cecelia
Sep 10, 03, 7:01 pm
Searching, I didn't find posts about attending the opera in Verona so to help others in their planning here goes.
This was my first exposure to opera and surprisingly wonderful to me.
The gorgeous setting in the ancient arena in Verona's city center is magical. We drove over from north of Venice right up to the arena and parked. Actually, I drove onto a cobblestoned area that was off limits to cars and the nice officer told me where the best parking lot was. I cost under $10 for about 10 hours of parking and it was 1.5 blocks away from the arena. We came early for dinner, passagiata and to eat gelato.
We had no reserved seats but wanted to sit up high as possible on the stones seats. The tickets for stone seats were ~$25 each.
We came prepared with towels for cushions. You are allowed to bring in what you want except for glass containers. They also rent cushions and vendors are selling refreshments at all levels. Binoculars and hand fans are very nice to have. Ladies be sure to wear something that allows you to easily step up high on big steps.
The higher you sit, the more breeze you can pick up, which for us luckily appeared at 9:00 pm on this 90 degree evening, just as the show was to begin.
Two minutes into the second act, we felt a few sprinkles of rain. The opera stopped and the musicians left with the string instruments including the large harp. The announcements were in Italian and it was difficult to understand what was happening. Soon the sprinkles stopped and everyone was clapping for the show to begin again. More announcements and the suspense was building. Again the musicians came out and the act resumed.
The thrill of being under the stars at night, just as the evening's cooling, the beautiful, colorful scenery and costumes and hearing the music was very enjoyable. The Italian men in the audience, caught up by the emotion of the singing and acting would shout out things like Bravissimo! and Viva Verdi! The man behind us was deeply engrossed in the singing while his wife lay sleeping on the stones behind him.
If you're nearby and able, it's the best of Verona and a wonderful way to enjoy Italy.
We saw Aida and the scenery was vivid, vibrant. I knew it was set it Eygypt and why it was commissioned to be written by Verdi but not the storyline. The person next to me explained the love triangle tragedy just before it started. Afterward, I read the multi-language guide purchased there 5Eur. Some people read the guide with flashlights during the opera. Knowing the story ahead would give more enjoyment.
[This message has been edited by cecelia (edited 09-11-2003).]
[This message has been edited by cecelia (edited 09-11-2003).]
This was my first exposure to opera and surprisingly wonderful to me.
The gorgeous setting in the ancient arena in Verona's city center is magical. We drove over from north of Venice right up to the arena and parked. Actually, I drove onto a cobblestoned area that was off limits to cars and the nice officer told me where the best parking lot was. I cost under $10 for about 10 hours of parking and it was 1.5 blocks away from the arena. We came early for dinner, passagiata and to eat gelato.
We had no reserved seats but wanted to sit up high as possible on the stones seats. The tickets for stone seats were ~$25 each.
We came prepared with towels for cushions. You are allowed to bring in what you want except for glass containers. They also rent cushions and vendors are selling refreshments at all levels. Binoculars and hand fans are very nice to have. Ladies be sure to wear something that allows you to easily step up high on big steps.
The higher you sit, the more breeze you can pick up, which for us luckily appeared at 9:00 pm on this 90 degree evening, just as the show was to begin.
Two minutes into the second act, we felt a few sprinkles of rain. The opera stopped and the musicians left with the string instruments including the large harp. The announcements were in Italian and it was difficult to understand what was happening. Soon the sprinkles stopped and everyone was clapping for the show to begin again. More announcements and the suspense was building. Again the musicians came out and the act resumed.
The thrill of being under the stars at night, just as the evening's cooling, the beautiful, colorful scenery and costumes and hearing the music was very enjoyable. The Italian men in the audience, caught up by the emotion of the singing and acting would shout out things like Bravissimo! and Viva Verdi! The man behind us was deeply engrossed in the singing while his wife lay sleeping on the stones behind him.
If you're nearby and able, it's the best of Verona and a wonderful way to enjoy Italy.
We saw Aida and the scenery was vivid, vibrant. I knew it was set it Eygypt and why it was commissioned to be written by Verdi but not the storyline. The person next to me explained the love triangle tragedy just before it started. Afterward, I read the multi-language guide purchased there 5Eur. Some people read the guide with flashlights during the opera. Knowing the story ahead would give more enjoyment.
[This message has been edited by cecelia (edited 09-11-2003).]
[This message has been edited by cecelia (edited 09-11-2003).]