Grand finale for the Arena di Verona Opera Festival 2024 from 5 to 7 September, three evenings close to sold-out

Thursday 5 September, staging of Aida in the historic 1913 production.

Friday 6, the sparkling Barbiere di Siviglia on the occasion of the G7 of Chambers.

Saturday 7, conclusion with the spectacular Carmen in Zeffirelli's staging.

The countdown has begun for the final weekend of the 101st Arena di Verona Opera Festival. Three operas in three days, great titles in the now classic stagings by de Bosio, De Ana and Zeffirelli, with acclaimed international performers engaged together with the artistic and technical ensembles of the Fondazione Arena. Three near-sellout evenings that will also see the Presidents of the lower houses of the G7 countries and the European Parliament in the Arena.

AIDA. On Thursday 5 September, at 9 p.m., for one last time the Ancient Egypt imagined by Verdi for his Aida, the opera queen of the Amphitheatre, will come back to life in the Arena, in the staging curated by Gianfranco de Bosio, whose centenary year falls. This historic edition evokes the magic of the first night of opera in the Arena in 1913. Aida is conducted by Daniel Oren with Maria José Siri in the lead, while the rival Amneris is Ekaterina Semenchuk. In the role of the beloved Radames returns tenor Gregory Kunde, winner of the Lugo Prize 2024; the high priest Ramfis, symbol of religious power and implacable judgement, is Alexander Vinogradov, while the Ethiopian king Amonasro, Aida's father, is Youngjun Park. Completing the cast are Francesca Maionchi (priestess) and Riccardo Rados (messenger) while debuting as King of the Egyptians is the bass Giorgi Manoshvili. With the artistic and technical ensembles of the Fondazione Arena, the ballet features original choreography by Susanna Egri with three dance stars Eleana Andreoudi, Gioacchino Starace and Denys Cherevychko. Duration 3 hours and 40 minutes, including two intervals. 

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE. On Friday 6 September, at 9 p.m., the barber and factotum Figaro returns with a new cast for the most classic of comic operas, in the iconic Italian garden with big red roses designed by Hugo De Ana for the Veronese Amphitheatre. Starring baritone Davide Luciano, sidekick to the Count of Almaviva in the young American tenor Jack Swanson, who wins the love of Rosina, played by mezzo-soprano Ekaterine Buachidze in her Arena debut. Bartolo, the beauty's gruff guardian, is impersonated by Carlo Lepore, and his accomplice Basilio, music master, by Alexander Vinogradov. The cast is completed by Marianna Mappa's hilarious Berta, Nicolò Ceriani in the double role of Fiorello and Ambrogio, and the very young Domenico Apollonio as the Ufficiale. The Arena Foundation Orchestra, the Men's Choir and the Arena Ballet are conducted by George Petrou, another happy debut at this Festival, who accompanies the sparkling recitatives of Rossini's comedy on the harpsichord. The performance will take place in the presence of high institutional dignitaries, including the President of the Chamber of Deputies Lorenzo Fontana, present in Verona for the G7 Summit of the Presidents of the Lower Houses of Parliament and the European Parliament. Duration about 3 hours including an interval. 

CARMEN. On Saturday 7 September at 9 p.m. it is the turn of Bizet's masterpiece to seal the 101st Arena di Verona Opera Festival in an evening that has been sold out for weeks. In a grandiose, cinematic spectacle by director and set designer Franco Zeffirelli, with over 500 people on stage and an international cast in the original costumes by Anna Anni and with lighting by Paolo Mazzon. The titular protagonist is mezzo-soprano Alisa Kolosova, torn between Paolo Lardizzone's passionate dragon Josè and Dalibor Jenis' bullfighter Escamillo. Back in the role of the sweet Micaela is soprano Mariangela Sicilia, already applauded at the opening gala and as Liù in Turandot broadcast by Rai 3. In the flank parts young and appreciated artists such as Alessia Nadin, Daniela Cappiello (the friends Frasquita and Mercedes), Jan Antem, Vincent Ordonneau, (Dancairo and Remendado), Gabriele Sagona and Fabio Previati (the dragons Zuniga and Morales). For this one evening only, Carmen is conducted by maestro Daniel Oren, conducting the Arena Foundation Orchestra, the Arena Chorus prepared by Roberto Gabbiani and the A.Li.Ve. treble voices instructed by Paolo Facincani. On stage, Bizet's Seville is enriched by the authentically Spanish choreography of El Camborio and the Antonio Gades Company directed by Stella Arauzo. Total duration 3 hours and 45 minutes, including two intermissions. 

The Arena di Verona Opera Festival 2024 has seen the support of numerous sponsors, first and foremost UniCredit, which boasts a longevity of collaboration of more than 25 years, and then Calzedonia, Pastificio Rana, Volkswagen Group Italia, DB Bahn, Forno Bonomi, RTL 102.5, Genny, who signed the uniforms of the staff in charge of welcoming the public, and Müller, who supported the accessibility projects dedicated to people with disabilities. Among the official partners were historical brands such as Veronafiere, Air Dolomiti, A4 Holding, Metinvest, SABA Italia, SDG Group, Sartori di Verona, Palazzo Maffei and Mantova Village. As well as Poste Italiane, ManPower Group and Consorzio di Tutela dell'Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena DOP. As well as companies, private individuals and professional orders that make up the ranks of the 67 Columns Membership for the Arena di Verona, founded by Gianluca Rana of the pasta factory of the same name and Sandro Veronesi, patron of the Oniverse Group, with the Athesis Editorial Group as media partner.