Rome Feature

What could epitomize a Roman evening more than a moonlight serenade? Following the outdoor exodus of the city's pubs, restaurants, and discos, opera heads outside for its summer season. Rome's many opera companies commandeer church courtyards, ancient villas, and soccer campi (fields) with performances that range from mom-and-poperas to full-scale, large-budget extravaganzas. Quality is generally quite high, even for smaller, low-budget productions. Tickets cost EUR 15 to EUR 40. To find these productions, listen closely or look for the old-fashioned posters advertising classic operas like Tosca and La Traviata. The weekly roma c'e, the monthly Wanted in Rome, and the Web site www.inromenow.com also have complete lists of performances.