Verona Arena Festival | News Music & Opera

Happy Birthday, Roberto Bolle!

admin_mowp — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 13:04:55 +0000

Time flies! And since last Thursday, it has been marking the milestones of an exceptional career. Roberto Bolle has just celebrated his 50th birthday, with more than 33 of those years spent on the stage of La Scala di Milano.

A dancer of international stature, he quickly established himself among the great figures of ballet. As early as 2002, he performed before Queen Elizabeth II for her Jubilee, a performance broadcast by the BBC and watched worldwide. Then, two years later, he danced before Pope John Paul II during World Youth Day, further cementing his presence on the global artistic scene.

Beyond his role as Principal Dancer at La Scala Ballet, Roberto Bolle was also named Principal at the American Ballet Theatre following the farewell of his iconic partner, Alessandra Ferri. He has also been a regular guest at the prestigious Mariinsky Theatre, sharing the stage with the legendary Svetlana Zakharova, herself a star of both La Scala and the Mariinsky.

Since January 21, 1994, he has performed in both classical and contemporary productions at La Scala Ballet, continuing his career with the same intensity and passion. And at 50, he is still leading the dance!

At the same time, Roberto Bolle is the driving force behind the Roberto Bolle and Friends gala events, which have brought together ballet stars and young talents for extraordinary performances since 2008. These internationally acclaimed shows have contributed to the transmission and global influence of dance for 17 years.

This summer, the star dancer will take the stage at his gala in Rome on July 15 and 16, 2025, as well as at the Verona Arena Festival, offering audiences the chance to witness his ever-captivating performances live.

To attend in Rome or in Verona Roberto Bolle and Friends, click here!

Then if you want to know more about La Scala’s news, click here!

Roberto Bolle at the Verona Arena Festival – c – Andrej Uspenski

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Verona: A Step Closer to Modernity?

admin_mowp — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 09:00:32 +0000

Since the renowned soprano Cecilia Gasdia took over as artistic director, the iconic Verona Arena Festival has once again become a must-attend event for all opera stars. Following the grandeur of its 100th anniversary and a 2024 season featuring over eight productions, the Festival dell’Arena di Verona 2025 promises numerous headline-making concerts, including a gala with Jonas Kaufmann, and five opera productions with a touch of modernity. The new production of Verdi’s Nabucco, a staple of the Arena’s repertoire, has been entrusted to Stefano Poda, who previously staged the spectacular Aida for the Festival’s centenary, complete with dazzling special effects. Poda’s production will also return in 2025, alongside three other works firmly rooted in tradition: La Traviata, in Hugo De Ana’s timeless staging, and Rigoletto, presented in a historically inspired production. To mark the 150th anniversary of Carmen and the passing of its illustrious composer, Georges Bizet, Franco Zeffirelli’s monumental production—a true Festival classic—will also make a return. This year will additionally celebrate 30 years of this legendary staging!

Find all the dates for the Verona Arena Festival

(c) Verona Arena Festival

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Jonas Kaufmann in the Arena after Anna Netrebko

admin_mowp — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 09:36:20 +0000

The great Verona Arena Festival is gradually announcing its cast. After the announcement of superstar Anna Netrebko (on August 2, 9 and 16 2024) in Puccini‘s Tosca, it will be Jonas Kaufmann‘s turn to come to the legendary Verona stage to sing in the composer’s masterpiece on the occasion of his anniversary year. The superstar tenor will not be the only one to shine on 30 August 2024, as he will be accompanied by Ludovic Tézier, the implacable Scarpia opposite the superb Elena Stikhina, who performs as Tosca in Hugo De Ana‘s production.

Discover Tosca by director Hugo De Ana

© Olga Rubio Dalmau ; Gregor Hohenberg

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The new Queen of the Arena

admin_mowp — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 09:00:37 +0000

The Verona Arena Festival, to be held from June 8 to September 7, 2024, has just revealed the cast, but only of one production for the time being. Crowned Queen of Ice in Turandot in 2021, Queen of Egypt in Aida in 2022, Anna Netrebko confirms her place as the new muse of the world’s largest open-air festival, as she returns to the stage as Tosca in Puccini‘s big year. The diva in the firmament will be on stage on August 2, 9 and 16, alongside Yusif Eyvazov (Mario Cavaradossi) and Luca Salsi (Scarpia).

Discover Tosca at the Verona Arena Festival

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Verona Arena 2024, 101, 7 & 5!

admin_mowp — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 09:15:10 +0000

After a grandiose 2023 season that marked its 100th anniversary, the Verona Arena Festival has just put the shows for the 2024 edition on sale. From 8 June to 7 September, there will be five special evenings, including a dance show by Roberto Bolle and, above all, seven opera titles, including a tribute to Puccini. To mark the 100th anniversary of his death, Turandot, Tosca (with Anna Netrebko for two dates) and a special Bohème with an exceptional cast will be on the bill, as will the traditional Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia, Bizet’s Carmen and Verdi’s Aida. Two versions of the masterpiece are on stage: Gianfranco de Bosio‘s classic staging (dating from 1913) and Stefano Poda‘s more glitzy version, which marked the 100th anniversary celebrations at the Arena.

Discover the 2024 season of Arena di Verona Festival

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