For centuries a center of culture, Venice has a rich heritage in the performing arts, as you’ll explore on this excursion. Transfer from the yacht by private launch to Saint Mark’s Square. From there you’ll walk to the Teatro La Fenice, which first opened in 1792 and was renowned throughout Europe in the 19th century for staging operas by the best composers of the day. Although it has burned down at least three times, most recently in 1996, Venice’s beloved opera house has been restored to its 19th-century grandeur. Your guide will take you around interior, sharing the history of the building and the great singers and conductors who have performed there. From La Fenice, it’s another short walk to a workshop that crafts Venice’s famous masks by hand and is a leading supplier to shops as well as stage, TV and film productions. Learn about the origins and meanings of various masks, from those associated with Carnival to the ones representing the iconic characters of Comedia dell’Arte. A master artisan demonstrates the traditional techniques of molding papier-mache into distinctive forms. After the workshop visit, enjoy some free time to explore on your own or relax in a café before rejoining your escort to return to the yacht.
Go behind the scenes at Teatro La Fenice and an artisan’s workshop for an introduction to two grand Venetian traditions.