A Weekend Of Great Operas At The Arena On 20-23 June

In the extensive programme of the 101st Arena di Verona Opera Festival, Rossini's The Barber of Seville makes its seasonal debut on Friday, 21 June, with Hugo De Ana's now classic rococo garden setting. Three more opera evenings frame this premiere from Thursday, 20 June to Sunday, 23 June, at 9.30 pm.

Pyramids of light, transparencies, laser beams, costumes inspired by Egyptian iconography, haute couture fashion and contemporary art: Aida, in its "crystal" staging curated in every aspect by Stefano Poda, returns to the stage on Thursday, 20 June, confirming the applauded cast of the premiere: Marta Torbidoni, who made her successful debut in the role and at the Arena, plays Aida; Gregory Kunde - just awarded the Lugo 2024 Prize - is Radames; Agnieszka Rehlis is princess Amneris; Riccardo Fassi is the Egyptian king; Francesca Maionchi is the priestess, and Riccardo Rados is the messenger. There are two new entries on the bill, both making their seasonal debut in the Arena: bass Rafał Siwek as High Priest Ramfis, and baritone Amartuvshin Ekhbat as Amonasro, Ethiopian king and father of Aida. The Orchestra and Chorus of Fondazione Arena are conducted by Marco Armiliato, with Ballet, Mimes and Minor Roles bringing to life a people torn by conflict who share the protagonists' feelings.

Saturday, 22 June sees the third performance of Turandot, the first of the three titles with which Fondazione Arena pays homage to Puccini on the centenary of his death, here in Franco Zeffirelli's fairy-tale setting with Oscar-winning costumes by Emi Wada. The replica, which has already sold out like the previous performances, will confirm on stage the ice princess of the title, played by Olga Maslova, alongside Gregory Kunde as Calaf, and Riccardo Fassi as Timur. The cast, which also includes Youngjun Park (Ping), Riccardo Rados (Pang), Matteo Macchioni (Pong), Nicolò Ceriani (Mandarino), debuts soprano Daria Rybak as the sweet and courageous Liù. After his successful debut, young maestro Michele Spotti is back on the podium to conduct the cast, Orchestra and Chorus of the Arena and the treble voices of the A.d'A.Mus choir. After three sold-out performances, a few seats remain for the unmissable fourth and final evening of Turandot on Saturday, 29 June.

Sunday, 23 June closes the week with the third date of Aida, the opera queen of the Arena, with a cast featuring new artists, and the 100th Festival staging designed by Stefano Poda. Marco Armiliato leads the complex artists of Fondazione Arena, with Marta Torbidoni in her last Aida this season, and Agnieszka Rehlis as Amneris. Amartuvshin Ekhbat as Amonasro and Rafał Siwek as Ramfis return, while tenor Martin Muehle makes his debut as Radames, as does bass Giorgi Manoshvili as the King. Francesca Maionchi (priestess) and Riccardo Rados (messenger) complete the poster. With four performances in four days, the commitment of the Arena's staff, with Chorus, Ballet and Technicians, is outstanding.

20, 22 And 23 June also coincide with the first dates of Arena per tutti, Europe's largest accessibility project for lyrical opera, promoted by Fondazione Arena partnered by Müller. As many as 25 evenings of live performances, from June to September, offer everybody the opportunity to follow the opera with ad hoc media including digital opera booklets, audio description for the blind and visually impaired, and specific subtitles for the deaf. This year, in three different languages: Italian, English and German. As many as 2,500 extra tickets for people with motor disabilities, 100 per evening. And, from next week, sensory paths for people with disabilities. Info and bookings on the websitewww.arenapertutti.it and by sending an email to inclusione@arenadiverona.it.

The Arena di Verona Opera Festival 2024 is supported by numerous sponsors, headed by UniCredit, which boasts a longevity of more than 25 years of collaboration, followed by Calzedonia, Pastificio Rana, Volkswagen Group Italia, DB Bahn, Forno Bonomi, RTL 102.5, Genny, which once again this year signs the uniforms of audience reception staff, and Müller which, this year too, supports the accessibility projects dedicated to people with disabilities. Official partners include historic brands such as Veronafiere, Air Dolomiti, A4 Holding, Metinvest, SABA Italia, SDG Group, Sartori di Verona, Palazzo Maffei and Mantova Village. New supporters include Poste Italiane, ManPower Group and Consorzio di Tutela dell'Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena DOP. In addition to companies, private individuals, and professional associations that make up the ranks of the Membership 67 Columns for the Arena di Verona, founded by Gianluca Rana from the namesake pasta factory, and Sandro Veronesi, patron of the Oniverse Group, with Gruppo Editoriale Athesis as media partner.