unseen masterpieces from the Colonna, Pallavicini and Doria collections)
Palazzo Colonna, Via della Pilotta, 17
From 3 to 5 Jun: 43 opere del Vanvitelli
Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, Piazza del Collegio Romano, 2
From 10 to 12 Jun: L’Annunciazione di Filippo Lippi
Palazzo Pallavicini, Via XXIV Maggio, 43
From 24 to 26 Jun: La Derelitta del Botticelli
Three unique exhibitions that feature works until now kept under wraps in the palazzi of Rome’s noble families. It will be possible to admire 43 Views by Gaspare Vanvitelli in Palazzo Colonna: they feature Rome and the towns located in the Alban Hills (the so-called Città dei Castelli), Naples, Venice, Florence, varies locations in Northern Italy, and the fantastical paintings known as "capricci" (“whims”) inspired by the city as a concept. Palazzo Doria Pamphili will exhibit Filippo Lippi’s Annunciation, while the Colonnas show Derelitta by Botticelli to the public. h10-17. Admission free

Palazzo Venezia. Via del Plebiscito, 118. Info 0632810
From 16 Jun to 25 Sep: Fernando Botero. Gli ultimi 15 anni (Fernando Botero. The last fifteen years)
At least 170 previously unseen works (among which paintings, drawings and sculptures) created by this original artist, born out of a Latin-American tradition and brought up on European painting: Fernando Botero has had shows in the most important American, European and Asian museums. The pulsating heart of the exhibition is the series of 50 paintings denouncing the horrors that took place at Abu Ghraib: in them prisoners are piled on top of one another, tied up, gagged and beaten. The large sections of colour and Botero’s typically ample proportions once again are a shout of indignation at social scandal, similar to his outcry in the 90s regarding the bloody events afoot at the time in his native Colombia.Tue-sun h10-19. €8, reduced €5

Musei Capitolini. Piazza del Campidoglio, 1. Info 0639967800
From June: Leon Battista Alberti a Roma. Umanisti e architetti alla scoperta dell'antico nel Quattrocento (Leon Battista Alberti in Rome. Humanists and architects discovering antiquity in the 1400s)
Leon Battista Alberti was a great architect, a writer in Latin and the popular language of the time, a scholar, the elaborator of mathematical perspective and an art theorist. Using ancient art as his starting point, he developed the theory that beautry is harmony and can be expressed mathematically between its whole and its parts: the "proportionality" of Roman buildings is at the base of architectural design. The exhibition contains ancient architectural pieces alongside drawings and journals of the time all bearing witness to his relationship with Rome.

Scuderie del Quirinale. Piazza del Quirinale. Via XXIV Maggio, 16. Info 0639967500
Until 19 Jun: Capolavori del Guggenheim (Masterpieces from the Guggenheim Collection)
From Renoir to Andy Warhol, 75 masterpieces from the Guggenheim museums in New York, Bilbao and Venice are on show. Works by Picasso, Renoir, Miró, Kandinsky, Monet, Pollock, Cezanne, Mondrian, Léger, Rothko, Ernst and Klee represent some of last century's artistic masterpieces. Sun-thu h10-20, fri-sat h10-22.30. €10,50, reduced €9

Complesso del Vittoriano, Via San Pietro in Carcere. Info 066780664
Until 19 Jun: Munch 1863 - 1944
Strongly influenced by the Nordic culture of those years, above all literature and philosophy, from the dramas of Ibsen and Strindberg to the existentialist philosophy of Kierkegaard and Sigmund Freud's psychoanalysis, Munch contrasts figures from the external and objective reality with images from his tormented interior vision, replacing concrete aspects of the world he lived in with the obsessive phantoms of his complex interior life. Mon-Thu h9,30-19,30; fri and sat h9,30-23,30; sun h9,30-20,30. €9, reduced €6,50

Macro Mattatoio, Piazza Orazio Gustiniani, 4. Info 065742284
From 7 Jun to Sep: Nuove acquisizioni. Due anni di crescita della collezione (New purchases. Two years in the collection’s development)
A major collective exhibition with installations, photographs, paintings and sculptures by artists from all over the world, among which Carla Accardi, the "dame" of Italian abstract art, Michal Rovner, who uses both photography and video, South African Kendell Geers, Alfredo Jaar, who will present a preview of a work that is part of the permanent collection, and the young Bolognese performer Sissi. Tue-sun h16-24. Admission free

