IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Chiostro del Bramante, via della Pace. Info 0668809036
Until 5 Mar: Zandomeneghi. Un veneziano tra gli impressionisti (Zandomeneghi. A Venetian among the Impressionists)
An anthology dedicated to one of the "trois Italiens de Paris (three Italians in Paris)", namely Zandomenghi, who was more rooted in the Impressionist scene in Paris than fellow Italians De Nittis and Boldini. This is a rich exhibition with paintings, pastels, drawings and sketches bearing witness to the entire compositional process and reproducing the worldly atmospheres of the City of Lights, daily and family life, women surrounded by their accessories (hats, gloves, fans), as well as still-lifes and nudes. Tue-fri h10-20, sat h10-24, sun h10-21,30. €9, reduced €7

Palazzo Altemps, piazza Sant’Apollinare, 48. Info 0639967700
Until 18 Apr: I colori del fasto. La domus del Gianicolo e i suoi marmi (The splendid colours and marbles of the domus on the Janiculum hill)
For the first time ever some of the archaeological finds from the Imperial Domus that was discovered and excavated on the Janiculum Hill (when an access ramp to an underground parking was built in the run-up to the Jubilee celebrations in 2000) are on display. According to ancient sources, the private residences of the imperial family, and in particular, Agrippina the Elder's (14 BC - 33 AD) extensive gardens complex, were located in this area.

Chiostro del Bramante, via della Pace. Info 0668809036
From 15 Mar to 11 Jun: Giulio Aristide Sartorio
107 oils and temperas, 38 charcoals and other drawings, 9 draft plans for large-scale works, 40 photos (that have never seen before) by the painter and a film, "Il Mistero di Galatea" (The mystery of Galatea) shot by the artist, form the nucleus of this retrospective dedicated to Giulio Aristide Sartorio. The exhibition looks back at the career and pictorial evolution of this artist.

Complesso del Vittoriano, via di San Pietro in Carcere. Info 066780664
Until 20 Jun: Modigliani
Drawings, oil paintings and watercolours by the great Modigliani will go on show in Rome. This Tuscan painter from Livorno lived out his brief but intense and passionate career between Montmartre and Montparnasse in Paris and died aged only 36. This retrospective offers us a view of the artist's development and shows us his chronological evolution. He was enamoured of portraits and did them of friends and, above all, of women. Many of these fell in love with him after he represented them on canvas with sensual soft lines and that emblematic long and refined neck. €9, reduced €6,50

Scuderie del Quirinale, via XXIV Maggio. Info 06696270
From 18 Mar to 25 Jun: Antonello da Messina
An exhibition that aims to do justice to the vast output of a 15th century artist who is simply not well known enough. Antonello da Messina started his career in the small workshop owned by his family and then arrived in Venice. On show are Madonnas, portraits, crucifixions and the famous 'San Girolamo in his study' lent by museums in London, Washington, New York, Paris, Vienna, Dresden and Antwerp. Sun-thu h10-20; fri-sat h10-22,30. €10, reduced €7,50

Colosseo, piazza del Colosseo. Info 0639967700
Until 20 Aug: Musa pensosa. L'immagine dell'intellettuale nell'antichità (The thinking muse. The intellectual in antiquity)
The muses are a source of inspiration and creative fount in every field of knowledge, from music to poetry, from philosophy to art. In Greek mythology they are imagined as the beautiful daughters of Zeus: Calliope, Erato, Terpsichore, Clio, Thalia, Urania… They will be brought to life in the Amphitheatre of Flavius, which will exhibit bas-reliefs, frescoes, mosaics, statues, portraits and marble sarcophaguses. €4. h8,30-17 (until 15 Mar); h8,30-17,30 (from 16 to 25 Mar); h8,30-19,15 (from 26 Mar to 20 Aug)

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Archivio di Stato di Roma - Palazzo della Sapienza, corso Rinascimento, 40. Info 0668190838
Until 11 Mar: Giuseppe Mazzini cittadino d'Europa (Giuseppe Mazzini, a citizen of Europe)
The great patriot of 200 years ago Giuseppe Mazzini is examined both as a man and for what he stood for. Documents look back at the biographical journey made by Mazzini, highlighting the importance of his political commitment that was European in scope. Mon-fri h9,30-17; sat h9,30-12

Palazzo del Quirinale, Sala delle Bandiere. Piazza del Quirinale
Until 15 Mar: Tesori della Bulgaria. Dal Neolitico al Medioevo (Treasures from Bulgaria. From the Neolithic period to the Middle Ages)
A retrospective on the history of Bulgaria seen through a series of ancient treasures that were unearthed during archaeological excavations in 2004 and 2005. On show are the gold funeral mask found at the Svetitsa mound near the village of Shipka, the golden wreath of laurels, finely crafted silver rhytons (or drinking vessels) and many golden and silver pieces of armour found between the villages of Zlatinitsa and Malomirovo, and the bronze head unearthed at the Golyamata Kosmatka tomb. Mon-sat h9-13,30 and h15,30-19; sun h8,30-12. Free entrance

