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A cruise experience that’s worth singing about
The magic of the opera combined with the adventure of a cruise holiday? Yes please! At the world-renowned Verona Opera Festival, there’s no better way to experience the iconic Italian art form than at the centre of its heart and home.
And with this year marking its 101st instalment, there’s even more reason to celebrate. So let’s get you joining in on all that joy with one of our incredible Verona cruise packages.
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All the best cruise lines, including MSC, Costa, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean, are waiting to sweep you away on an experience at sea and on land like no other. Plus, with our Smart Packages you'll get a stay in Verona where you will experience the Verona Opera and return flights from the UK in the deal. You might even get double lucky and have some free drinks packages and other extras coming your way, too!
Prepared to be dazzled and amazed by some of the world’s premier operatic stars!
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Aida, tells the story of an Ethiopian princess, Aida, who falls in love with an Egyptian warrior, Radames, during a time of war between their countries. premiered at the Khedivial Opera House in Cairo in 1871 and has since become one of the most popular operas in the repertoire, beloved for its dramatic story line.
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Carmen, tells the story of a fiery and independent woman, Carmen, who works in a cigarette factory and seduces a soldier, Don José, who ultimately descends into jealousy and violence. Carmen, premiered at the Opéra-Comique in Paris in 1875, but was initially met with mixed reviews. However, it has since become one of the most performed operas in the world.
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Turandot is based on the Persian folktale of the same name and tells the story of a cold-hearted Chinese princess, Turandot, who challenges her suitors to answer three riddles or face death. The opera is known for its grandeur and includes several famous arias, including Nessun dorma, Premiered at La Scala in Milan in 1926, Turandot has become a beloved classic of the operatic repertoire.
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Rigoletto, tells the story of a hunchbacked court jester, Rigoletto, who tries to protect his daughter, Gilda, from the lecherous Duke of Mantua. The opera features several famous arias, including, La donna e mobile and Caro nome, and is known for its dramatic storyline and complex characters. Rigoletto premiered at La Fenice in Venice in 1851 and was an immediate success.
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La Traviata, tells the story of a Parisian courtesan, Violetta Valéry, who falls in love with a young nobleman, Alfredo Germont. The opera features several famous arias, including Sempre libera and Addio del passato, and is known for its poignant music and tragic storyline. La Traviata premiered at La Fenice in Venice in 1853 and has gone on to become one of the worlds most loved Opera's.
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Nabucco is loosely based on the biblical story of the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian captivity of the Jewish people. The opera features several famous arias, including Va Pensiero, which has become a symbol of Italian unity and nationalism. Nabucco premiered at La Scala in Milan in 1842 and is known for its powerful choruses, dramatic storyline, and soaring music.
Whether you know your Nabucco from your Rigoletto or you’re a bit of an opera newbie, there’s one thing everyone should understand about the Verona Opera Festival: it’s the crowning jewel of the season.
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From June to September, the city’s immense first-century amphitheatre becomes the setting for one of the world’s largest open-air musical events, including the Aida, the opera which symbolises the arena like nothing else. It’s music to anyone’s ears, but the fun actually starts before the conductor even lifts his baton.
Ahead of the arias, you’ll indulge in an al fresco picnic (with a glass or two of vino, of course) as the sun sets, soaking up in the atmosphere while evening draws in. As for the performances themselves, how does world class sound? Believe us when we say that what you’ll witness here is exceptional. Incredible acoustics, unreal ambience, and the chance to experience it all right in the middle of one of Italy’s most beautiful cities. Who wouldn’t love a bit of that?
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