Verona, the city of love and passion, is also renowned for its captivating opera performances. Set in the magnificent Arena di Verona, these open-air spectacles transport audiences to another world.
The grandeur of the ancient Roman amphitheater, built in the 1st century AD and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, combined with the world-class talent of the performers, creates an unforgettable experience that captures the essence of Italian opera.
As the evening sun sets, the stage comes alive with powerful voices and dramatic performances. The opera performances in Verona are truly mesmerizing.
To fully appreciate this evening, we decided to eat at Ristorante Torcolo, a fine dining restaurant and lovely place to linger before a 9:15pm performance.Wow! This Versace charger was very elegantThe famous pappardella with black truffle which is a scorzone from Lesdinia and Mount Veronese cheese fondue.Our waitress came over with what looked like a treasure chest full of charcoal briquettes. She asked if I would like her to shave some black truffle on the pasta. I asked for her opinion and she said most definitely!!
The table next to us ordered this risotto with a signature treble clef design. We were impressed. However, when we ordered dessert, the lady was impressed with my gelato served on a golden mirrored platter. A huge helping of vanilla with six different toppings! I had just finished when they brought out another dessert for both of us. I captured Rob’s face in the platter!!
Chef Luca Barca agreed to pose with us outside the restaurant. His family has been running Torcolo for generations.
It is 8:15pm and time to go to the nearby arena.
This might have been a fun dessert if I hadn’t already had TWO.The Piazza Bra is buzzing with activity.No dogs allowed. I am sure that this little guy could not handle a four hour opera!!
The opera Carmen by George Bizet premiered in Paris 150 years ago and was not well received. Today’s performance is dedicated to Bizet. Bizet died a few months after the premiere never knowing that Carmen would become famous and be in every operatic repertoire.
It is so hot (96⁰F) that the assembled crowd and their fluttering fans look like a kaleidoscope of butterflies.
Carmen is written and performed in French and is set in Sevilla, Spain. We are able to read English translations on a digital display.
Act 1: Carmen is a flirt and fickle. She throws herself at José.Between acts, this character came out to announce that you need to get to your seats.Act 2: José is totally captivated by Carmen who demands that he demonstrate his love by deserting his military commitment and run away with her. HE DOES!!Act 3: Carmen is bored with José and now more interested in the popular bullfighter or Toreador named Escamillo.
My dad always sang alternate words to this song:
Toreador-a Don't spit on the floor-a Use the Cuspidor-a That's what it's for-a
Act 4: If I can’t have her, no one can. José kills Carmen. I have heard of modern takes on this age old story.
The curtain call has over 500 actors!
Carmen shocked audiences at its 1875 premiere with its depiction of sexuality and on-stage murder.
OH WHAT A NIGHT!!!!!Now they will replace the Carmen set with the set for tomorrow’s performance of La Traviata.
Leave a Reply