Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Chille DE La Balanza

    4.3 (3 reviews)

    Chille DE La Balanza Photos

    Chille DE La Balanza Reviews in Other Languages

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    Opera at St Mark's - No photos allowed during performance, but opera fans will enjoy this show (25€ for operatic "love songs" show).

    Opera at St Mark's

    4.7(3 reviews)
    3.0 km•Palazzo Pitti

    Opera isn't for everyone. It feels like one of those interests developed out of thin air past the…read moreage of 50. The length (Wagner can exceed 5 hours) and the fact that it's in a language not your own can be off-putting. Italy, however, is the birthplace of opera. If you're going to take it in, why not in its place of origin? "Opera at St Mark's" has fence-sitters covered. The price (25euro) is reasonable, the length (under 2 hours) is manageable and, though the songs are in Italian, the somewhat silly between song narrative from the piano player/emcee is in English. The show I saw was not an opera, but rather famous "Italian Opera Love Songs" performed by 3 opera singers solo or in tandem with the others. The show moves quickly and, in such an intimate venue, each seat in the house is akin to having front row seats in an actual opera venue. I discovered "Opera at St Mark's" while walking a block from my lodging. The flyers in the front described it as "#1 on TripAdvisor since 2011", a claim my 23-year old son questioned. I don't want to say we're disbelievers but... we are. The discussion we held around this claim inspired so much laughter that we didn't dare check TripAdvisor to fact check. The great thing about "Opera at St Mark's" is the street cred you get from having attended. You can enjoy what I'd call a "taste of opera" while returning home reporting that you "saw opera in Italy". The show's stars are talented opera performers who donate their time to this venture which raises funds for some philanthropic cause. Prosecco can be purchased and enjoyed during intermission though the introduction to that Prosecco makes it sound as if it's being provided gratis. "Opera at St Mark's" is a great excuse to go to the Oltrarno district (literally, the other side of the Arno). It's an easy walk from the Ponte Vecchio and tickets can be purchased at the door. Though there were about 50 people (many students) in attendance the night I was there, there was still much available seating. You can attend an opera in Italy, visit opera museums, or the homes of famous opera composers. This is an easy, fun way to check that "Italian Opera" box off your list. It's casual and tailored to English-speaking audiences, features talented performers, and leaves you plenty of time pre or post show for drinks and dinner in the neighborhood. It might also be "#1 on TripAdvisor".

    I came across this gem when I was searching for night-time activities in Florence, Italy…read more Other places have given this opera performance extremely high praise and I thought "once in a lifetime" I have to at least try Italian Opera, despite being a total newbie, and basically knowing nothing of the subject, except for occasionally overhearing the Pavarotti & 4-tenors songs my late father used to love. Reservations were done over email and the organizer was very prompt in answering all my questions. This is a very small scale opera which only has a cast of less than 10, takes place in a small Anglican church, and whose proceeds go to charity to help African kids. Dress is casual. What is surprising is the high quality of the production - apparently they use local professionals who volunteer for these performances. The venue, being a church, has pretty good acoustics, and the place is small, cozy, and the performance is right in-your-face (in a good way). It is all geared towards english-speakers, so you do not need any knowledge of italian. After every quarter, the organizer Franz, will come to the stage and explain in plain english what just happened and give a vague idea of that will be happening in the next act. There are also paper english guides which give a brief synopsis of the story. The rainy weekday performance drew a crowd of about fifteen, although there were a number of no-shows too. Even then, a full crowd couldn't have numbered over 35. For such a small, almost personal performance, the low price was definitely worth it. I think if you are looking for something more unique and you want to learn about the local culture this is definitely a nice easy way to do so, and without all the stresses of figuring everything out in a foreign language. I highly recommend!

    Photos
    Opera at St Mark's
    Opera at St Mark's - Pianist/narrator addresses audience in English.  Opera and opera songs are in Italian.  Show is just under 2 hours.

    Pianist/narrator addresses audience in English. Opera and opera songs are in Italian. Show is just under 2 hours.

    Opera at St Mark's - Program for opera "love songs" performance.  A fun thing to do in Oltrarno, minutes from Ponte Vecchio on foot.

    See all

    Program for opera "love songs" performance. A fun thing to do in Oltrarno, minutes from Ponte Vecchio on foot.

    BrewDog - They have aperitivo (buffet) Tuesday's and Thursday's from 7-9pm for €8! (Includes one drink or beer) :) score!!

    BrewDog

    4.3(99 reviews)
    2.8 km•Santa Maria Novella
    •€

    My wife is a cocktail and wine person. I'd much rather have a beer any day of the week. So when we…read morewent to Florence, I checked out all the notable beer places on google and Alibi was the first one we went to (it's closest to the train station.) Well, they really set my expectations high for the rest of my list. Between us, we had about six different types of beer, each more delicious than the last. And we ordered food as well - her burrito was fine, if unexciting, but my cheeseburger with an egg on it was honestly the best burger I've had in a long time. The Italian cheese on it was phenomenal. We had to go back before we left cause it was just so good. The bartenders were friendly and helpful, and the bar itself was kinda cool and industrial, but you're going here for the beer and the food. You won't be disappointed.

    I'm a big fan of BrewDog and try to visit one of their pubs whenever I'm in a city that houses one…read more When in Florence, I couldn't pass up stopping by their Italian outpost for a welcome break from all that wine. Although there's nothing particularly 'Italian' about this bar - it has that BrewDog vibe which could have been plopped down from anywhere on the globe - it's a great, casual place to pop in for a pint. Although we didn't try the food, we did indulge in a few rounds. The beer is always fun and intriguing, as expected from the brewery. A worthy way to kick up your feet and while away some time.

    Photos
    BrewDog - Inside

    Inside

    BrewDog - Inside

    Inside

    BrewDog - They have aperitivo (buffet) Tuesday's and Thursday's from 7-9pm for €8! (Includes one drink or beer) :) score!!

    See all

    They have aperitivo (buffet) Tuesday's and Thursday's from 7-9pm for €8! (Includes one drink or beer) :) score!!

    Chille DE La Balanza - opera - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...