Musei Capitolini, piazza del Campidoglio, 1. Info 0682059127
Until 19 Mar: Acquisti e doni nei musei comunali 1997-2005 (Purchases and gifts to the municipal museums 1997-2005)
An extremely varied exhibition that displays works in different styles and from different periods that are part of complete and fragmented collections. The capital's immense artistic heritage is unique compared to other Italian cities. Tue-sun h9-20. €8, reduced €6

Casa di Goethe, via del Corso, 18. Info 0632650412
Until 19 Mar: Heinrich e Thomas Mann in Italia (Heinrich and Thomas Mann in Italy)
This exhibition explores the lives and work of the two Mann brothers and their numerous stays in Italy in places like Rome, Naples, Salerno, Capua, Ravello and, above all, Palestrina. Above all, the show wants to shed some light on the complex interaction between Thomas and Heinrich, and on their relations with Italians and with Italy, the birth place - and certainly the inspiration - of many of their works. Tue-sun h10-18. €3, reduced €2

Museo di Roma Palazzo Braschi, piazza San Pantaleo, 1. Info 0667108346
Until 26 Mar: Costantinopoli nel XIX secolo. Fotografie del fondo Silvio Negro (Constantinople in the 19th century. Photographs from the Silvio Negro Fund)
This series of ancient albumin prints from the Silvio Negro collection show us Constantinople at the end of the 1800s. They show the city's monuments, the shores of the Bosphorus and Golden Horn, the bazaars and the mosques, but above all, they convey a touching and strikingly authentic atmosphere. Tue-sun h9-19. €6,50, reduced €3

Palazzo Venezia, sala degli Altoviti. Via del Plebiscito, 118. Info 06699941
Until 26 Mar: Pictore de aqua et de Venezia
The "Canal Grande visto da Palazzo Balbi" (Grand Canal as sees from Palazzo Balbi) is an oil-painting found by the Financial Police in a Milan workshop in the 1990s. The curators of two exhibitions dedicated to the work in Madrid and Barcelona have attributed it to Giovanna Antonio Canal, known as "Il Canaletto". According to the Rome exhibition curators, the canvas, that depicts the section of Venice's Grand Canal between Palazzo Balbi and the Rialto Bridge is, on the other hand, the work of the artist's workshop and pupils. In their opinion it lacks the unmistakable lightness and deftness of touch of Canaletto's creations. Tue-sun h8,30-19. €4

Casa dei Teatri - Villino Corsini, Largo 3 giugno 1849, angolo via di San Pancrazio (ingr. Arco dei Quattro Venti). Info 0645440707
Until 26 Mar: Tadeus Kantor - Wielopole Wielopole: dall'atelier allo spettacolo (Tadeusz Kantor - Wielopole, Wielopole: from atelier to performance)
All the documents concerning 'Wielopole Wielopole', an exercise in theatre created in Florence in 1980 and in which Kantor was director, as well as scenic designer and writer, are displayed. One of the sections of the exhibition is dedicated to Wielopole Skrzynskie, the birth town of the director, a place of cultural cohabitation between Catholics and Jews. Other meetings and film-screenings are included in the programme in order to try and illuminate who exactly this artistic and nomadic figure was. Tue-sun h10-17. Free entrance

Accademia di Francia Villa Medici, viale Trinità dei Monti, 1. Info 066761291
Until 2 Apr: Damiani, de Nobili, Tosi - Scene e costumi. Tre grandi artisti del XX secolo (Damiani, de Nobili, Tosi - Set design and costumes. Three great 20th century artists)
An exhibition dedicated to Luciano Damiani, Lila de Nobili and Piero Tosi - three major Italian theatre artists of the 20th century - and whose aim is to do justice to the creations of this artistic form that is too often marginalised, namely the art of set design. De Nobili is considered the last great representative of painted canvases on stage, Tosi has distinguished himself for his refined work on fabrics and with colour, while Damiani is the first set designer to have been recognised after many battles fought for copyright. Tue-sun h11-19. €8, reduced €4,50

Museo di Roma in Trastevere, piazza Sant'Egidio, 1b. Info 0682059127
Until 2 Apr: Roma in nera. I grandi delitti tra cronaca, storia, costume (Roma in nera. The great crimes of modern Italian history)
An exhibition that examines the most significant crimes and murder cases in Italy from the 1940s to the 1990s. It looks back at cases in national history that have remained open and unsolved, as well as at crimes that remain forever engraved in the collective imaginary, such as the Graziosi case or the Olgiata murder. Tue-sun h10-20. €4,50, reduced €3

