Excellent small performance - A very small audience (60?) and a small cast of 7 performers. Don't think Broadway performance, think private performance. The performers are talented with quality opera voices. I paid for the front seats and moved my feet a few times to give the performers room as they moved in front of me. No microphones, no sound system. Just quality voices and a good pianist. I would definitely recommend the experience.

My husband is now an Opera lover :) - A truly fantastic experience. Intimate, moving and brought me to tears! It was my second time attending! My husband is now an Opera lover :)

What an event: LaTraviata. In a Church. In Florence.. - Being in Florence for 6 days on my own and never having been to an opera in my life, I thought this could be the right time and the right place to finally make that first encounter. And what shall I say: It definately was a good decision. The singers we're amazing, the church had a very intimate and special vibe to it, the crowd was very well behaved and clapped on the right spots and Ilse and her husband did a very good job hosting the event and explaining the plot before each of the 4 acts. In case you're wondering: Casual clothing is completely appropriate. Yes-there will be a break after act 2. Yes-there are restrooms. I would definately suggest visiting this event-when do you get the chance to see a real opera singer just 2 m away in an old church?In Florence-the capital of culture in Toscany? Right...It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. Glad I didn't miss out on mine.

Look at you, Butterfly. - During the hot summer months, I watched plays in cool venues at night. It was close to the stage, you could see the detailed expressions of each performer up close, and there were scenes of exciting encounters, heart-wrenching scenes and things that were close to your heart even if you didn’t understand the language. Anyway, the level of the cast was high, and I watched Madame Butterfly, but I wasn't the only one who saw the audience sitting around me wiping away tears when Butterfly, played by a Japanese, sang. I was impressed. Florence has a Maggio Musicale theater, where of course you can see great operas, but this theater (which uses a church as a venue) is a small opera, but I am impressed that it is still unique to Italy to be able to produce such a high level of work. It made me want to go and see other plays if I had the chance.

A Wonderful Evening - We purchased VIP tickets, which ensure a seat in the front two rows. We ended up in the front row with our names already on the seats when we arrived. This was my third time at an opera performance at St. Marks, as I had come twice in years past with school groups. I enjoyed it immensely so wanted my family to share the experience now that I finally got to travel to Florence with them. The acoustics in the church are amazing. The performance is intimate and unique. The MC is funny and informative. He has been doing this since I came with students years ago. The pianist was perfect and the singers were great! All said it was a lovely evening, with thedoors opening at 8pm and the performance starting at 8:30. Water, prosecco and small snacks were available at the intermission. It was an evening my whole family will never forget and a memory they will cherish.

Wonderful evening - I took my 15 year old granddaughter to St. Marks’s to see La Traviata. It was the first time she had seen opera. It was a very intimate experience as we were right in front and close to the performers. It was a wonderful evening and I would recommend it.