Chiostro del Bramante. Via della Pace. Info 0668809036
Until 5 Jun: Renato Guttuso - Opere della Fondazione Francesco Pellin (Renato Guttuso – works 1931-1986 from the Fondazione Francesco Pellin)
The Mazzotta Foundation is dedicating an exhibition to Renato Guttuso featuring the 77 paintings and 47 drawings belonging to the Francesco Pellin Foundation in Varese, currently the most important private collection of the artist’s works. h10-20. Sat h10-24. Sun h10-21,30. Closed mon.

Complesso del Vittoriano, Via San Pietro in Carcere. Info 066780664
Until 12 Jun: Il lavoro nelle Avanguardie Russe (Work in Russia’s Avant garde movements)
Over 70 masterpieces from the Tret'jakov Gallery in Moscow, among which Malevich’s ‘Tree feller’ and creations by Lobanov and Rublev, bear witness to the lively flowering of Russian painting from the start of the 20th century until the 1930s. Their inspiration comes from the relationship, and definition of the confines, between art and work: art loses its abstract characteristics and becomes a factor in productive organisation.

Senato della Repubblica. Palazzo Giustiniani. Via dei Giustiniani, 11. Info 0639967350
Until 19 Jun: Canaletto. The triumph of the view
38 paintings and 36 drawings by 18th Century Venetian vedutista (painter of 'views') Antonio Canal. The works on show are from the most important museums around the world, and some have never been exhibited before in Italy. They all refer to the artist's central period of activity and his relationship with Rome. Sun-Wed h9:30-19:30 (last entry h18:30) - Thu-Sat h9:30-21 (last entry h20). The exhibition will remain open on 28 March, 25 April, 1 May, 2 June. €9, reduced €8

MUSIC: Jazz, Pop, Rock

Stadio Olimpico, Via del Foro Italico. Info evento 063614831
5 Jun: La giornata dello sport. VIVERE DA CAMPIONE (Day of Sport. THE LIFE OF A CHAMPION)
The four-hour long event featuring music, sport and entertainment will be presented by Simona Cantoni and Lillo & Greg and Enrico Brignano. Some exceptional music stars will perform among which: All McKay All Stars Earth Wind & Fire Experience, Francesco Renga, I Nomadi, Paul Young, Nicky Nicolai e Stefano Di Battista, Velvet, Marina Rei, Dulce Pontes, Mario Reyes & Gipsy All Stars, Antonella Ruggiero, Paolo Vallesi, Selim T, Mietta, Mariella Nava, Paolo Meneguzzi, Arké String Project, Kaleidoscopio, Valentina Farci, Miriam Castorino. The following sporting personalities will also take part: Yuri Chechi, Manuela Di Centa, Antonio Rossi, the players of the S. S. Lazio and A. S. Roma football teams and 50 champions from all sporting disciplines. All proceeds will be handed over to the SMILEAGAIN Association that works to help women in Bangladesh who have been abused and ill treated after refusing to marry local suitors.

Palalottomatica. Piazzale dello Sport (Metro B Eur Fermi)
13 Jun: Mark Knopfler

Foro Italico. Viale dei Gladiatori, 31. Info 068074560
12 Jun: Van Der Graf
20 Jun: Pat Metheny Group -
25 Jun: Tiromancino
26 Jun: Afterhours
27 Jun: Sugarfree

Villaggio Globale, Lungotevere Testaccio. Info 0657300329
11 Jun: Max Gazzè

Cornetto Free Music Festival - Circo Massimo
19 Jun: Duran Duran
Elisa

Fiesta - Ippodromo delle Capannelle, Via Appia Nuova, 1245
24 Jun: Negrita

Stadio Olimpico. P.le De Bosis.
10 Jun: R.E.M.
23 Jun: Blue

Auditorium Parco della Musica. Viale P. de Coubertin, 15. Info 0680241281
5 Jun: William Parker
26 Jun: Brad Mehldau
29 Jun: "La Notte della Taranta"
30 Jun: Talvin Singh
Box office open Tue-sun h11-17 (Sat h13-17). Advance ticket sales: 800907080 (Mon-fri h10-17), from mobile phones: 068088352

