87 Opera Festival

From 19 June 2009 to 30 August 2009

This years Opera Festival once again offers a stellar cast of performers and performances, again providing a traditional event as well as highlighting new inspirations and interpretations.

There are five works scheduled for this years festival, in addition to the Gala performance celebrating the fortieth anniversary of Placido Domingos debut at the Arena. For this evening the singer will be joined by stars from the world of opera, and will perform solos and duets from such favourites as Othello, Carmen and Cyrano de Bergerac, conducted by Pier Giorgio Morandi.

The programme proper begins 19 June with Bizets Carmen in a revival of Zeferellis production. Placido Domingo will star here too, though in the conductors role for the first four performances, before passing on the baton to Julian Kovatchev.

Verdis Aida, which was the first work put on at the festival (and which has to date ran through 49 editions will be produced by Gianfranco de Bosio, inspired by the very first production of the work in 1913. Conducted by Daniel Oren the first show takes place 20 June.27 June sees Puccinis Turandot, also conducted by Oren and directed by Yuri Alexandrov, with set and costumes by Viacheslav Okunev.11 July is the debut of Rossinis Il Barbiere di Siviglia under Antonio Pirolli, with design by Hugo de Ana, while 15 August the Roman amphitheatre hosts another Puccini masterpiece, Tosca, designed by Hugo de Ana and conducted by Pier Giorgio Morandi.

The 50 performances will all be accompanied by the prestigious Orchestra, Choir and Dance Corps of the Arena of Verona.