Montecitorio, Sala della Regina. Ingresso da piazza del Parlamento, 25. Info 0667606996
Until 8 Apr: La rinascita del Parlamento. Dalla Liberazione alla Costituzione (The rebirth of the Italian Parliament. From the Liberation to the Constitution)
This exhibition celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Constituent Assembly. In the very rooms where the Assembly met, a series of documents, original film footage and audio recordings show the historic events of the period and tell of the deliberations that led to the drafting of the Constitution after the Liberation and the elections of 2 June 1946. Mon-sat h10-19. Admission free

Accademia di Francia Villa Medici, Atelier del Bosco. Viale Trinità dei Monti, 1. Info 0667611
From 22 Mar to 21 Apr: Entra! I disegni di Enzo Cucchi (Come in! The drawings of Enzo Cucchi)
An installation created by the Atelier del Bosco, it comprises two large works by acclaimed painter and sculptor of the Italian transavanguard movement Enzo Cucchi, and an extensive series of drawings of smaller sizes by the artist. Entering the 'Atelier' signifies entering the mindset of the artist through his drawings that are exhibited diagonally and appear to be floating in space. Tue-sun h11-19. €4,5

MAXXI, Via G. Reni, 6. Info 063210181
Until 30 Apr: Carlo Mollino. Mollino Fragments
On the centenary of his birth the spotlight is on the figure and many personalities of Carlo Mollino, an eclectic, histrionic and unstoppable individual who was always evolving. The multi-faceted architect is commemorated in this exhibition that is laid out in five container structures according to a winding route in perfect Mollini-like style. Photos, videos and drawings make up the exhibition. Tue-sun h11-19. Free entrance

GNAM Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna, viale delle Belle Arti, 131. Info 06322981
Until 1 May: Gli ambienti del Gruppo T. Le origini dell'arte interattiva (Gruppo T and its spaces. The origins of interactive art)
The artists that make up "Gruppo T" (founded in Milan at the end of the 1950s) recreate special environments within which visitors interact with creations through each of their five senses. The exhibition is composed of about thirty works, among which "Spazio + linee luce + spettatori", "Strutturazione a parametri virtuali", cinematic objects, didactic materials and various different environments. Immerse yourself in an absolutely alternative artistic universe. Tue-sun h9,30-19. €9, reduced €6,50

Museo di Roma Palazzo Braschi, piazza San Pantaleo. Info 0682077304
Until 2 May: Ippolito Caffi. Luci del Mediterraneo (Lights of the Mediterranean)
One of the most unique and fascinating Italian painters of the 19th Century, Ippolito Caffi - a strong and restless personality, and adventurous spirit, a convinced patriot and fascinating romantic figure - is the protagonist of one of the most important exhibitions in Italy this Spring. A tireless traveller, Caffi created works that allow spectators to admire the most important Italian and European cities and immerse themselves in the Eastern atmospheres of the late 1800s through views of Athens, Jerusalem, Constantinople, Cairo, and many other cities.. Tue-sun h9-19. €6,20, reduced €3,10 www

MACRO, via Reggio Emilia, 54. Info 06671070400
Until 7 May: Erlich and Dessì
Dessì is one of the more notable figures of contemporary abstractionism. His creations blend luminous effects and the use of strong substances and materials such as bitumen and tar. They also play with colour in such a way as to create symbols that must be decoded in order to encode reality according to a new perspective. Erlich has created a series of very striking installations for MACRO, such as the piece called 'Doors', made up of a sequence of four rooms. The rooms are dark but the light that one can see under the door of each one gives the illusion of lighting and illumination. Another piece called 'Batiment' was shown at the Nuit Blanche event in Paris in 2004 and gives onlookers the impression of climbing up a building. Tue-sat h9-19; sun h9-14. €1

Complesso del Vittoriano, Ala Brasini. Via San Pietro in Carcere. Info 066793598
Until 7 May: Vito Lombardi. La Linea del Piave nei disegni del 1918
200 drawings created by the painter-soldier Vito Lombardi after the armistice of 3 November 1918 are on show. Drawings made with charcoal, ink and pens interpret the Piave front that was about to be dismantled: different drawings that speak volumes about the aftermath of war, showing us the scars of its devastation. h9,30-17,30. Admission free

MACRO, via Reggio Emilia, 54. Info 06671070400
Until 31 May: Erwin Wurm
Ervin Wurm is all about conceptual art that is ironic, dynamic, soft and textured at the same time: sculptures that move, 'plump' forms halfway between inspiration and the finished form, the creations of the artist who merges techniques and barriers that traditionally are a mix between photography, video and performances or events. Wurm's inspiration comes from everyday objects such as bicycles, brooms, vegetables, balls and chairs. Mar-sab h9-19; dom h9-14. €1

Museo Napoleonico, piazza di Ponte Umberto I, 1. Info 0668806286
Until 4 Jun: Austerlitz al Museo Napoleonico. La battaglia in una stanza (Austerlitz at the Napoleonic Museum. The battle in one room)
An exhibition made up of thirty panels that narrate the Bonaparte years 1829-1830. The so-called "battle of the Three Emperors” finds form and image in a panoramic papier-peint that is being shown to the public for the first time.

