Verona - Event

The Arena di Verona is famous for its International Opera Festival - the highlight of the city's summer calendar and one of the most famous Italian cultural must-sees. This year's festival features five operas, with a total of 50 performances.

On the bill in 2009 are Verdi's Aida, Puccini's Tosca and Turandot, Georges Bizet's Carmen and Barbiere di Siviglia by Gioacchino Rossini.

Up to 22,000 spectators at a time are able to delight both in the amazing historical setting and the fantastic acoustics of the ancient monument, as well as in the world-class performers that the festival attracts.

The first festival was organised in 1913, when a group of friends decided that the ancient arena would be a spectacular venue for Aida. It was attended by thousands of opera fans, critics, journalists and musicians from all over the world, and among the spectators were the writers Franz Kafka and Maxim Gorky, as well as Puccini. Billed as one of the greatest music events of the early-20th century, it set a precedent which the organisers have happily managed to live up to over the years.

It is advisable to book tickets well in advance because they sell out quickly. You can make your bookings online and there are sales outlets across Europe - please visit the Arena di Verona website for details.

Performances really come alive in this fantastic venue, even if wild cats can be seen, on occasion, walking across the stage area during performances!