Arena di Verona Festival 2016

June 24th - August 28th

For those of you lucky enough to be in Venice during these two months, a day trip to Verona is only an hour away by Le Frecce high-speed train. Verona is a beautiful city and a performance at the arena is simply unforgetable. You will probably need to stay overnight as the trains don't run late enough to return to Venice after the performances.

The spectacular productions at the Arena of Verona have drawn crowds since the first opera was staged there in 1913, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Verdi’s birth.

The tremendous amphitheater represents a high-point in the Roman Empire’s history. Where gladiators once battled to the delight of agitated crowds, international opera singers now entertain a more sedate, but no less passionate audience with music.

There are forty-six evenings of opera and five elaborate productions on this year's program – Bizet’s "Carmen", Verdi’s "Aida", "La Traviata", and "Il Trovatore", and Puccini’s "Turandot". For ballet fans, Italian star dancer Roberto Bolle brings his hugely popular production, "Robert Bolle and Friends" back to the Arena on July 18.

Performances traditionally begin at sundown. When the audience lights the candles provided at the entrance, the Arena shimmers and glows under the night sky.

Tickets are available through Classictic and there is more information on the Arena di Verona website.

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