The 87th Arena Festival 2009 presents some of the most beautiful Operas, best loved by both Italian and foreign audiences. The summer season opens on 19th June with G. Bizet’s Carmen. Following this, on 20th June is Aida by G. Verdi, while on 26th June the performance will be Turandot by G. Puccini. The Barber of Seville by G. Rossini will debut on 11th July and finally the first night of G. Puccini’s Tosca will be held on 15th August. Before each performance in the Arena you can take advantage of our Anteprima Opera (Introduction to the Opera) consisting of an enjoyable and elegant afternoon of conversation about music held by an expert accompanied by a top-level soloist opera singer who will talk the Guests through the plot and the main features of the Opera to be performed that evening. This event will be held in the wonderful setting of the Palazzo Verità Poeta (18th century) just a few hundred yards from the Roman Arena. The musical conversation is followed by the wine tasting of an excellent wine accompanied by a lavish cocktail buffet based on typical local foods.
The Anteprima Opera Program:
6.15 pm Meeting at the Palazzo Verità Poeta, just a short distance from the Arena;
6.30 pm “Musical Coversation” based on the Opera to be performed that same evening in the Arena;
7.15 pm Presentation and “Tasting” of an excellent Doc. Wine;
7.30 pm Cocktail Buffet, featuring some of the best specialities from Veneto traditions of cuisine;
8.30 pm End of program.
Second Day: A Tour around the Veronese countryside to discover hidden treasures amidst wines and flavours; art and culture. Medieval Towns and Castles between Verona and Padua
9.00 am  Departure from the centre of Verona
9.45 am  Visit to a Medieval Town as part of the Medieval Town and Castles Tour;
11.00 am  Visit to a vineyard producing Soave or C.Eugenei wines with wine-tasting;
1.00 pm  Stop in a second Medieval Town;
2.30 pm  Lunch break (not included in price) and visit;
5.00 pm  Arrival in Verona.
The package includes:
 2 overnight stays for 2 people in a double room with breakfast;
 2 VeronaCard valid for 3 days, which will give you free entry to the following museums and historical buildings: the Roman Arena, the Lamberti Tower, Juliet’s House, Juliet’s Tomb and the adjacent Fresco Museum “G.B Cavalcaselle”, the Roman Theatre with its Archeological Museum; the Maffeiano Headstone Museum, Castelvecchio Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Museum of Period Radios, the Canonical Museum and to the 4 Historical Churches. In addition to all this the same Card allows you unlimited use of public transport throughout the city centre;
 2 wine tastings of 2 wines at one of the participating wine bars in the heart of the city centre. The tasting comprises 1 glass of Soave and 1 of Valpolicella Classico per person;
 2 tickets for the Anteprima Opera, musical conversation, wine-tasting and Cocktail Buffet;
 2 unreserved stone step tickets for an Arena performance;
 2 tickets for the Tour “Wine, Art and Flavours” dedicated to the Medieval Towns and Castles between Verona and Padua.