The Teatro Amilcare Ponchielli is Cremona's opera house, a handsome 19th-century auditorium with good acoustics and a capacity of around 800. The current building was substantially renovated and enlarged in the late 19th century; the interior has a classic tiered horseshoe plan in red and gold, with good sight lines from most seats.
The theatre has a regular opera season from autumn to spring, usually including four or five productions per year, as well as concerts, ballet, and occasional special events. The programme tends toward the Italian repertoire — Verdi and Puccini feature prominently — though the house is ambitious above its size. Tickets are considerably cheaper than at La Scala in Milan and the house is worth visiting for a performance if you happen to be in Cremona during the season.