Verona Italy: Summer Opera Festival

Photos

Arena di Verona

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uploaded by ad-K

Videos

Academia Recital - Romeo e Giulietta - Verona

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sourced by Patricia Turo

If you are not an Opera fan and have never been to the opera, discover the passion, drama and atmosphere of the Opera Festival in Verona Italy. The performances are held in the 2000 year old Arena di Verona, which is the third largest arena in Italy. The amphitheater’s opera productions are held throughout the summer and are a magical and an enchanting experience.

Opera lovers will immerse themselves in the costumes, poetry and music of Verdi's, Aida, Nabucco, and Rigoletto, Georges Bizet’s Carmen, Tosca and Turandot Puccini’s last great Opera and  Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia during this summers Opera Festival.

 A special performance will be held by Placido Domingo to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his debut in the Arena. There will be 50 performers involving famous artists who will participate in this celebration. 

The amphitheater is impressive seating about 20,000 spectators. The Arena is surrounded by the Piazza del Signiori. The lights go out in the arena, as it gets dark about 9 pm - spectators in the gallery light candles at the start of the performance. As the sparkle of the candles burn out, the performance begins and for the next few hours you are transcended into a beautiful and almost spiritual experience.

The Piazza Signiori is impressive and before and during the intermissions and after the performance is filled with people promenading this vast stone wonder.  It is surrounded by small restaurants with outdoor seating where you enjoy a before or after performance meal late into the evening.

Everyone can enjoy the magnificence of the opera, as the seat prices start at about 12 Euro’s (in the gallery) to 198 Euro’s (in the Arena). Seat maps are available for you to view the location on the various ticket web sites. During the intermission those sitting in the gallery are not allowed to step out into the piazza, as it would take too long to reseat everyone. You might want to bring a cushion to sit on.  The views and acoustics from the gallery are very good and the price is affordable.

An added cultural event are the performances of the story of Romeo and Juliet in its true setting performed at the Verona's famous Shakespeare Festival, which includes performances by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Verona is only about an hour from Venice and including it on your summer travel tour of Italy is one you will consider your most memorable experiences.

The Verona Opera Festival begins June 19th with Carmen conducted by Placido Domingo.

http://www.arena.it