Accademia di Francia Villa Medici. Viale Trinità dei Monti, 1. Info 0667611
From 20 to 27 Jun: Jazz a Villa Medici (Jazz at the Villa Medici)
A series of prestigious jazz rendez-vous in which the Roman pianist and composer Enrico Pieranunzi, who boasts collaborations with the biggest names on the international jazz scene, takes centre stage. 20, 24, 27 Giu h21. €7, reduced €3,50

Piazza del Popolo
28 Jun: Renzo Arbore and the Italian Orchestra. Festa di Roma
He will sing classic Neapolitan songs, Roman folk songs learnt from Gabriella Ferri, and some of his own, and heretofore never heard, work. h21-24. Admission free

Villa Celimontana, Via della Navicella. Info 065897807
From 8 Jun to 3 Sep: Jazz & Image a Villa Celimontana
Villa Celimontana reopens its premises to the sounds and immages of music in a new edition of this festival that is more keen than ever to discover new jazz sounds. Many artists will take part, from Carlo Bruschini to Madre Tierra, from Aires Tango to Avion Travel. There will also be space given to new electronica and funk-soul, and legends such as Earth, Wind & Fire, Kool and the Gang, Chic. Further enriching the already varied programme is the unusual encounter between theatre and music in Lover man , the female soul of Premiata Ditta, and brunch and cocktails on Sundays.

La Palma Club, Via G. Mirri, 35. Info 0643599029
Until 31 Jul: Fandango Jazz Festival 2005
In the setting of one of the city’s most exclusive clubs, the Fandango Jazz Festival brings together great names on the international jazz scene, as well as protagonists of other musical genres.
1 Jun: Bollani 5tet
2 Jun: Bollani solo
3 Jun: Bollani & Salis
9 Jun: Avion Travel 4tet
11 Jun: Frankie Hi Nrg Mc
12 Jun: Joseph Malik
24 Jun: Nicola Arigliano

Cineporto, Via Antonio di San Giuliano (tra il Foro Italico e Ponte Milvio) Info 6896302
From 15 Jun: Roma Hot Summit
Red hot nights filled with swing music, rock'n roll, jumpin'blues, jazz and dance. Entrance free.

Classical Music - Opera - Ballet

Opera di Roma. Piazza B. Gigli, 1. Info 800016665
From 17 to 25 Jun: Thais
Lyrical comedy in three acts and seven scenes. Libretto by Louis Gallet adapted from the novel by Anatole France. Music by Jules Massenet. In the original language version with subtitles in Italian. Concert Master and Orchestra Director: Pascal Rophé. Choir Master: Andrea Giorgi. Scenery: Pier Luigi Samaritani. Presented by Renzo Giacchieri. Choreography: Wayne Eagling. Design: Luci Patrizio Maggi. Fri 17 h18,30; sat 18 h18; sun 19 h17; tue 21, wed 22, thu 23, fri 24 h20,30; sat 25 h18

Auditorium Parco della Musica. Viale P. de Coubertin, 15. Info 0680241281
24 Jun: Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia - Carlo Rizzi conductor
Box office open Tue-sun h11-17 (Sat h13-17). Advance ticket sales: 800907080 (Mon-fri h10-17), from mobile phones: 068088352

Teatro Brancaccio. Via Merulana, 244 . Info 0647824893
Until 5 Jun: Sognando tangos (Dreaming tangos)
Sognando Tangos is a tale recounted through a powerful and sensual form of artistic expression: tango. Colours, smells and sensations that only Argentina and countries bordering with the Tierra del Fuego can transmit take shape in a dreamlike atmosphere. Direction, adaptation and choreography by Mauro Barreras. With Mauro Barreras and Roberta Beccarini Tue-sat h21; sun h17

