Arena di Verona, Veneto, Italy

5JEP01 5:00 PM Jul 5, 2022

Spettacolare!
Like other reviewers, this was our 3rd attempt to get to the Opera Festival because of Covid. Unlike others, we had a truly excellent night at the opera which lived up to our expectations. Perhaps it depends on the opera? - Aida started on time and the one interval where there was a scenery change, kept to time. It was truly spectacular. As a once in a lifetime experience, we did splash out on VIP tickets and were very close to the orchestra and stage. It was a hot night and the dress code was enforced. We were amused by a story of a fellow Scottish opera goer who had trouble getting in because of his (very smart) kilt (shorts are not allowed)! The day before the opera, we took a look inside the Arena using our Verona card and were happy to sit and watch the scenery being set up. It is quite a logistic challenge. Walking around the outside of the arena, you also get to see all the scenery waiting to be lifted by crane on to the stage.

4Heather R 5:00 PM Jul 2, 2022

Brilliant but……..
We saw La Traviata on July 2nd. Out tickets had rolled over from 2020 and all we had to pay was an extra 10 euros to keep VIP tickets. Unfortunately, although I had the correct tickets, they wouldn’t scan and we had to go to the Information Desk to get them stamped. If this happened to me I’m presuming it happened to many more people. It was 39degrees so we were hot and sticky and, by the time we got our tickets sorted, it was nearly time for the opera to start. Only, there was a problem with the scenery and some items had to be craned over the stage. It was 50 mins late starting, the first act ended after 30 mins. Between acts hoards of crew clambered over the stage, for me, detracting from the overall performance. La Traviata was amazing to see, superb singing and in that wonderful setting. However, the scenery was too ambitious and unnecessary. The act set in Paris was simply stunning however. Instead of ending at midnight it actually ended at 1 15am. For the VIP area men wore trousers, no shorts, some were in black tie - in that heat! The ladies were all beautifully dressed, ranging from formal evening gowns to summer dresses.