|
||
Verona Travel Guide Verona Arena Holiday AttractionVerona Arena is the best-preserved amphitheatre in the world. It is the second most famous in Italy, after the Roman Colosseum. It hosted gladiator fights. It was nearly destroyed by an earthquake and then rebuilt. The venue is located in Piazza Bra and surrounded by restaurants. It continues to attract spectators today thanks to its program of high-profile open-air operas. Also concerts by some of the biggest artists in popular music. Tours of the inside are available even if you don't go to see the opera. History of Verona ArenaThe arena was built in 30 AD, some 40 years before construction began on the Colosseum. Its original capacity of 30,000 made it the third-largest amphitheatre in Italy. Those in Rome and Capua were the only bigger ones. Like its contemporaries, it staged bloody gladiator fights between both man and beast. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the arena suffered much neglect. During the Middle Ages it was only occasionally put to use, for jousts and executions. Much of the structure's outer ring was destroyed by an earthquake in 1117. Also nearly all of the facade's distinctive pink and white marble was scavenged for use on other buildings. It took the dawning of the Renaissance for the Veronese to once again take pride in their greatest landmark. From the 15th century onwards the amphitheatre was gradually restored and put back to use, playing host to theatrical shows. Verona Opera - Saviour of the ArenaThe first opera to be staged here was a production of Aida. This was performed in 1913 to mark the centenary of the birth of its composer, Giuseppe Verdi. The show's organisers, the tenor Giovanni Zenatello and the theatre impresario Ottone Rovato, took on a big financial risk with the production. It turned out to be a resounding success and many more shows followed thereafter. Verona Opera Tickets and SeasonToday's opera season in Verona runs throughout the summer. Usually this is from from June to the end of August. Ballets, classical and popular music concerts take place the rest of the year. You can get full information about the season and buy tickets at the officialVerona Arena Opera site. A Unique Night at the OperaWhen you travel to Verona a night at the opera will be a very unique experience. Firstly, its natural acoustics negate the need for microphones (a true testament to Roman engineering). Secondly there's the open-air atmosphere. Watching a performance underneath the stars on a hot summer's night is a magical experience. Thirdly, to help with the mood, every spectator is handed a small candle (known as "mocoleto") upon entry. These are lit simultaneously when the show begins. They make for a truly enchanting sight as dusk and darkness comes. You can enjoy the opera for free on a Verona holiday. Well not quite free, but you do not have to have a ticket. You can hear a performance from outside in Piazza Bra. Just get there early, order a meal to savour at one of the many restaurants. Then stay on to enjoy some drinks afterwards. As long as you keep ordering, staff will continue to serve you. It is worth booking a table in advance as these events are extremely popular. However, there are some drawbacks to watching a show outdoors. The most obvious being that one is open to the elements. If it begins to rain before or during the performance, the show is either delayed until later in the evening, or cancelled completely. If the rain begins before the performance, refunds are given. If it begins after the first note is struck, they aren't. You Don't Have to See Opera to See InsideIf you just want to see the building itself and not a show, guided tours are available. These highlight the arena's ancient architecture and backstage mechanics. |
||
