I don't know the Villa, so I'll comment on the operatic aspects.

Performances in the Arena, as befits the nature of the venue, stress monumental spectacle, at the expense of nuanced interpretation and refined vocal drama. This approach works OK for some, less good for others.

I despise Franco Zefferelli and his narcissistic approach to opera production, and the 2010 season is a retrospective of several of his past prosecutions. My view of Zeff is not shared by everyone, and I think that the unique experience offered by the Arena as a performance venue should be experienced, at least once. I went to one performance in the latter 1990s, and once was enough - I was glad I experienced it, but feel no need to return.

In looking as the casting for 2010, as is usual in Verona, there are some fine singers mixed in with others who are has-beens, and still others who are unknown. Some of the Trovatores, for example, have Radvanovsky, Alvarez and Hvorstovsky - that is a world-class cast, and even the unsubtle Cornetti as Azucena should work well in the open-air setting - this would be my choice (by a mile). Kate Aldrich as Carmen, and Pisapia as Pinkerton in Butterfly are also very good in their roles.