Istituto Nazionale per la Grafica - Palazzo della Fontana di Trevi. Via Poli, 54.
From 30 Mar to 11 Jun: L'artista e il suo atelier. Una raccolta di 3128 disegni all'Istituto Nazionale per la Grafica (The artist and his studio. A collection of 3,128 drawings at the National Institute for Graphic Arts)
About a hundred drawings dating from between the Renaissance and last century have been selected from the over 3,000 drawings owned by Milanese family Osio and bought by the Institute. This exhibition of drawings offers an overview of the different Italian schools of graphic arts, from the Lombard, Veneto and Emilia Romagna schools to the Tuscan, Roman and Neapolitan schools. €5, reduced €3

CONCERT SEASON 2005/06: Opera di Roma - Acc. di Santa Cecilia - Acc. Filarmonica Romana - Istituzione Universitaria dei Concerti - Roma Sinfonietta - Amici della Musica Sacra - Il Tempietto - Orchestra di Roma e del Lazio - Fondazione Arts Academy

Auditorium Parco della Musica, Sala Sinopoli. Viale P. de Coubertin. Info 0680241281
4 Mar: Ruggero Raimondi, Leone Magiera. Concerto di gala in favore dei bambini down (Ruggero Raimondi and Leone Magiera. Gala concert in favour of Down Syndrome children)
An artist of international fame, Raimondi has sung in London, New York and Salzburg. In Italy he has performed at Venice's La Fenice, the Regio of Turin and the Scala in Milan. An eclectic performer who has also appeared on TV and on the big screen, he boasts collaborations with protagonists from the international opera scene, from Abbado to Muti and Chailly. With the participation of the mezzo-soprano, Paola Gardina, and the soprano, Sandra Pastrana. h21. From €75 to €20 Associazione Italiana Persone Down
10 Mar: Lang Lang
13 Mar: Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Paul McCreesh
17 Mar: Andràs Schiff
18-21 Mar: Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Antonio Pappano
22 Mar: Maurizio Pollini, Alain Damiens
25 Mar: Ensemble Abendmusik, John Finney "Sant'Ignazio"
27-28 Mar: Orchestra e Coro dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Fabio Luisi
31 Mar: Leif Ove Andsnes

Teatro dell'Opera, piazza B. Gigli. Info 0648160255
From 1 to 5 Mar: Giselle
Ballet in two acts based on the story by Théophile Gautier and Vernoy de Saint-Georges. Music by Adolphe-Charles Adam. Orchestra and Corps de Ballet of the Teatro dell'Opera. Cast: Giselle - Laura Comi / Svetlana Lunkina /Anjella Kouznetsova; Prince Albrecht - Roberto Bolle / Mario Marozzi / Yuri Vyskubenko. Choreography by Jean Coralli, Jules Perrot, Marius Petipa, Anton Dolin. Scenery and costumes by Anna Anni. By Carla Fracci.Wed 1 Mar, thu 2 Mar and fri 3 Mar h20,30; sat 4 Mar h18; sun 5 Mar h16,30
From 23 to 30 Mar: Maria Stuarda (Mary Stuart)
An operatic tragedy in three acts taken from the tragedy of the same name by F. Schiller. Libretto by Giuseppe Bardari, music by Gaetano Donizetti. Cast and performers: Elisabetta - Marianna Pentcheva / Enkelejda Shkosa; Maria Stuarda: Mariella Devia / Maria Carola; Roberto: Claudio Di Segni / Roberto Costi; Talbot: Enrico Turco; Cecil: Dario Solari; Anna: Esther Andaloro. Concert master and conductor: Riccardo Frizza. Stage production: Italo Grassi. Direction by Francesco Esposito. Thu 23 Mar h20,30; sat 25 Mar h18; sun 26 Mar h16,30; tue 28 Mar and thu 30 Mar h20,30

Teatro Nazionale, via del Viminale. Info 06481601
2-4 Mar: Serata dedicata a Dmitri Shostakovic. Vivo nel fuoco
A monologue inspired by the texts of Marina Cvetaeva and directed by Silvana De Vidovich. Performed by Lina Sastri and the contralto Elena Zaremba. Choreography by Gillian Whittingham; scenery and costumes by Maria Filippi. Thu 2 and fri 3 Mar h20,30; sat 4 Mar h18. €20

Chiesa di San Paolo entro le Mura, via Nazionale (angolo via Napoli)
Until 2 Apr: XII Stagione Organistica Internazionale (h18,30. Ingresso gratuito)