Teatro Sistina. Via Sistina, 129. Info 064200711
Until 2 Jun: Patrizia. The musical - perché vivere è una grande occasione (Patrizia. The musical – why living is a great opportunity)
Original libretto by Arnaldo Foà. Original music by Fabio Concato. The following songs - “Canzone della protesta”, “Canzone dei drogati” and “Bocca Cucita” - are by Roberto Procaccini. Scenery by Roberto Rebaudengo. Choreography by Gabriella Furlan Malvezzi. Direction by Roberto Innocente. €27,50, reduced €11
6 Jun: L'angelo azzurro - balletto (The blue angel – ballet)
Ballet in 1 act and 16 scenes. Choreography by Daniela Megna. Music by Francesco Lanzillotta. The ballet, which is inspired by the 1930 film of the same name, underlines essential human requirements such as finding oneself and fulfilling one’s need for love through the expressiveness and dynamics of contemporary dance€22, reduced €13,20
Until 13 Jun: The concerts Roma nel cuore

Palazzo Altieri, Piazza del Gesù, 49. Info 3349571565
Until 12 Jun: I concerti della Libraria (The Libraria's concerts)
Three refined and intense chamber music concerts performed by some of the most famous musicians of the Accademia Internazionale del Pianoforte located on Lake Como whose president is Martha Argerich. Conductor: William Grant Naborè. Entrance time h20,40. Start of performances h21

Teatro Vascello, Via G. Carini, 78. Info 065881021
Until 30 Jun: La danza contemporanea (Contemporary dance)
In the 2005 edition of this contemporary dance festival many important foreign groups will perform – Milon Mela from India for example – as well as Italian ones. The Festad'Africa Festival will also collaborate. Weekdays h21, holidays h17. €12, reduced €8

Chiesa Sant'Ignazio, Piazza Sant'Ignazio
16 Jun: The Greeley Chorale in W. A. Mozart - Requiem
A major concert featuring 60 singers from the Greeley Chorale who are accompanied by the Italian Mozart Sinfonietta orchestra conducted by Stefano Sabeni. The soloists are Anita McSwain (soprano), Mary Blattner (mezzo soprano), Michael Foerster (tenor), and Anthony Offerle (bass). h21. Admission free

Chiostro di San Clemente al Colosseo, P.zza San Clemente, 1. Info 3478524241
Teatro Romano di Ostia Antica, Viale dei Romagnoli, 717 - Ostia Antica (Roma)
From 23 Jun to 19 Aug: New OperaFestival
Fifty evenings dedicated to great musical performances in the Basilica of San Clemente cloister and the Roman Theatre at Ostia Antica. The Rome New Operafestival and I.K.O International present The Marriage of Figaro, The Trovatore, La Traviata, La Bohème, Tosca and numerous lyrical concerts. €25, reduced €12

THEATRE

Teatro Romano di Ostia Antica, Viale dei Romagnoli, 717 - Ostia Antica (Roma)
From 9 Jun to Sep: Cosmophonies
Cosmophonies: a compound word, in which the idea of sound merges with the idea of the universe bringing about a festival ion which singer-songwriters, rock, opera, theatre, cabaret and dance all take centre stage. The offerings are diverse but all have a high level of performance and the talent of the artists in common. The event takes place in an enchanting location. h21,30. From €10 to €23 + advance sales
9 Jun: Simona Marchini in Lingua d'amore (performance-concert)
10 Jun: Lella Costa in Stanca di guerra, by Lella Costa and Alessandro Baricco
11 Jun: Alessandro Di Carlo in Pentiamoci
17 Jun: Lillo & Greg with Latte e i suoi derivati
19 Jun: Antonella Ruggiero (charity concert for disabled people in collaboration with the Association
21 Jun: Negramaro
25 Jun: Dado in New Show

Until 12 Jun: Favete Linguis in La signora ha due mariti (The lady has two husbands)
A musical comedy taken from Jorge Amado’s bestseller, Donna Flor e i suoi due mariti (Dona Flor and her two husbands). Directed by Augusto Fornari. Music by Favete Linguis. The irony-laden atmospheres of the Carnival of Bahia are brought to life in this comedy about Dona Flor. After the death of her husband Vito, a womaniser and bon viveur, she marries again, this time her husband is a serious and affectionate pharmacist called Teodoro. One night Vito appears to her in a dream, and from that moment onwards is constantly present in her life, judging Teodoro’s amorous performances and having jealous fits in front of Flor. Weekdays h21, sundays and holidays h17,30. From €11 to €18

