Culture

Authentic experiences

Music in Italy takes the form of numerous famous and not so famous festivals of opera and concerts as well as regular performances at world-famous theatres in the major cities . We can secure you seats at almost any festival or performance you may be interested in . Tickets for the very popular performances do get sold very far in advance , so do please let us know as soon as you can and we will do our best to reserve you tickets for the performance of your choice .

Verona Festival

The Verona Festival is the highpoint of the Italian opera lover ’ s year . Verona ’ s Roman Arena , where gladiators once battled , has been the magnificent setting for the most famous opera festival in the world since 1913 . The stage is the biggest in the world and the arena holds 15,000 spectators during its season from the end of June until the end of August . There is a great choice of ticket prices according to the location and comfort of you seat . We can give you immediate availability of the seats you want and let you know when we have booked them and exactly where in the arena they are . Tickets must be prepaid at the time of booking and they are non-refundable . ( A handling charge is added to the face value of your ticket if you ask any agent in the UK to make the reservation for you ). The organisers reserve the right to change the programme . Suggested holiday Stay at the Gabbia d ' Oro for three nights during the festival and let us book you seats in the 2nd sector stalls for one performance ( based on Sunday to Thursday night performances ). Flights with British airways from Gatwick to Verona both ways , Euro Traveller included and a private transfer from the airport to the hotel and back . Bed and breakfast included . Prices from about £ 1,180 per person .

Puccini Festival

Puccini was born in nearby Lucca in 1858 but from about 1891 and covering his most productive years , he spent most of his time at Torre del Lago , a small community about fifteen miles from Lucca . By 1900 he had acquired land and built a villa on the lake , now known as the ' Villa Museo Puccini '. He lived there until 1921 when pollution produced by peat works on the lake forced him to move to Viareggio , a few kilometres north . After his death , a mausoleum was created in the Villa Puccini and the composer is buried there in the chapel , along with his wife and son who died later . The ' Villa Museo Puccini ' is presently owned by his granddaughter , Simonetta Puccini , and is open to the public . His works included La Boheme , Tosca and Madama Butterfly . Each year in July and August his life and works are celebrated with a festival of opera at Torre del Lago . Suggested holiday Stay at the hotel Bagni di Pisa ( 30 mins drive from Torre del Lago ), for four nights during the opera festival and let us book you 2nd sector seats for one performance . Flights with British Airways from Heathrow or Gatwick to Pisa , Euro Traveller , are included and use of a Group B hire-car during your stay . Bed and breakfast included at the hotel . Half-board can be booked on request . Prices from about £ 1,650 per person .

Verona festival programme 2019 Puccini festival programme 2019

Camina Burana Aug 11

Placido Domingo 50th Anniversary Night August 4

Prices for Verona Ticket prices for the performances vary from about £ 30 per person for an unreserved stone step to £ 225 per person for a 1st sector stall Gold on a Friday and Saturday . Most people opt for at least a numbered seat on the steps at about £ 90 per person or a 2nd sector stall at about £ 130 per person . Tickets are non-refundable once bought .

Aida ( G . Verdi ) August 2

Prices for Puccini festival Ticket prices vary from about £ 40 per person for a 4th sector seat to about £ 170 per person for a Gold seat . Many opt for a 2nd sector seat at about £ 90 per person . Tickets are non-refundable once bought .

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