TRAVELFOR THE ARTS SPRING, SUMMER & AUTUMN FESTIVALS 2019

OPERA, BALLET CLASSICAL MUSIC HOLIDAYS

NEW TOURS FOR 2019

OPERA & ZARZUELA ARTS & CULTURE IN BILBAO IN MINSK page 8 page 10

CHOPIN & BALLET GARSINGTON OPERA IN WARSAW & THE GETTY LIBRARY page 17 page 23

www.travelforthearts.com +44 20 8799 8350 [email protected] welcome

welcome to the world of OPERA, DANCE, CLASSICAL MUSIC & ARTS HOLIDAYS

With over 30 years experience, Travel for the Arts understands what it takes to put together quality tours that offer unique and unforgettable experiences for opera, ballet and classical music lovers.

Once again, we have taken exceptional care in programming a number of specialized group tours that will enable you to visit countries old and new, whilst experiencing a choice of the best that the performing arts world has to offer. In this 2019 Spring, Summer and Autumn brochure you will find a wide range of destinations and musical moments that we hope will tempt you.

Holidays are a special time and here at Travel for the Arts we aspire to make yours one to remember!

Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com SPRING, SUMMER AND AUTUMN BOOKING DETAILS FESTIVALS 2019

All tours mentioned in this brochure (as well as additional tours) We have taken great care in selecting for you the following are available to view online at www.travelforthearts.com programme of opera, ballet and classical music taking place Many of our holidays are filled very quickly after the brochure throughout the Spring, Summer and Autumn of 2019 in the UK, launch. Sometimes they are fully booked after appearing on our Europe and beyond. website or as advance information in our Newsletter, so we would encourage you to book early if you are interested in one of our group tours. CONTENTS Page Tours with late availability 4 MAKE AN ENQUIRY Tours 5 – 35 You can make an enquiry about one of our tours in three ways: À la Carte information 36 – 37 • Call us on 020 8799 8350 • Email [email protected] CALENDAR OF TOURS • Visit our website www.travelforthearts.com and make a booking enquiry by going into the tour and completing Date Tour the Booking Enquiry Form. 15 – 20 Mar Czech Culture, Castles and Classical Music 6 If space is available on the tour of your choice you will be 1 – 6 May Omaggio a Palladio Festival 7 given a 7-day option. 20 – 24 May Opera and Zarzuela in Bilbao 8 24 – 27 May Opera and Ballet in Riga 9 COMPLETE A BOOKING FORM 26 – 31 May Arts and Culture in Minsk 10 Once you have your option, we require a completed booking form. This can be downloaded from our website 30 May – 2 Jun Blackwater Valley Opera Festival 11 http://www.travelforthearts.com/how-to-book/ 3 – 7 Jun Cultural Feasts in Tallinn 12 When you return your booking form we require your 7 – 11 Jun The Salzburg Whitsun Festival 13 deposit or full payment (see Late bookings). You must 10 – 17 Jun Mountains, Museums and Music in Georgia 14 – 15 read and agree to the Terms and Conditions. 14 – 17 Jun The Opéra Royal at Versailles 16 27 Jun – 1 Jul Chopin and Ballet in Warsaw 17 LATE BOOKINGS If you book within 8 weeks of departure, you will need to provide 28 Jun – 1 Jul Swiss Alps Classics Festival 18 a credit/debit card number or send us a cheque for the full amount 6 – 13 Jul Opera in Historical Sofia and Plovdiv 19 of the holiday. 13 – 16 Jul 40th Anniversary at Buxton Festival Opera 20 13 – 17 Jul Festivities in Aix-en-Provence 21 BOOKING REFERENCE 13 – 17 Jul Verdi in Spain 22 When you make an enquiry you will be given a booking 18 – 22 Jul Garsington Opera and the Getty Library 23 reference. Please quote your booking reference on all subsequent correspondence. 20 – 24 Jul Bregenz Festival – a unique opera stage 24 1 – 5 Aug Macerata Opera Festival 25 MOBILITY 2 – 5 Aug A Celebration of Plácido Domingo in Verona 26 – 27 Please note that most tours involve walking tours of approximately 17 – 21 Aug The Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro 28 3 hours. If you have difficulty with mobility you may be asked to sit 28 Aug – 2 Sep The Salzburg Festival 29 out some of the activities on the itinerary. 10 – 14 Sep Outstanding artists at the Enescu Festival 30 PERFORMANCE TICKETS in Bucharest All performance tickets are subject to confirmation. This is due to 2 – 6 Oct The Verdi Festival in Parma 31 the differences in the way opera houses administer their ticket sales and the limited availability of certain performances. We will inform TOURS IN ASSOCIATION WITH CARPENTER HOLIDAYS you at the point of booking when we expect to receive confirmation 21 – 25 Mar Printemps des Arts in Monte Carlo 32 – 33 of the performance tickets; in most cases this will be 12 weeks prior 29 May – 2 Jun Bergfrühling Festival in Ossiach 34 – 35 to departure, although this can vary depending on the destination. SEATING ARRANGEMENTS For all included performances we obtain best available tickets (as specified by the venue). However many of the older theatres in All information is available on our website www.travelforthearts.com. Europe have non-staggered rows, little rake, cramped legroom and All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays in this brochure are financially sometimes poor sightlines. Please be assured that we do our best to protected by the ATOL scheme under ATOL no.2178. When you pay for a flight request the best available tickets for all performances but that, on inclusive holiday you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other occasion, allowances might need to be made for the age and layout services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information of the venue. or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate OPENING HOURS Our office hours are Monday – Friday 9.30am to 5.30pm. We are closed on UK public holidays. There is an answerphone and we will return any out-of-hours telephone calls on the next working day if you leave your name and telephone number.