Chiesa di Sant'Antonio dei Portoghesi, via dei Portoghesi, 2 (zona piazza Navona). Info 0668135763
Until 1° Jul: I concerti dell'Accademia Ottoboni. Musiche del XVII e XVIII secolo su strumenti d'epoca The Accademia Ottoboni concerts. 17th and 18th century music on period instruments)
Sat 29 Apr: "Stile e Contaminazione" - Musical journey into the European Baroque
Sat 20 May: "Contemplazione" - J. S. Bach (1685-1750). Musical offerings: Triosonata BWV 1079; suite n. 2 in B minor for flute and strings BWV1005; triple concert for violin, flute and harpsichord BWV 1044.
Sat 1° Jul: "La Regina ed il Cardinale ovvero della Rivoluzione Romana" - La Regina: music by A. Lonati and A. Stradella; ...ed il Cardinale: music by A. Corelli and G. F. Haendel. h21. Admission free www

THEATRE SEASON 2005/06: Theatres Ambra Jovinelli e Piccolo Jovinelli - Argentina - Brancaccio - Dei Satiri - Della Cometa - Del Lido - Due - Eliseo e Piccolo Eliseo - Furio Camillo - Ghione - Manzoni - Olimpico - Palladium - Parioli - Quirino - Sala Umberto - Sistina - Valle - Vittoria

Teatro Sistina, via Sistina, 129. Info 064200711
From 14 Mar to 9 Apr: Alessandro Preziosi in Datemi tre caravelle
An extravagant musical comedy by Carmelo Pennisi and Massimiliano Durante. The music is by Stefano Di Battista and is made-to-measure for one of those Italian actors that are riding the popularity wave thanks to his fame as a TV actor, namely, Alessandro Preziosi. In this comedy Preziosi is Cristopher Colombus, and brings on to the stage his ambitious dream, his personal life, and the sailing boats that formed his fleet. Directed by Gianni Quaranta. Tue-sat h21, sun h17. From €20,90 to €44

Teatro Valle, via del Teatro Valle, 21. Info 0668803794
From 10 to 12 Mar: Les Etourdis
Les Etourdis are "the scatterbrains" born from the creative genius of Deschamps - great observers of the pettiness that make up daily relations. They are people prone to chaos, who are vulnerable and whose bodies escape their control. They are little robots, victims of their bosses, who are immersed in music made up of bells, trumpets, ukuleles and accordions.

Teatro Vittoria, piazza Santa Maria Liberatrice, 10. Info 065740170
From 8 Mar to 2 Apr: Marisa Laurito, Fioretta Mari, Fiordaliso and Crystal White in Menopause the musical
One of the most significant moments in a woman’s life – the menopause – is explored here with irony and imagination, and even set to music. The menopause in this production has the face of four women who lead different lives but often bicker about the same things and discover that they are all going through the same experience made up moments of discomfort, hot flushes and yearnings for chocolate. This show delves beyond common clichés and examines a very important and delicate moment in a woman’s existence, attempting to uncover its very essence. Choreography by Patty Bender. Directed by Manuela Metri. www

Teatro Olimpico, piazza Gentile da Fabriano, 17. Info 063265991
Until 5 Mar: Momix Dance Theatre in Sun Flower Moon
The Italian step of Moses Pendleton's Momix Dance Theatre Tour. A surprising spectacle inspired by the themes of the sun, flowers and the moon. Every Momix show plays with shapes that make people reflect on the uncertain confines between the animated world and that of geometric figures. The dancers create extraordinary and impressive drawings and animated characters. Tue, wed, fri, sat h21; sun h17 and h21
From 14 Mar to 13 Apr: C'era una volta... scugnizzi
A sparkling musical laden with Neapolitan vitality and energy in which young people put on a musical (within the musical) while serving a sentence in a correctional centre for minors. With Neapolitan classics such as "A città 'e Pulcinella", "Scètate scè", "Perzone perzone", "Ajére" and "Parlanno parlanno" in the background the audience witnesses how a group of former inmates and friends lose sight of one another once they are out of prison. Even the paths of the two main protagonists will separate; Saverio will become a priest and Raffaele a mafia boss. Tue, wed, fri, sat h21; sun h17 and h21

Teatro Brancaccio, via Merulana, 244. Info 0647824893
Until 12 Mar: Concha Bonita
A concert that ranges from rock to tango in style, from melodrama to rumba, from zarzuela to mambo, and a story that is half fable and half comedy. Directed by Alfredo Arias.
From 17 Mar to 30 Apr: Enzo Iacchetti e Gianluca Guidi in The Producers
Saverio Marconi directs a musical theatre production that is enjoying planetary success at the moment, and that has been on stage on Broadway for the last five years. "The Producers", adapted from the 1968 film of the same name, will star Iacchetti and Guidi, two veterans of the stage. Tue-fri h21; sat h17,30 and h21; sun h17,30. From €15 to €44