Teatro dell'Orologio, Via de' Filippini, 17/a. Info 0668308330
Until 19 Jun: Ilona ovvero l'irresistibile ascesa di mia madre (Ilona or the irresistible ascent of my mother)
A huge cast of actors and singers present the musical that marks the return of the curtain raiser in Italian Theatre. The question of this show is who is Ilona, the Eastern European immigrant who has been imported, raped, exploited? The answer is a woman who overcame her tyrants, becoming a smiling beauty who scaled our hierarchies. Directed by Massimiliano Caprara.

CINEMA

Palazzo Venezia, Via del Plebiscito, 118. Info rassegna 068840262
Palazzo Wedekind, Piazza Colonna, 366
Sala Trevi, via del Puttarello
Until 5 Jun: DOCFEST - Festival sul documentario d’arte (DOCFEST – Festival of art documentaries)
The festival is made up of an international competition, conferences, meetings between public, artists and directors, and three exhibitions showing material made available by RAI, Istituto Luce, and the Louvre Museum – “The Louvre in Rome”, “The art of construction”, “50 years of art”. Two opening and closing soirées will be held in which the jet set of the art and show business worlds will take part.

Basilica di Massenzio. Entry Clivo di Venere Felice (Fori Imperiali). Info 0682077304
Until 8 Sep: Letterature, 4° Festival Internazionale di Roma (Letterature-4th International Literature Festival of Rome).
Performances made up words and music will grace the stage of the ancient Basilica of Maxentius. Big names in the international world of literature will read their own texts in original version, while actors will bring to life the authors’ previous works. This year’s theme is Fear and Hope. Free entrance while places still available

ROME WITH A VIEW

KIDS

It is a new way to get to know the history of Rome. With large-screen recreations of the city and ongoing commentaries (available in six languages) from a whole cast of digitally-reanimated emperors and artists, over 3,000 years of history is covered in less than an hour. And as punters are strapped into moving seats, you can experience the ups and downs of the city both physically and literally. An interesting, hands-on experience that should interest younger visitors in what awaits them outside this Disneyland-spawned attraction.
10am-midnight daily, Via del Corso 259, Via SS Apostoli 20 (06 699 0053). Bus to Via del Corso.

Explora is a new museum for the under-12s, linked up to over 300 similar venues throughout the world. The distinctive feature of Explora is that it has been totally designed with the younger visitor in mind. Rather than exhibits set safely behind glass cases, this is definitely a hands-on experience, discovering the ins and outs of everything from Newtonian physics to presenting a news report. Housed in a reconverted tram depot dating back to the 1870s, the building itself should also interest fans of industrial architecture. Booking is recommended.
9.30am-5pm Tue-Fri, 10am-5pm Sat, Sun, Museo Explora, Via Flaminio 80 (06 361 3776). Tram to Via Flaminio.

New at the ZooRome Zoo - now fetchingly rechristened the 'Bio-Park' - is expanding. Latest addition is a section dedicated to marine bio-diversity. In a room to itself, a model of the seabed has been created where unters young and old can admire over 2,000 species that inhabit the tropical reaches of the Red Sea. From the eight beautiful examples of coral to 70 varieties of tropical fish and hundreds of tiny invertebrates, the display goes well beyond the confines of the average aquarium.
9am-5pm Tue-Sun, Museo Civico di Zoologia, Via Aldrovandi 18 (06 6710 9270). Tram to Via Aldrovandi.

