_{OPERA PLACES} Martina Myskohlid takes us to Turin, Italy

City where you’re working?
Turin, Italy.

How long are you working on contract?
Until July 2026 (ensemble member).

What’s the opera house like?
I really love this theatre, operationally and physically. The lobby is lined in this gorgeous, regal red carpeting, mirrored walls and soft lighting (amazing for selfies and fit pics), and the theatre itself is a hardwood, dome-shaped space with 1,500 seats in that same red. Pure class. Also, there’s this incredible chandelier made up of 1,762 illuminated aluminum tubes (to be exact!) that create what they call a “stalactite” effect. Google it.

Where is the most peaceful place in the city?
In general, this is a quieter Italian city, so it’s pretty peaceful. Specifically, this one tree-stump next to the Po River where I enjoy walking with my pup, Lucy.

Best coffee or tea?
The best coffee is everywhere. I’m in Italy!!!!

Coolest bar or restaurant you’ve been to?
I could say Piano35 (literally on the 35th floor of a building) because I had a really special Michelin-star meal there in wonderful company, but I have to go with Cianci because it’s a traditional Piemontese restaurant that I adore and have been to multiple times… the antipasti (appetizers) are 5€, primi (pastas) are 7€ and secondi (rotating mains) are 8€. Oh, and desserts are 4€, wine is 6€ for half-litre carafe. Everything is local and fresh. Get the vitello tonnato, the plin and the ossobuco (if you’re lucky). You’re getting wine and a dessert, too. You’re in Italy.

An activity you have done that is unique to the area?
Biked through the Piemonte winery region with my family and Lucy.

Is there something unexpected that happens locally that you discovered?
Every single day except Sundays, over 1,000 vendors set up in the Porta Palazzo market to sell fresh fruits, vegetables, clothing, homeware, everything. It’s the largest open-air market in all of Europe, and the prices are unbeatable (like, 50¢ for a kilo of mandarins). Bonus: I watch it all from my bedroom window.

How did you find accommodation?
A few months before moving, I had visited Torino out of pure coincidence and stayed at an Airbnb. Once I found out I’d be moving here, I contacted the Airbnb owner and she helped me find a place. I signed a year lease without having seen the apartment in person because at the time, I was on contract somewhere else in the world. (It’s not an ideal way to rent an apartment, but a common occurrence among us opera singers.)

What’s the most important thing you think of when it comes to finding accommodation as a singer?
Proximity to the theatre and noise pollution. Time is money, sleep is non-negotiable.

Have you had a chance to explore some galleries or museums?
Yes, I adore castles and palaces, and so I love the Musei Reali. Its full of antiques and Great Rooms. Attached to it is a black marble church called the Sacra Sindone that houses the famous Shroud of Turin (though I’ve never seen it since it’s rarely on display and preserved in a very special shrine).

Is there anything else you’d recommend?
If you have a chance to live in Italy, even short-term, don’t hesitate. It sounds cheesy, but living here has shown me that performing high-level opera and living “la dolce vita” can, in fact, go hand-in-hand. Oh, and learn basic Italian before you arrive because rehearsals, emails, conversazioni, tutto è in italiano e non avrai altra scelta che imparare (you’ll have no choice but to learn)!!!