#imagineeeeeee

Spoilers for the book of bill

100% good for her

Now since I’m a geek, let me rant about some ancient history and… 🥁 🥁 mythology! It never happens that international artists come to the South. This is huuuuuge for me and I am very proud (I don’t live in Sicily, I’m the friendly neighbour i guess, but I love it!).

Anyway.

The building dates back to III century b.C. Presumably the theater is of Hellenistic origin, as suggested by some stone blocks from Taormina and the inscriptions in Greek on some steps with the name of Philistis, wife of Hieron II and probable commissioner of the building, preserved in the western versure.

It was rebuild by the Emperor Augustus in the II a.C. and they used it for venationes, spectacles including gladiators fights against ferocious beasts. It was partially destroyed by the Vandals and later abandoned after the end of the roman empire.

The Theater has once again become a true protagonist with the romantic rediscovery linked to the Grand Tour. Starting from the XVII century, Taormina and above all its theater represent a must for every traveler who is passionate about history and culture. In 1978, Goethe visited the theatre and wrote a cute rec in one of his letters, describing the Theatre sublime for the decadency and the breathtaking view.

The viewpoints that the theater offers allow you to admire Etna Volcano and the bay of Naxos and Taormina to the south or the Calabrian coast with the Strait of Messina to the north. A spectacular natural setting. The scene partly retains its original form, thanks to a controversial nineteenth-century restoration. Two large side rooms (versurae) closed the stage and the stalls. Consisting of the steps, the auditorium has a diameter of 109 meters. It is subdivided into nine sectors or "wedges" by eight ladders and could hold at least 10,000 spectators (today 4,500).

Don’t let me even mention the acoustic. It’s gonna be sick, I promise you. These buildings were purposely built for theatrical acts. The actors used to speak without microphones and stereos. The geometry of the theatre allow the perfect resonance for the voices and instruments.