Travel For The Arts 12-15 Hanger Green London W5 3EL UK Telephone: +44 20 8799 8350 Fax: +44 20 8998 7965 DIDO AND AENEAS BY FESTIVAL D’AIX-EN-PROVENCE © VINCENT PONTET E-mail: [email protected] COVER IMAGE: THE SLEEPING BEAUTY BY ESTONIAN NATIONAL OPERA www.travelforthearts.com 31 welcome

EXPERTS IN CULTURAL TRAVEL

All our tours are led by travel experts, and many of our tour managers are also professional musicians and music specialists. Below is a selection of the many people who work with us to ensure that you have the best experience possible.

Simon Rees is a freelance writer, lecturer Stephen Carpenter has planned and led and translator. For 23 years he was several tours in association with us over dramaturg at Welsh National Opera. the last three years and continues to offer tours to music festivals with his company, Carpenter Holidays.

Carol Savage is a professional concert Patrick Mylon will be familiar to many and opera singer, with a degree in History of our guests, having tour managed for of Art from London University. over 10 years. He is a true opera fan, particularly of Wagner, and has attended more than 10 Ring Cycles.

Zita Stockwell has been leading our Eva Gordon-Smith is a consultant, lecturer tours for over 25 years and is an expert and Blue Badge Guide. She has been on many destinations, particularly her managing concert tours in a number of native Budapest. She is a keen opera European countries for 25 years. and concert attendee.

David Waite is a professional Blue Badge Raffaella Golinucci is a freelance Tourist Guide and also the Founder & professional Tour Manager and has Director of Guiding You Ltd, a tour guiding worked in the music business for many and training company. years. She also often looks after well- known musicians.

TRAVEL FOR THE ARTS TEAM

Richard Savage Joel Rubenstein Pablo Basombrio Vanessa Kyriacou Mark Saunsbury C.E.O. Head of Tour Sales and Product Manager à la Carte Operations Reservations Reservations Manager Manager

NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

We are delighted to be able to offer our single travellers the opportunity to book some of our tours with No Single Supplement. Please look out for this features in the introduction box of the relevant tour.

2 Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com BROCHURE HIGHLIGHTS

BLACKWATER VALLEY OPERA FESTIVAL 30 May – 2 June Tour code: ORK1 Price from £1575 pp This is our first tour to Blackwater Valley Opera Festival near Cork and with a focus on Irish singers and music it is bound to charm and delight. A particular highlight is Donizetti’s Don Pasquale which will be staged in the stableyard of Lismore Castle – a magical backdrop for an enchanting evening. page 11

MOUNTAINS, MUSEUMS AND MUSIC IN GEORGIA 10 – 17 June Tour code: TBS1 Price from £1875 pp Home to the imposing Caucasus Mountains, this tour allows you to explore stunning landscapes, taste world- class Georgian wines and attend a performance of Verdi’s Macbeth at the richly-decorated State Theatre. page 14 – 15

A CELEBRATION OF PLÁCIDO DOMINGO IN VERONA 2 – 5 August Tour code: VRN1 Price from £1895 pp A special night is dedicated to Plácido Domingo who celebrates his Golden Anniversary at the Arena di Verona. There is also the option to hear this great artist conduct Bizet’s Carmen. page 26 – 27