EATING AND DRINKING

Each day the first service from Ponte Duca d'Aosta and the Isola Tiberina will set off at 8am and the last at 7pm, with a break between 2 and 4pm. The departure times for tourist cruises remain as before (10am, 11.30am, 3.30pm, 5pm). Departure times for the service with dinner on board is at 8pm, or for a more exclusive atmosphere, at 9pm. Info 066789361

A novelty for Romans and visitors alike, Ristotram makes use of the city's superannuated trams. Completely restored, with enhanced retro furnishings and fittings, two vehicles have been put back n the tracks for an experience that combines snacking with sightseeing. Just the ticket if you fancy a light lunch or a five o'clock pick-me-up while watching the Colosseum and other Eternal City sights lide by. The trip takes about one hour; group bookings and full meals available on request. Piazzale laminio (06 4695 4695). Metro Flaminio. Open noon & 5pm daily. Ticket and snack L. 11 Euros app. 10.5 US$. No credit cards.

SPORT

Stadio Olimpico, via del Foro Italico
The championship ("Campionato") will begin in the end of August, and the two teams of Rome, Roma and Lazio, are faring well. Roma was second last year just behind the Italian Champions of Internazionale FC.

Chiese Gemelle, piazza del Popolo
Pattinatori del Pincio (Pincio skaters)
Getting to know people, enjoying the beautiful sights the capital has to offer, having fun on skates, all the while following paths and routes that would be unthinkable in a car - all this is possible on Wednesday nights when you can go skating with (more or less experienced and expert) aficionados of the sport. Join the Pincio skaters! Rendez-vous only wed h21, start h21.30

Boat services on the river Tiber. Each day the first service from Ponte Duca d'Aosta and the Isola Tiberina will set off at 8am and the last at 7pm, with a break between 2 and 4pm. The departure times for tourist cruises remain as before (10am, 11.30am, 3.30pm, 5pm). Departure imes for the service with dinner on board is at 8pm, or for a more exclusive atmosphere, at 9pm. Info 066789361

Sheraton Golf Parco de' Medici, Viale Parco de' Medici, 165. Info 06658588
Until 5 Jun: BMW Ladies Italian Open
This is the central appointment in the Italian Golf Season and sees the participation of 120 players from all over Europe. The contest will be preceded on June 1 by a sporting-cum-social event, the Pro-Am where teams made up of one professional player and three amateurs are selected among the most high-profile personalities in the world of entertainment, sport and finance

Autodromo di Vallelunga , Campagnano. (Grande Raccordo Anulare - Uscita n° 5 : "Cassia Veientana" - S.S. 2 Cassia - a destra : segnaletica "Autodromo di Vallelunga") Info 06901550/1
11-12 Jun: "Coppa Italia" moto 125
18-19 Jun: Moto Ducati Desmo Challenge 2005

Villa Ada, Via Ponte Salario (Via Olimpica - Via Salaria) - zona del Sughereto
Until 26 Giu: Shiatsu at the Villa Ada
A series of introductory meetings on shiatsu. The most important instrument in shiatsu are the hands, considered the prolongation of our hearts: through touching, the healer triggers an internal flow of energy in the recipient, inducing in him a sensation of mental, physical and spiritual well-being. During these meetings participants will be able to try out the technique for free. 5, 19, 26 Giu h9-19

Villa Ada. Area attrezzata presso il laghetto, Viale Federico II di Svevia
Until 30 Jun Sport in the park
Every Sunday free lessons of: Basic gym (10:30-11:30); Low-impact aerobics (11:00-12:30); Baby gym (10:30-12:30). Info: 064957871

FAIRS AND MARKETS

Market selling antiques and prints. Piazza Fontanella Borghese. For information tel. 0648999254. Mon-Sat 09.00-19.00.

Rome's biggest fleamarket, selling everything from antiques to second hand clothes, plants and bicycles. Area around Viale Trastevere, Porta Portese, Via Portuense and Piazzale della Radio. unday mornings. For information tel. 0648999254.

Around 100 exhibitors sell 20th century furniture and memorabilia (10.00-dusk). Every third Sunday of the month.
Porticoes of Piazza Augusto Imperatore. For info, tel. 0636005345.

