Rome’s Concert Venues – The Hidden Gems

Mar 23, 2012 No Comments by Chris Stacey

Chris Stacey provides an insight into two performance venue “gems” in Rome!

The purpose of my recent trip was to confirm venues for groups travelling with us later this year, meet with hoteliers, and enhance our range of visits available in Rome.

During my visit I discovered so much more; you cannot fail to be overcome by the stunning nature of all the churches in Rome…yes there is the un-disputed grandeur of St Peters which will never cease to amaze, but along my journey I also discovered two stunning venues that caught my eye in very different ways – Sant’Agnese in Agone Church and San Silvestro in Capite Church.

San Silvestro in Capite Church

I started on foot from the Trevi fountain and five minutes later I found myself in the surroundings of a newly developed square. With seating areas in all four corners and the church a pivotal feature to all around me, I knew instantly that I was in an area perfect for performers.

Upon my arrival I was greeted by the priest and the musical director of the local Italian chamber choir – who had co-incidentally just moved her choir to regularly rehearse and perform here.

The façade of the church was extremely impressive and as we continued to enter its walls we found ourselves in a beautiful open air terracotta courtyard – quite intimate and really very pretty – I could instantly envisage a choir or jazz orchestra performing in this area, with an ever changing audience surrounding them.

As I entered the central area it reminded me that the churches in Rome will always continue to amaze me.

…and that was my first gem…a definite for my group’s itinerary!

San Silvestro Photo Gallery

I could already see that this was a venue that was well loved by both the locals as well as tourists.

Sant’Agnese in Agone Church

Situated on the bustling Piazza Navona, a stones throw away from the Pantheon, the church enjoys a privileged position in an area with a naturally high footfall. Everything around me was moving fast, before I even entered its walls I could already see that this was a venue that was well loved by both the locals as well as tourists; people are frequently seen entering the building.

It’s nearly lunchtime, and I can already tell that is a church which will most definitely suit the requirement of my groups for a lunchtime recital to be included in their itinerary.

Again, marble floors, stunning architecture right in the centre of town, my breath was taken away…I had found my second “gem!”