This guest blog post was written by Justin Angelo Patulli, an Italian-Canadian travel industry professional.

Throughout the ages, Italy has been a haven for the arts, by creating both homegrown talent and drawing in artists from abroad. The world of art is extremely vast, ranging from the visual arts to the performing arts, both of which have been harmoniously married for centuries in the Italian culture.

Art in the city of Venice

The city of Venice has long been one of the leading destinations in Italy for fostering the arts. One of the genres most identifiable with the Italian art scene is opera music, which has deep roots in Venice and its history.

Teatro La Fenice (or La Fenice Theatre Opera House, as it’s known in English) is regarded as one of the most renowned theatres in Italy. When one thinks of this magical city, they often think of certain landmarks like the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge and of course Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square), but no trip to Venice would be complete without a visit to La Fenice.

Fortunately, for those who are unable to make the trip to Venice and are reading this blog, you can still shop online at Venezia Maschere by La Gioia to pick up a piece of fine quality, handcrafted art that embodies the musical nature of this dreamy city. These one-of-a-kind masks are made by the best in the business and are sure to content your heart’s desire in the meantime.

Teatro la Fenice: art and music

Teatro La Fenice first opened its doors to spectators for its inaugural performance on 16 May 1792. The Italian word, “Fenice” translates into “Phoenix”, a mythical creature historically known to symbolize renewal or rebirth. At the time of its naming, no one would have guessed that this theatre would actually experience several rebirths of its own. It would eventually be destroyed by fire on two separate occasions; once in 1836 and then again in 1996. But as mythology has indicated, a Phoenix always rises up again from the ashes and that is exactly what Teatro La Fenice would do after both fires.

Throughout its history it has hosted many opera and classical music heavyweights. Today, it continues to host more than 100 opera performances annually, in addition to symphony orchestras, concerts and ballets.

Whether or not you’re a music fan, a trip to this iconic theatre is a must when visiting Venice. If you are an avid music fan, I would highly suggest purchasing a ticket to one of these events. On the other hand, if you’re not much of a music fan or your schedule simply doesn’t permit catching a show, you can take one of the theatre tours during the day for a small fee. The ornate architecture and design of La Fenice is sure to be appreciated by everyone who visits.

The art of making Venetian Masks

If you’re familiar with the world of opera, you’ll know that elaborate costumes are as much a part of the show as the musical element. So if you’re unable to travel to Venice, but want a piece of art that showcases how deeply ingrained music is to the Venetian culture, Venezia Maschere by La Gioia offers a wide assortment of masks made by their highly skilled artisans. If this is your first time shopping with the brand, it’ll quickly become apparent that the products’ quality is unmatched.

The artists of Venezia Maschere by La Gioia have decades of experience and work with the highest quality materials to bring their clients only the best, always respecting and preserving the ancient mask-making tradition.

Memorable gift from Venice

If you want to give the music lover in your life the perfect gift, there are a number of masks to choose from designed with a tasteful nod to the theme.

Regardless of what you purchase, it is sure to be appreciated by the recipient. They’re versatile and ageless, making them a great gift for any occasion, whether it’s a a birthday, anniversary, graduation, housewarming gift or even something as simple as a music recital. The options are endless!

If you haven’t shopped around the website yet and don’t know where to start, not to worry! I’ve listed a few of my musical mask recommendations at the end of this post. Each mask is handcrafted in Venice and comes with a “100% Made in Italy” Certification, meaning that your purchase is both authentic and of the best quality. This is a certification obtained only by brands that abide by the most rigorous standards set out by the Government of Italy. For example, only non-toxic paints and glues are used on the masks, ensuring that your purchase is both safe for your health and environmentally friendly.

So if you’re planning to give a memorable gift, or maybe you’re planning your own trip to Venice and will be stopping by Teatro La Fenice, be sure to get your one-of-a-kind mask today! You won’t be disappointed!

Which masks embody the essence of Venetian musical culture?