A music itinerary in Parma

Parma is the city of art and good food, but it's also a city of music and theatre. This passion is something that goes beyond the simple pairing Parma-Giuseppe Verdi, because it is visible in the variety of events and buildings dedicated to music: the Auditorium Paganini, the House of Music, the Birthplace and museum Arturo Toscanini, the House of Sound and last but not least the Regio theatre, a structure that Maria Luigia wanted and opened in 1829, remaining one of the most renowned theatres in the world. 

If you're willing to dedicate your visit of Parma to the music, we suggest to start right at the Regio theatre, which towers the pedestrian part of Strada Garibaldi, painted in Yellow Parma, it's still the place to attend opera, concerts, ballet performances and other events of contemporary music. The tour, available according to the rehearsals and settings calendar, will amaze you with its anecdotes and curiosities. For information www.teatroregioparma.it

In the beautiful Piazzale San Francesco, not far from Piazza Duomo, you'll be welcome by Giuseppe Verdi in bronze version, seated on a bench and always available to pose for a selfie. Behind him, there is Cusani palace with the House of Music, that hosts the museum L’opera in scena, dedicated to the music on stage in Parma. The palace is also the "refuge" of the Club dei 27, the 27 Verdi operas in flesh and bones whose purpose is to divulgate Giuseppe Verdi's works to the young generations and to everyone.

Almost in front of the square there is the deconsecrated church of Santa Elisabetta, that is now the House of Sound, a rich collection of instruments for communication and sound reproduction, from the phonograph to mp3, represented by the collection of don Giovanni Patanè, that includes over 400 items among phonograph and radios of every kind. www.lacasadellamusica.it

Nearby the Ducal park, right in the old and "working-class" district called Oltretorrente, lies the Birthplace of Arturo Toscanini, transformed in museum in 1967 on the 100th anniversary of his birth. The exhibition follows a memory tour along the carreer of the great orchestra director. www.museotoscanini.it

Parma is also the place where is buried the amazing composer and violin player Nicolò Paganini, a true rockstar of his time, a bit doomed and really gifted one, born in Genova but resident for a long time in the Parma area, between his tours legs. An auditorium designed by Renzo Piano, located in the ex Eridania park, is dedicated to Paganini. It is and old sugar factory (Eridania), that the famous architect renovated, where are held many events and concerts seasons, espacially the ones by the Arturo Toscanini Foundation www.fondazionetoscanini.it You may also pay a tribute to the great artist at his grave, located in the Monumental cemetery of Villetta. 

Parma city of music boasts also an excellent Conservatory, dedicated to Arrigo Boito that. All along the year, the school proposes music performances of its students and teachers, with free entrance, at the beautiful Auditorium del Carmine, built upon a former church. For information www.conservatorio.pr.it