Teatro della Cometa, via del Teatro Marcello, 4. Info 066784380
Until 7 May: LET. Liberi Esperimenti Teatrali (Free theatrical experiments)
LET Liberi Esperimenti Teatrali transforms the Cometa Off venue into a small artistic village for writers, actors, directors, both established and on the way up, who wish to bring the public into direct contact with the theatre. Fifty different appointments: in the early evening performances will be held, in the second half of the evening monologues, performances, readings, music, film-screenings and dance.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Partenza dal Palalottomatica, piazzale dello Sport (Metro B Eur Fermi)
5 Mar: XXXII Half-Marathon Roma-Ostia
The 4th Italian Entrepreneurs' Half-Marathon Championship will take place as part of this initiative www

Partenza da via dei Fori Imperiali. Info 064065064/79
26 Mar: Rome Marathon
A 42km route through the symbolic sites of the city, with the participation of international athletes. On the same day, a few minutes later and also on the Via dei Fori Imperiali, the more accessible Stracittadina, a 5km route open to everyone www

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Stadio Olimpico, via del Foro Italico
Until 14 May: Football championships. The challenge Lazio - Roma
In march: sun 5 Lazio - Chievo; sun 12 Roma - Ascoli; sun 19 Lazio - Inter; sun 26 Roma - Juventus. Great excitement is to be had in the company of the Roma and Lazio teams. The complete calendar

Stadio Flaminio, piazzale dello stadio Flaminio
Until 18 Mar: Rugby - The Six Nations Tournament www
Europe's premier international rugby tournament sees the French, Welsh, English, Irish, Italian and Scottish teams compete against one other. The Flaminio stadium will host the matches between Italy and England and Italy and Scotland.

Palalottomatica, piazzale dello Sport (metro B Eur Fermi). Info 0636002439
Until 14 May: Basketball championships
The Palalottomatica venue in Rome will light up with the fervour of great basketball, one of the most popular sports on the Italian peninsula. The Italian teams, and in particular Rome's 'Virtus Roma' team, will be contending for the Top Division Tim Trophy. The basketball meets of the 2005/06 season will provide an unforgettable sporting experience. In march: sun 5 Lottomatica Roma - Benetton Treviso, sun 19 Lottomatica Roma - Viola Reggio Calabria. The complete calendar

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Polo Civico del Tintoretto, via Ballarin, 102
4-5 Mar: GiocaRoma 2006. Labirinti, Specchi e Dimensioni. La nuova manifestazione ludica romana! (GiocaRoma 2006. Labyrinths, mirrors and perspective. The new Roman games event!)
A huge space of over 1,000 sqm is dedicated to a world made up of games: board games, card games, role playing and more take place against a backdrop that is inspired by Escher's visionary works. The event includes tournaments of miniature games like Heroclix and MechWarrior, an interactive seminar on theatricality in role playing in which actor Vania Castelfranchi will take part, and tournaments of non-collectable card games and the "Settlers of Catan" board game. Other games to feature in the event are three-dimensional war-games, historic and esoteric games and 'Wings of War', dedicated to the airplane collisions of WWI. Admission free www

Università Romane. Info 060606
21-22 Mar: Notte Bianca delle università (White night at the universities)
An absolute first: the city's universities, departments and libraries will host a 'white night' when they will put on various initiatives. These will range from multicultural meetings to philosophy encounters and lessons on the theme of the night seen from various different perspectives: the sociology of night, the writer and night, the city by night, night-time in the suburbs, and the night for those on the edge. From h21 to h6 (21-22 Mar)

EXHIBITIONS
Galleria Borghese, piazzale del Museo Borghese, 5. Info 06328101
From 18 May: 10 grandi mostre: Raffaello. Da Firenze a Roma
The first of a series of major exhibitions that will take place once a year at the Galleria Borghese until 2015 and that will include the following artists: Canova (2007), Correggio (2008), Bacon-Caravaggio (2009), Dossi (2010), Tiziano (2011), Cranach (2012), e ancora Bernini (2013), Domenichino (2014) and "I Borghese e l'antico (The Borgheses and the ancient world)" (2015). For this particular exhibition on Raphael the art gallery will show his ultra-famous "Deposition", as well as works from different museums. The "Madonna of the Candelabra" is on loan from Baltimore, the "Aldobrandini Madonna", "Saint Catherine" and "The Knight’s Dream" from London, and the "Madonna with Child, St Jerome and St Francis” on loan from Berlin. This extraordinary exhibition will also include an important series of paintings and drawings by the artist.

