The best places to spend an evening after the intense cultural program at daytime are:
Concerts
Aula Magna Tolentini (191 Santa Croce, Tel: 041/2571806), near Chiesa dei Tolentini, hosts folk and ethnic groups from all over the world.
Chiesa di San Samuele (Campo San Samuele, near Palazzo Grassi, San Marco) hosts folk and ethnic groups from around the globe.
Chiesa della Pieta. This church has long been associated with Vivaldi, and frequent concerts here often feature his music. Over Christmas and during Carnevale, concerts are held every evening. Shows by such groups as Le Venexiane and Le Putte Veneziane di Vivaldi are performed in 18th-century costume. The Pietà is also a regular venue for the performances of the Virtuosi dell'Ensamble di Venezia. Tickets, sold at the church and at various agencies, often include admission to a tiny museum of Baroque instruments. Riva degli Schiavoni, Calle della Pietà, Castello, Tel: 041/5231096.
Chiesa di San Bartolomio. At the foot of the Rialto Bridge, St. Bartholomew is the official seat of the string group Interpreti Veneziani, which plays Vivaldi, Paganini, Rossini, and lesser-known composers like Tartini and Corelli. Attending a concert here is the best way to visit this church, which is not normally open. Campo San Bartolomio, 5096 San Marco, Venice, Tel: 041/2770561 or 041/2770593.
Gruppo Accademia di San Rocco. This group plays a more varied repertoire than the Interpreti Veneziani. Its summer season debuts at the Scuola Grande di San Rocco (Campo San Rocco 3054, San Polo, TEL: 041/5234864); in the winter it moves to the more central Ateneo Veneto (Campo San Fantin 1897, San Marco, Tel: 041/5224459). Seat prices range from EUR18 to EUR26.
Museo Querini-Stampalia. On certain days, this museum hosts concerts of musica antica. Entrance is included in the admission price of the museum. Campiello Querini-Stampalia 4778, Castello, near Campo Santa Maria Formosa, Tel: 041/2711411.
Musici Veneziani. The musicians play in 18th-century costume at the Ateneo San Basso in Piazzetta dei Leoncini, but the ticket price reflects the tailoring bills. Aside from the ever-present Vivaldi, you might also hear Albinoni, Bach, Handel, and Mozart. Ateneo San Basso, Piazzetta dei Leoncini 315, San Marco, Tel: 041/5210294 for booking and information.
L'offerta Musicale. Among the best musical performances you'll hear in Venice are likely to be those of Venice's main chamber orchestra in the rooms of Museo Correr. Piazza San Marco, Ala Napoleonica, San Marco, Tel: 041/5225625.
Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista. The Orchestra di Venezia performs concerts in costume at the Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista, with two added bonuses: a baroque ballet and a soprano accompanying music by Vivaldi, Albinoni, Boccherini, and Cesti. Campiello della Scuola 2454, San Polo, Tel: 041/5235807.
Scuola Grande di San Teodoro. The season of Venetian music runs from May to November. Campo San Salvador, San Marco, Tel: 041/5210294.
Teatro Fondamente Nuove. Contemporary music and dance are often staged at this theater. 5013 Cannaregio, near Chiesa dei Gesuiti, Tel: 041/5231988.
Opera
Teatro La Fenice. The theater is one of Italy's oldest opera houses, a shrine and pilgrimage site for all opera lovers and the scene of many memorable operatic premieres, including, in 1853, the dismal first-night flop of Verdi's La Traviata. The great opera house was badly damaged by fire in January, 1996, and careful "philological" restoration work has begun - helped in large part by donations from opera-lovers around the world. Until the Fenice reopens, opera, symphony, and ballet performances are held year-round at the Palafenice (Cassa di Risparmio bank, Campo San Luca, Tel: 041/5210161 or 041/5204010) near the Tronchetto parking area. Campo San Fantin.
Teatro Fondamente Nuove. For avant-garde ballet, take a look at this theater group's program (5013 Cannaregio, near Chiesa dei Gesuiti, Tel: 041/5231988.).
Teatro Toniolo. On the mainland, the theater hosts an interesting mix of events, from contemporary music concerts to operas with renowned international singers, fringe theater pieces (in Italian or dialect), and classic plays (in Italian). Piazzetta Battisti, off central Piazza Ferretto, Mestre, Tel: 041/971666.
Cinema
Agora' Mignon In Mestre, unlike neighbouring Venice, cinemas prosper. The car park next to this tiny cinema is shut on Sunday afternoons so as not to disturb the films. The programme features new Italian and international releases. Check the local papers for film times.
Via Carducci
Tel.: +39 041980534
Rossini Not far from the San Luca ground, this cinema has all the comfort and dignity of a theatre, which is no surprise since it used to be one. The programme features new releases and screens are rarely full. Check the local papers for film times.
San Marco, 3968
Tel.: +39 0415230322
Nearest Train: Rialto linee 1 - 82 Actv
Corso This two-screen cinema has excellent acoustics. Check the local papers for film times.
Corso del Popolo, 30
Tel.: +39 041972615
Dante This used to be the Dopolavoro Ferroviario cinema for people who worked on the railways, and in a certain sense it still is. The programme is now set by a local cinema committee, and tends to feature rare and unusual films for dedicated film fans. The projection and sound equipment are excellent. Check the local papers for film times.
Via Sernaglia, 12
Tel.: +39 0415381655
Ritz Despite the small entrance, this cinema offers good acoustics. Check the local papers for film times.
San Marco, 617
Tel.: +39 0415204429
Nearest Train: Rialto linee 1 - 82 Actv
Accademia This small cinema is situated a few metres from the Gallerie dell'Academia. At a time when other cinemas have been converted into supermarkets or university departments, this one continues to shirk big-budget action movies in favour of top quality films.
Dorsoduro, 1019
Tel.: +39 0415287706
Nearest Train: Accademia linea 1 Actv