Garage Sale - Rigattieri per hobby. P.le della Marina, 32. Info 065880517
Pulp Fashion. Fake di via Monte Testaccio, 66. Info 33975539923
Eco-Solidale. Comunità di S. Egidio. Via del Porto Fluviale, 2. Info 0657300510
Antiquariato, modernariato e artigianato. P.zza Verdi. Info 068552773
Mercatino dell'antiquariato, artigianato e collezionismo. P.le dei Partigiani (parcheggio staz. Ostiense). Info 063093164
PalAppia Eventi. Via Appia Nuova (corner with via di Capannelle). Info 06298304
Il Paradiso delle Signore. Grand Hotel Tiberio, via Lattanzio, 51. Info 0636307220

Culture - environment

Protection of the archaeological area of Frattocchie-Boville, the original site of Julius Caesar's family.

From 6 to 11 Jul: AltaromAltamoda. Fashion in town
Rome is the diva of fashion, and the scintillating 2008 edition of AltaromAltamoda is no exception. It will be a triumph of glamour, beauty, appeal and sartorial elegance with a focus on Italian-made fashion, and on men’s collections in particular. An extraordinary array of designers take part this year: Fausto Sarli, Gattinoni, Renato Balestra, Lorenzo Riva, Abed Mahfouz and Tony Ward... AltaromAltamoda confirms itself as a premier fashion event, both for Italian and International fashion.

Various venues, città di Roma. Info and bookings for guided tours 066868260
Throughout 2009: 500 Via Giulia 1508 - 2008
A series of events will celebrate the 500-year anniversary of Via Giulia in Rome. These include conferences on history, art, social mores and the fraternal orders prevalent at the time; classical music concerts; exhibitions dedicated to painting and sacred art; processions; theatre and light shows. Especially worthy of mention are the guided tours designed to explore the beauty of sites and monuments such as Piazza dell'Oro, the Church of Santa Maria dei Senesi, the Church of Sant'Eligio degli Orefici, Palazzo Sacchetti and the Church of Santo Spirito dei Napoletani. €5 for guided tours

Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, piazza San Giovanni in Laterano
Until 6 Dec: Visite agli scavi sotto il Battistero Lateranense (Guided tours under the Lateran Baptistery)
A tour of the archaeological area under the Basilica of St John Lateran is held every first Saturday of the month, in particular the remains of an ancient frescoed house and the Castra of the Equites Singulares, that is to say the barracks where the emperor’s horseback bodyguards resided. The tour also includes a visit of an imperial baths complex under the Lateran Baptistery. Groups are made up of maximum 30 people and each tour lasts 90 minutes. h11,30. €12, advance boooking requested

Appuntamento per la partenza, piazza di Porta Maggiore. Info 3396334700/ 3381147876
Until 31 Jul: TRAMbelcanto
Close your eyes and imagine being seated in a comfortable tram from the 1920s that travels through the most attractive parts of the city by night while listening to beautiful operatic arias being performed live. Imagine dining in this very same tram in the grand setting of the Oppio Hill with a view of the Colosseum and sampling regional wines and typical local produce. Stop dreaming and make this a reality. "TRAMbelcanto". Fri h21. €55

Off the beaten track

Palazzo del Quirinale, Piazza del Quirinale. Info 0646991
2 Jun: Festa della Repubblica (Anniversary of the proclamation of the Italian Republic)
Rome is preparing itself for the festivities, which begin with a concert on 1 June. The traditional and highly evocative military parade will also take place (Via dei Fori Imperiali), as will the annual opening of the gardens of the Quirinal Palace to the public, an initiative that always draws great crowds (h15-20, admission free).

Case Romane del Celio, Monumenti del Celio. Clivo di Scauro (metro Circo Massimo). Info 0670454544
Until 24 Jun: Notti romane alle domus del Celio (Roman nights at the Domus on the Celio)
The evocative atmosphere of the splendid frescoed rooms of this archaeological site are the ideal setting to immerse oneself in the life of the ancient city and become spectators of theatre events, musical concerts and table companions at an ancient banquet…The evening ends with an introduction to the tastes and flavours of ancient Rome and the chance to try wines and foods inspired by recipes from the Imperial Age. English: fri 15 Apr h21; sun 24 Apr h18,30; sun 15 May h18,30; sat 28 May h18,30; sun 5 Jun h18,30; fri 17 Jun h21. Italian: sun 3 Apr h18,30; fri 8 Apr h 21; sun 17 Apr h18,30; fri 22 and sat 30 Apr h21; sun 8 May h18,30; fri 13 and fri 20 May h21; sun 22 May h18,30; fri 27 May h21; fri 3 and fri 10 Jun h21; sun 19 Jun h18,30; fri 24 Jun h21. €14 (booking is obligatory)