Castel Sant'Angelo, lungotevere Castello, 50. Info 066876448
From 29 Apr to 11 May: Regioni, Province e Comuni (Regions, Provinces and Municipalities)
From 29 Apr to 30 May: La Croce: un simbolo di fede e di arte per l'umanità (The Cross: a symbol of faith and art for humanity)
The symbol of faith and of Christian iconography, the Cross: since the Edict of Constantine it has been reproduced on urns, sarcophaguses, insignia and banners, many churches mimic its shape and it is one of the most often represented artistic subjects. Paintings, sculptures, sacred furnishings and vestments are arranged in chronological order and displayed with captions explaining the iconographic evolution of the Cross. Moreover, a special space will be dedicated to the recovery of works of art by the police forces. Tue-sun h9-19. €7
From 26 Jun to 29 Oct: Roma Barocca: Bernini, Borromini, Pietro da Cortona (Baroque Rome: Bernini, Borromini, Pietro da Cortona)
Organised as a visual journey thought the most important places in the city of Rome as they were during the papacies of Urban VIII of the Barberinis (1623-44), Innocent X of the Pamphilis (1644-55) and Alexander VII of the Chigis (1655-66), and through the works of Bernini, Borromini and Pietro da Cortona. In a century marked by political crisis and the marginalisation of the papacy, the Baroque era afforded Rome artistic supremacy in terms of the exceptional revolutionary force of its language: the innovations proposed by Bernini and Borromini were propagated not only in Europe but also in Latin America. The exhibition contains virtual reconstructions and large-scale models. Various sections of the show will be dedicated to the architectural styles of the time, the decorative arts, music, workshops, science, and to time and perspective as the art of creating a space of illusion.

Museo di Roma Palazzo Braschi, piazza San Pantaleo. Info 0667108346
Spring - summer 2006: La porpora romana. Ritrattistica Cardinalizia dal manierismo ad oggi (The Vatican Curia. Portraits of Cardinals from the Mannerist period to the present day)

Palazzo del Laterano, Appartamento Papale. Piazza San Giovanni. Info 060606
From 4 Oct to 6 Jan 2007: Habemus papam. Le elezioni dei Pontefici a Roma dal Rinascimento al Novecento (Habemus papam. The elections of popes in Rome from the Renaissance to the 1900s)

Complesso del Vittoriano, via San Pietro in Carcere. Info 060606
From 6 Oct to 28 Feb 2007: Bonnard-Matisse e il Mediterraneo (Bonnard-Matisse and the Mediterranean)

Musei Vaticani, viale Vaticano. Info 0669883333
From 16 Nov: Laocoonte: alle origini del Musei Vaticani (Laocoon: the origins of the Vatican museums)
An exhibition that celebrates the 500th anniversary of the existence of the Vatican museums and that is dedicated to the marble statue of Laocoon discovered in 1506. The museums have constantly promoted art and culture thanks to a succession of popes who have been committed to safeguarding the country’s artistic heritage. The Vatican museums are currently the museum complex that attracts the most visitors nationwide.

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MUSIC
Auditorium della Conciliazione, via della Conciliazione
4-5 Apr: Vinicio Capossela www

Auditorium Parco della Musica, viale P. de Coubertin. Info 0680241281
30 Apr: Ludovico Einaudi ( www) and Paolo Fresu
4 May: Mory Kantè
Box office open Tue-sun h11-17 (Sat h13-17). Advance ticket sales: 800907080 (Mon-fri h10-17), from mobile phones: 068088352

Palalottomatica, piazzale dello Sport (Metro B Eur Fermi)
27-28 Apr: Eros Ramazzotti www
15 May: Carmen Consoli www

Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano
1 May: Concerto del 1° maggio www

Teatro Tendastrisce, via G. Perlasca, 69. Info 0625209633
20 Apr: I Nomadi www
9 May: Jethro Tull www

Teatro Ambra Jovinelli, via G. Pepe, 43-47. Info 0644340262
3 Apr: Mario Venuti www
13 Apr: Niccolò Fabi www

Stadio Olimpico, via del Foro Italico
27 May: Eagles www
3 Jun: Ligabue www

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Teatro dell'Opera, piazza B. Gigli. Info 0648160255
From 21 to 28 Apr: La Leggenda di Sakùntala
From 10 to 14 May: Dal Faust di Goethe
From 30 May to 6 Jun: Il turco in Italia
From 24 to 30 Jun: La Vestale - Terme di Caracalla
From 8 to 12 Jul: Madama Butterfly - Terme di Caracalla
From 18 Jul to 4 Aug: Aida - Terme di Caracalla
From 29 Jul to 9 Aug: Turandot - Terme di Caracalla
From 11 to 15 Oct: Il Lago dei Cigni
From 21 to 26 Oct: Cenerentola
From 14 to 22 Nov: Tristan und Isolde
From 7 to 14 Dec: Carmen
From 23 to 30 Dec: Lo Schiaccianoci

Piazza Sant'Ignazio
From 3 to 14 Jul: Concerti per Roma capitale (Concerts in the Capital)
The 18th edition of a concert series by the bands belonging to the different police forces.
3 Jul: Band of the Carabinieri
4 Jul: Band of the Police Corps
5 Jul: Band of the Military Navy
6 Jul: Band of the Municipal Police Corps
7 Jul: Band of the Penitentiary Police Corps
10 Jul: Band of the Aeronautical Corps
11 Jul: Band of the Army
12 Jul: Band of the Finance Police
13 Jul: Joint concert with the music bands of the carabinieri, state police, finance police and penitentiary police corps in honour of Pope Benedict XVI. The concert will be broadcast worldwide
14 Jul: Joint concert performed by the bands of the Military Navy, Aeronautical Corps and the Army

