Verona Opera Festival

Established for over one hundred years, Verona’s internationally renowned opera festival ranks as one of the most spectacular in the world. Staged in the awe-inspiring ancient Roman amphitheatre known as the Arena di Verona, the festival has hosted many of the world’s greatest opera singers and some of the most magnificent sets in the classical world. As dusk falls and the candles are lit, we take our seats for two operatic masterpieces followed by one of the best known choral works in the world.

Our tour to the 2021 festival begins with a defining opera of the festival: Verdi’s Aida. With its dramatic public scenes and moments of private intimacy, this beloved work comes to life amongst the stunning sets and costumes of Franco Zeffirelli and Anna Anni.

Next we will experience perhaps Verdi’s best known opera: La traviata. Based on Alexandre Dumas’ play, The Lady of the Camellias, this deservedly famous work explores themes of forbidden love, personal sacrifice and doomed youth. Overflowing with memorable melodies, this production includes direction and set design by Franco Zeffirelli and costume design by Maurizio Millenotti.

On our final evening we have the opportunity to experience a performance of Verdi’s monumental Requiem in the dramatic surroundings of the Arena. With a huge orchestra, double chorus and a full complement of soloists, the Requiem sees Verdi apply his consummate skills as a composer of opera to the concert stage. The Requiem sees music of searing emotion combined with intensely dramatic moments, no more so than in the thrilling and terrifying Dies Irae.

In ‘fair Verona’, the city of Romeo and Juliet, we will explore evocative Roman ruins and splendid medieval churches. An excursion will take us to the shores of Lake Garda, which has enchanted writers and travellers from Catullus to Tennyson. In Vicenza we will admire the architectural genius of Palladio, whose articulated classicism graces both private and public buildings in the city, earning it UNESCO World Heritage status.

We will stay throughout at the comfortable and elegant Hotel San Luca, located a five-minute stroll away from Verona’s Arena.

This tour will be led by Paul Jackson, MA, SFHEA, a conductor, pianist, musicologist and former Director of Music at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge. Paul has enjoyed an extensive career as a conductor of opera and also as a chamber musician, performing widely in the UK, Europe and America.