Arena di Verona Festival

The Arena di Verona Festival is an annual summer opera festival held in the ancient Roman amphitheater of Verona, Italy. Established in 1913 to celebrate the centenary of Giuseppe Verdi's birth, the festival has since become a significant cultural event, attracting opera enthusiasts and tourists from around the world.

Founded by Verona tenor Giovanni Zenatello and impresario Ottone Rovato, the first opera performed was Verdi's Aida, which proved to be a resounding success. This initial performance marked the beginning of a long tradition, with opera being performed in the Arena every year without interruption, except during wartime and the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Arena di Verona, with its capacity of 15,000 spectators, is the largest open-air opera house in the world. Performances traditionally begin at dusk, with spectators bringing small candles (the "mocoleto") that are lit as darkness falls, creating a unique and magical atmosphere.

Many renowned singers have made their names and careers at the Arena di Verona Festival. In 1929, Beniamino Gigli captivated audiences with his appearances in Flotow's Martha, while between 1947 and 1954, Maria Callas was a regular performer, creating a sensation in Ponchielli's La Gioconda.

In addition to opera, the Arena has hosted classical ballets, traditional dances from various countries, and even Maurice Béjart's choreographed Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in 1976. The festival has also featured notable directors and designers who have added distinctive elements to productions, such as Georg Wilhelm Pabst's water pool for Aida in 1953, which has since become a prominent feature of many opera productions in Verona.