Aula Paolo VI in Vaticano
Dec: Concerto di Natale (Christmas Concert)
Traditional crib and Christmas tree in the square

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Colosseo, piazza del Colosseo
14 Apr: Via Crucis with the partecipation of the Pope

21 Apr: The Foundation of Rome
Celebrations for the anniversary of the foundation of Rome (753 B.C.)

Various locations
Apr-May: FotoGrafia (International Photography Festival)
Rome's international FotoGrafia Festival hosts more than 80 exhibitions, as well as other events, meetings and film screenings, in the city's main museums, cultural institutes, art galleries, bookstores, railway stations, bars and clubs. The theme for 2006 will be an examination of the 20th century and the need for photography to be a form of art and popular communication www

Basilica di Massenzio, via dei Fori Imperiali
May-Jun: Literature - 5° International Festival of Rome

Via dei Fori Imperiali
2 Jun: Anniversary of the Italian Repubblic
Military parade along the Via dei Fori Imperiali. In the afternoon opening of the Quirinale Gardens.

Basilica di Massenzio, via dei Fori Imperiali
Jun-Jul: Imperatori a Massenzio (Emperors in Massenzio)
Performance dedicated to the Roman Emperors.

Various locations
From 21 Jun to 21 Sep: Estate Romana (Roman Summer)
Hundreds of events amd performances animate summer nights.

Villa Borghese
Jun-Sep: Silvano Toti Globe Theatre
Elizabethin theatre in Villa Borghese.

Rome seaside
Jun-Sep: Il Mare di Roma
Rome's beaches are the centre of a 24 km stretch of 'movida'.

Jul: High Fashion in Rome
Autumn-winter Haute Couture collections. Info 06 6781313 www

Sep: La Notte Bianca (The White Night)
Entertainment, shops and restaurants open all night.

Auditorium Parco della Musica, viale P. de Coubertin. Info event 0645438102
From 13 to 21 Oct: Cinema. Festa Internazionale di Roma (Rome International Film Festival)
This year will see the first ever edition of an international film festival in Rome. The programme includes screenings in various cinemas around the city, and a series of related initiatives. The event is organised in five different sections called: “Première”, featuring gala soirées with preview screenings of European and international films; “Il lavoro dell'attore (The actor’s work)”, featuring workshops, seminars, screenings and meetings aimed at better understanding the world of acting; “Competizione (Competition)”, a section in which a popular jury coordinated by a team of film experts judges fourteen new films from different parts of the world; “Extra”, a stimulating segment of the festival that explores and promotes new audiovisual languages; and “Alice nella città (Alice in the city)”, featuring films for children and adolescents.

Fiera di Roma
From 8 to 17 Dec: Natale Oggi
Exhibition of Christmas gifts.

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SPORT
Partenza dal Palalottomatica, piazzale dello Sport (Metro B Eur Fermi)
5 Mar: XXXII Mezza Maratona Roma-Ostia XXXII Mezza Maratona (Half-Marathon) Roma-Ostia
The 4th Italian Entrepreneurs' Half-Marathon Championship will take place as part of this initiative - www

Partenza da via dei Fori Imperiali. Info 064065064/79
26 Mar: Maratona di Roma Rome Marathon
A 42km route through the symbolic sites of the city, with the participation of international athletes. On the same day, a few minutes later and also on the Via dei Fori Imperiali, the more accessible Stracittadina, a 5km route open to everyone www

Terme di Caracalla, viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 52
25 Apr: Gran Premio ciclistico della Liberazione (Cyclism) www

Ippodromo delle Capannelle, via Appia Nuova, 1245
May: Gallop Derby

Foro Italico, viale dei Gladiatori, 31
From 6 to 21 May: Tennis Master Series of Rome - www

Stadio Nando Martellini, Caracalla
21 May: Race for the Cure (Marathon) www

Piazza di Siena, Villa Borghese
From 25 to 28 May: International Horse Show of Rome www

Sheraton Golf Parco de' Medici, viale Parco de' Medici, 167. Info 0665288
From 14 to 17 Jun: Ladies Italian Open-Golf www

Stadio del Nuoto, Foro Italico. Viale del Foro Italico
From 2 to 11 Jun: Roma Acquatica

Fiumara grande, Ostia
From 10 to 11 Jun: Vela Estate - sailing race
From 17 to 18 Jun: 100 Vele - sailing event

Stadio Olimpico, viale del Foro Italico
14 Jul: Golden Gala www

Percorso Olimpiadi 1960
Sep: International Running Competition 'Corri Roma'

Skatepark, lido "The Spot" di Ostia
Sep-Oct: Skateboarding European Championship

Stadio dei Marmi; Acqua Acetosa; Farnesina, zona Foro Italico. Viale del Foro Italico
From 30 Sep to 5 Oct: Special Olympics European Youth Games www