Parchi e Riserve naturali della Regione Lazio, Info 800593196 (lun-ven h9,30-13,00; h13,30-17,30)
Until 26 Jun: Giorniverdi (Green days)
The 2005 edition of Giorniverdi, an integrated programme of initiatives and activties for the development of educational and social tourism with in Lazio Region’s Protected Areas, is rich and very varied. These activities are aimed at everyone, young or old, families and single people, as their aim is that the greatest number of people possible can enjoy nature, but also get to know the local artisans, typical dishes and the value of such protected areas. Participation free, but booking is obligatory

Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti (piazza di Spagna); via Condotti; via Sistina; largo Goldoni
Until Jul: Azalee a Trinità dei Monti (Azaleas on the Trinità dei Monti)
azaleas have made their annual appearance on the Spanish steps. The event, now in its 68th year, involves the placing of 700 plants on the Trinità dei Monti and, as of this year, on adjacent streets. The lilac, pink and red azaleas in their huge vases, create a unique and highly scenic effect, resulting in the Trinità dei Monti being granted the title of ‘most beautiful staircase in the world’.

Giardino antistante la Galleria Borghese, Piazzale Museo Borghese, 5 (Parco di Villa Borghese). Info 0658334806
From 15 Jun to 12 Aug: Son et Lumière, Suoni e Luci a Villa Borghese (Son et Lumière, Sounds and Lights at Villa Borghese)
This represents an absolute novelty in the Italian cultural landscape: a show that frees written history and transforms it into a magical world of sounds and lights according to a French tradition that is over 30 years old. Images and narrating voices are projected so that the public can relive and admire the history of one of the most important museums in the world: 350 Greek and Roman pieces – friezes, statues, reliefs and busts – usually held in the Louvre return, for the duration of this tale, to their place of origin, to accompany the narration of the Villa’s History and the epic story of the Borghese family. In the background music by Bach, Monteverdi, Pergolesi and Purcell can be heard. From Thurs-Sat at 21.00 performance in English; at 22.30 performance in Italian. Duration of the performance: 50 minutes. €10 (+ €2 advance sales), rid. €7 (+ €2 advance sales), entrance free for children aged under 5

Parco di Villa Strohl Fern, Ingresso Viale Madama Letizia. Info 0682077304
Until Oct: Villa Strohl Fern apre i cancelli (Villa Strohl Fern opens its gates to visitors)
The garden’s eight hectares have in the past been the refuge of artists, writers and musicians that would sojourn here renting the chalet-studios dotted around the park (which today have been transformed into classrooms for the students of the Chateaubriand school). Visitors enter the park from Viale Madama Letizia, and can then follow an itinerary that takes them to the Studio Trombadori and the Tunnel of Roses, runs alongside the Casino Principale, takes in many of the former studios used by artists, and finishes at the Belvedere point. Every second Sunday h10; h11,30; h15; h16,30. Admission free with advance booking necessary

Last Minute Theatre tickets
The theatre ticket box office where unsold theatre tickets can be bought at the last minute with discounts of up to 50 percent has reopened. It is located at Via Bari 20 (Piazza Salerno - Policlinico metro stop on Line B - buses 490/491/495/61/649). Open Tuesday to Saturday h14-20. Advance booking charge: €1. Info: 0644180212 or 0644180246

Preview 2009

MUSIC
Gran Teatro, viale Tor di Quinto. Info spettacolo 0620382934
11 Dec: Cesare Cremonini

Palalottomatica, piazzale dello Sport. Info 199128800

24 Jun 2009: Metallica

Teatro Sistina, via Sistina, 129. Info 064200711
From 6 to 9 Apr 2009: Vinicio Capossela

Stadio Olimpico, piazzale dello Stadio Olimpico
16 Jun 2009: Depeche Mode

Events in Rome: JUNE 2009

EXHIBITIONS