Travel & Holidays

The Verona Opera Festival

Much more than just a night at the Opera

Annelies Van de Velde

Each summer, the city of Verona in Northern Italy comes alive with operatic drama during the Verona Opera Festival, held at the imposing open-air Arena di Verona. This 2000-year old amphitheatre has been amazingly preserved and has played host to a string of musical performances from as early as 1913. Despite the theatre's age and legacy, the sound-quality is second to none, with almost all of its 15000 seats receiving the same rich sounds coming from the crème de la crème of the opera world. The unique historical and outdoor setting makes for a captivating and romantic atmosphere, quite different to that of modern opera houses like La Scala or Sydney Opera House.  All this combined with Italian passion and the warm summer air makes The Verona Opera Festival a world-class event.

The 2009 Festival, 19th June - 30th August

This year will be the 87th festival, with five operas running repeatedly over the length of the event: Carmen by Bizet, Aida by Verdi, The Barber of Seville by Rossini and Turandot and Tosca by Puccini. Crowning the whole affair is a Gala night on the 24th of July with the world-famous tenor Placido Domingo, who will perform together with a star-studded cast the last acts of Otello, Cyrano de Bergerac and Carmen. Also known as 'The King of the Opera', Domingo has recorded over 100 complete operas and this year celebrates the 40th anniversary of his debut in the Arena. Not just a singer, Domingo will also be conducting the first four performances of Carmen, a production staged by leading Italian film director Franco Zeffirelli.

More than just opera...

For many, however, The Verona Opera Festival is more than just a night at the opera. It is also the perfect time to explore the sight-rich city of Verona and surrounding areas, including Lake Garda and the hiking trails of the Dolomites.

Famously home to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliette, Verona itself is crawling with Roman landmarks and Medieval buildings, and the importance of these coupled with a strong artistic heritage has resulted in its title of 'UNESCO World Heritage Site'. From the imposing Arena and Roman Theatre to the romantic, balcony-clad house of Juliette, there is something around every corner to take you back to the past.

A forty-minute drive to the North-West takes you to Italy's largest lake, Lake Garda, situated at the foot of the Alps and surrounded by rich Mediterranean vegetation, vineyards and olive groves.   The Lake Garda area offers a perfect blend of cosmopolitan-living and back-to-nature beauty, with trendy bars cafes and restaurants in the many towns that fringe the lake's shores. Sports-lovers are not disappointed here with everything on offer from cycling and climbing to water sports and world-class golf, while foodies will enjoy wine-tasting tours and Italian cuisine. Walking is gentle in the morainic hills of the South and more dramatic in the Dolomites of Brenta in the North, or always pleasant around the lake and the many picturesque town centres. And for a more relaxed approach to sightseeing, a trip on one of the Navigarda ferries is well worth a try.

While Lake Garda is high on many people's lists when exploring the area, the Valpolicella District is also a popular choice with hilly landscapes, fine wines, Romanesque churches and plenty of parks.

So how do I get there?

Flights to Verona are easy to find and there are many airlines to choose from, including some low-cost options. You can then buy tickets to the opera from the official Verona Arena Foundation website.

Alternatively, try this last-minute Verona Opera & Lake Garda holidays package deal from Thomson Lakes & Mountains: If you book a holiday to the 4-star Hotel Du Parc in Sirmione, Lake Garda by the 31st of May, you'll receive a free excursion to the Verona Opera to see a performance of your choice, plus an extra sightseeing excursion to the city of Verona, half-board meals plus wine and afternoon tea & coffee every day. Prices start at £654 for flights leaving from Gatwick on the 20th of June, although they are always changing.