Figaro, Aida, and Turandot at the Arena di Verona

The 101st Arena di Verona Opera Festival continues. From 27 to 29 June, three unmissable operas will be performed on the stage of the Scaligero amphitheatre.

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

On Thursday 27 June, at 9.30 p.m., the Arena stage will be transformed into a large Italian garden, for The Barber of Seville directed by Hugo De Ana. A magical and comic setting amid hedges, red roses and elegant Rococo-style dresses, inhabited by the characters (both tenderhearted and cunning) of Rossini's comic masterpiece. Interpreting these roles are the international artists applauded at the premiere: the young baritone Mattia Olivieri plays Figaro, barber and factotum who helps the Count of Almaviva win over Rosina (the tenor Renè Barbera and mezzo-soprano Vasilisa Berzhanskaya, respectively). Standing in their way are the elderly and gruff tutor Bartolo and the music teacher Basilio, played by Paolo Bordogna and Roberto Tagliavini. Marianna Mappa, Nicolò Ceriani and Domenico Apollonio complete the cast. Pure musical theatre, this rhythmic feast for the eyes as well as the ears is conducted by Maestro George Petrou, who leads the Orchestra and Choir of the Fondazione Arena.

AIDA

The operatic queen of the Arena, Aida, is staged on Friday 28 June at 9.30 pm. The 'crystal' setting is curated by Stefano Poda, with pyramids of light, transparencies, lasers, and costumes inspired by Egyptian iconography, high fashion and contemporary art. In a world divided between two warring nations, Verdi recounts the love and conflicts of the Ethiopian princess Aida and the Egyptian general Radames. The tenor Martin Muehle is confirmed in the role of Radames while soprano Maria José Siri makes her season debut as the protagonist. Also making his debut is South Korean baritone Youngjun Park as Amonasro, Aida's father. Other popular performers also return to the stage, starting with Aida's rival Princess Amneris played by Agnieszka Rehlis after her successful Arena debut, the basses Rafał Siwek (Ramfis) and Giorgi Manoshvili (Re), along with Francesca Maionchi and Riccardo Rados. Maestro Marco Armiliato leads the artistic ensembles of the Fondazione Arena, concerning Ballet and Technicians.

TURANDOT

On Saturday 29 June, also at 9.30 p.m., the last performance of Turandot will take place, in Franco Zeffirelli's fairytale-like staging with Oscar-winning costumes by Emi Wada. Young conductor Michele Spotti directs the full-strength Arena staff and artists of the premiere, recorded by Rai Cultura and soon to be broadcast in prime time. The role of Calaf is played by tenor Yusif Eyvazov, with Mariangela Sicilia as a sweet and courageous Liù and Riccardo Fassi as Calaf’s father, Timur. The protagonist Turandot, the princess with a heart of ice, is interpreted by Olga Maslova. The cast also includes Youngjun Park, Riccardo Rados, Matteo Macchioni, Nicolò Ceriani and Leonardo Cortellazzi. With an orchestra of infinite colours and a dense crowd of chorus, ballet, treble voices, mimes, figures, acrobats, this Turandot is only the first of three works with which the Fondazione Arena pays homage to Puccini in the centenary year of his death.

ARENA FOR ALL.

A weekend dedicated to guided sensory paths is offered thanks to Arena per tutti (Arena for All), the largest opera accessibility project in Europe, promoted by the Fondazione Arena with Müller. An incredible 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, the support is available in three different languages: Italian, English and German. As many as 2,500 extra tickets for people with motor disabilities, 100 per evening. Info and bookings on the websitewww.arenapertutti.it or 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.