Operas and festivals are just two of the enormous authentic expression of Italy's culture. Known to be rich in history, this country is also considered home of festivals ready to welcome every local and tourists alike.
1. Arena di Verona, Verona
Verona is known to captivate tourist with its romantic aura offering the biggest events in the Opera scene. This year, the city is celebrating the 88th Opera Festival with "Franco Zeffirelli and the Arena" as the theme in honor of the great Italian director. Known to be one of Italy's most celebrated festivals, this attracts crowds with 48 great performances by 80 talented artists. It will be a combo of internationally famous performers and a great number of first-time performers at the Arena of Verona. Schedule is well laid out to suit any Italy package tour itinerary. The festival started June 18 and will last until August 29.
2. Festival Dei Due Mondi, Spoleto
Festival of the Two Worlds. The "Festival Dei Due Mondi" has a run down of concerts, dramatic operas, impressive visual arts and a mind joggling discussions about Science. This plays a very important manifestation in American and European connection. Said to come from Gian Carlo Menotti's goal to have the two big countries- America and Europe come face to face in this event. This festival has a twin event being celebrated in the USA as Spoleto Festival USA celebrated every May/June. This extravagant celebration caters not just Italy's rich arts treasures but Europe in general. The venue of arts festival is a simple, small town which offers good and reasonable deals. Spoletto is not so distant from Rome with a good train rail for a convenient Italy package trip. This festival runs June-July.
3. Festival Puccini, Torre del Lago
runs from July or August. This year's celebration is the 56th Festival Puccini in Torre del Lago. Just like any other famous operas, this event is dedicated to the exceptional composer of the 20th century, Giacomo Puccini. The venue is practically stone-throw away from the small chapel where Puccini's mortal remains is buried. With roughly 40,000 spectators of the event yearly, the festival never failed to express the opera lovers as well as the tourists. This year's celebration is held at an open theater with a list of superb opera performances and three more ballet recital. Additional event is a ballet recital of Romeo and Juliet, one of the most famous love story in all time - and this is one of the much awaited performance in the said festival.
4. Maggio Musicale Florentino
Having the desire to portray modern and long-forgotten operas in the theatrical scene, Vittorio Gui founded the Maggio Musicale Florentino. Millions of tourist flock to Italy to witness this event known to be the very first musical festival of the country. Get impressed with Maggio Dance which is the festival's own dance company.
5. Opera/Ballet Season at the Outdoor Arena, Macerata
Known to have the largest outdoor arena after Verona which was built early 19th century. The arena was originally built for handball games but later on became the venue of summer opera performances. This is when Macerata Festival started, inviting famous world class artists to perform in the said event. Operas playing between July 29 - August 10, will bring Faust and La Forza del Destino to its center stage.
6. Pesaro Rossini Opera Festival
Dedicated to a very talented composer - Giocchino Rossini the Opera Festival is a significant event in the operatic calendar of Italy. Highlighted in the event are the lesser known works of the great composer. Held annually in the month of August, this festival tends to be one of the favorite events in ideal Italy packages.
7. San Remo Festival
Also known as Festival della Canzone Italiana, this event is a popular Song contest which had been running for ages. Initially, two different interpreters have to sing the same song. Each interpreter uses a distinct orchestral arrangement to exemplify the meaning of the festival as the composer's contest and not the singer's. A perfect Italy package makes one enjoy the performances of a native Italian artist (singing one version) and another version by an international guest artist.
8. Rome - Auditorium Parco della Music
Visit Rome for its Roman Opera Festival in July 1- August 8 in your Italy package. With an astonishing setting equivalent to that of Verona's arena. Get delighted with this year's opera performances of Aida, Rigoletto and a ballet routine of Romeo and Juliet.
9. Ravenna Festival, Ravenna
This festival offers an array of events - operas, classical music, dance and jazz, ethnic music, drama, films plus conventions and exhibits. Held every July and August in the city of Ravenna, Italy and was founded by the wife of the conductor Riccardo Muti - Maria Christina Muti. The festival offers a great combination of famous works and those less well-known operas.
10. Umbria Jazz, Perugia
This is one of the most significant jazz festivals all around the globe. Held between July 9- 18, this event becomes a prestigious gathering of big names in jazz.
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Photos of the YourGuidetoItaly.com banner (from left to right): (on campus) Sean Locke, (red deckchair) Valentina Jori, (chianti botlle) Donald Gruener, (Vitruvian man) Jodie Coston, (coliseum), Roberto A Sanchez, (Fiat 500) Luca di Filippo. Photo of 'Rialto bridge' by S. Greg Panosian.
