The Verona Opera Festival, Verona, Italy

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. 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 emerge themselves in the costumes, poetry and music of Giuseppe Verdi's, Adia, Nabucco, and Rigoletto, Georges Bizet's Carmen, Tosca and Turandot Puccini's last great Opera and Ginachino Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia during this summers Opera Festival.

A special performance will be held by Placido Domingo to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of his debut in the Arena. There will be 50 performers involving famous artists who will participate in this celebration including The Verona Orchestra, Chorus and Ballet.

The amphitheater is impressive seating about 20,000 spectators. The Arena is surrounded by the Piazza del Signiori. The lights go out in the area as it gets dark about 9 PM and 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 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. I look forward to Verona and have only sat in the arena, but I have been told that the acoustics are even better in the gallery. 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, as the seats are stone steps. However the views and acoustics 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 by Verona's famous Shakespeare festival, which includes performances by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Visits to Juliet's House, the Casa di Giulietta, a little more than a small house with a balcony and Romeo's supposed house has been converted into a charming restaurant called the Osteria Dal Duca, and is worthy of a visit. Verona is only about an hour from Venice, so if you are planning a visit to Venice consider including the Verona Opera Festival.

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

http://www.arena.it