Aida, Opera by G. Verdi (Zeffirelli Edition)
A special edition of Giuseppe Verdi’s famous opera Aida, by Franco Zeffirelli, at the Arena di Verona in the historic heart of the city, presents all of the majesty and mystery of Ancient Egypt in a now legendary production. Zeffirelli, a former Italian stage and film director, producer and production designer, who also had a significant political career, died in 2019 but this staging of Aida is very much his vision. Given the wonderful venue, which boasts Roman-era architecture on all sides, the way this timeless love story plays out provides a spellbinding atmosphere like no other. Even better, this is a package that includes not only Zeffirelli’s edition of Aida but also a trip on the 'trenino', a little train tour of some of the city's most interesting sights.
Aida was commissioned to mark a momentous occasion, the opening of Egypt’s Khedivial Opera House. Antonio Ghislanzoni penned the libretto, a writer who had previously made his name with Antonio Cagnoni, an Italian composer best-known for his comic operas. Although the intended premiere of Aida was delayed, the opera was eventually first performed at Cairo's stunning new auditorium on 24 December 1871. Aida soon became a staple of opera houses all over the world and it has remained a key part of the repertoire ever since.
Zeffirelli accentuated the romantic exoticism inherent in Verdi's telling of the story through music when he first produced the opera for Milan's La Scala in 1963. This version of the opera went on to be a success and was revived several times in other opera houses. From 1995 onward, the director began to collaborate with the Foundation of the Arena di Verona and the arena soon became one of the mainstays of Zeffirelli’s operatic work. The Arena di Verona edition of Aida by Zeffirelli was first staged during the 2002 season. With lavish scenery and monumental sets, this production of the opera was revived in 2018, introducing entirely new audiences to the pageantry and visual grandeur of the director's incomparable vision.
The plot focuses on Aida, an Ethiopian princess who loves Radamès, an Egyptian military commander who fights against her people. Both are torn between their duties and their affections for one another. Each must choose between their responsibilities and their love, with potentially fatal consequences. The Zeffirelli edition of Verdi's Aida at Verona's unique arena draws out all of these passions with an exceptional backdrop of majestic splendour.
The little train ride included with this package can be taken on the day of the performance or one day either side of it. The 'trenino' runs from Piazza Brà, a stone's throw from the opera's venue. With a multi-language audio guide, you'll get to see and understand the wider context of many of Verona’s historic monuments, including the Gavi Arch and Porta Borsari which, like the arena, date back to Roman times. Other highlights include the 11th-century cathedral complex Duomo di Verona and the Castel San Pietro. Trains leave every 30 minutes and the ride takes about 25 minutes. The train tour, combined with the passionate Zeffirelli edition of Verdi's Aida at Verona's arena, is a package that offers something truly unique.