THE ENESCU FESTIVAL IN BUCHAREST 10 – 14 September Tour code: BUC1 Price from £1835 pp Sir Bryn Terfel, Leif Ove Andsnes, Gautier Capuçon, Vasily Petrenko, Valery Gergiev and Maxim Vengerov are amongst the great names appearing at one of the largest classical music festivals in Europe. page 30

VIVA LA MAMMA BY THE THEATRE OF THE ESTATES © PATRIK BORECKÝ Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com 3 Remember we can book 2019 WINTER AND SPRING from local airports - please TOURS WITH LATE AVAILABILITY contact us for a quote.

On these pages we offer a reminder of current tours on sale which still have some availability. Please see our website www.travelforthearts.com for more details, and telephone us on +44 20 8799 8350 or email [email protected] to reserve your place.

FROM FROM £1375 £1995 per person per person

WAGNER IN DRESDEN THE BERLIN FESTTAGE 28 February – 3 March 2019 Tour Code: DRS1 16 – 20 April 2019 Tour Code: BER1 Two Wagner works combine in this long weekend to Dresden; Der fliegende Holländer Daniel Barenboim’s Easter Festival is a highlight of Berlin’s vibrant cultural season. and Tannhäuser, both featuring Georg Zeppenfeld amongst their casts, while our Our 2019 tour includes two operas performed at the refurbished Staatsoper Unter sightseeing programme gives an overview to the city of Augustus the Strong. den Linden; new productions of Prokofiev’s Die Verlobung im Kloster, and Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg on Good Friday. We also attend a concert of the Berlin Tour highlights: Staatskapelle with soprano Anna Netrebko led by Daniel Barenboim in the Philharmonie. • No single supplement • 4-star accommodation on the banks of the Elbe Tour highlights: • Selected sightseeing including walking tour of Dresden and Wackerbarth Castle • 4-star accommodation in the heart of the city • First category ticket for two performances • Selected sightseeing including 17th-century Charlottenburg Palace • Best available tickets for three performances

FROM FROM £1990 £2295 per person per person

THE RING IN CHEMNITZ STRAUSS & WAGNER IN VIENNA 17 – 23 April 2019 Tour Code: CHZ1 22 – 25 April 2019 Tour Code: VIE1 We are delighted to present the opportunity to attend the new Ring Cycle from the Chemnitz The majestic Vienna State Opera presents productions from two Richards this spring; Opera, which has placed the theme of ‘woman’ at the heart of its debate. Each opera is staged Salome by Richard Strauss and Parsifal by Richard Wagner, the latter conducted by by a different female director; Verena Stoiber for Das Rheingold, Monique Wagemakers for Die Valery Gergiev and featuring a fine cast including Matthias Goerne and René Pape. There Walküre, Sabine Hartmannshenn for Siegfried and Elisabeth Stöppler for Götterdämmerung. is also the option to attend a performance of Beethoven’s Fidelio, while our sightseeing programme focusses on the history of music and culture in the Imperial capital. Tour highlights: • 4-star accommodation in the heart of the city Tour highlights: • Selected sightseeing including walking tour of the town and visit to the art nouveau • 5-star accommodation in the elegant Hotel Bristol, located next to the Vienna State Opera Villa Esche • Selected sightseeing including St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Mozarthaus and Spanish • First category ticket for four performances Riding School • First category ticket for three performances

4 Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com spring, summer & autumn festivals 2019

SPRING, SUMMER AND AUTUMN TOURS New destinations, stunning scenery, great artists and Domingo celebrations are all part of the Spring, Summer and Autumn tours on offer in 2019. From England to Ireland, Macerata to Minsk, we hope to tempt you with our wide array of cultural offerings. Favourite festivals such as Bregenz, Parma, Pesaro, Salzburg and Verona are included alongside the musical riches of the Enescu Festival in Bucharest, the Swiss Alps Classics Festival and Blackwater Valley Opera Festival in Ireland.

SUNSET AERIAL VIEW OF VERONA Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com 5 opera

CZECH CULTURE, CASTLES AND CLASSICAL MUSIC

Price from £1595 pp

15 – 20 March 2019 Tour code: PRG1 The charming Czech city of Prague hosts a varied programme of classic operas, including Donizetti’s Viva la Mamma at the intimate Theatre of the Estates, Giordano's Andrea Chénier at the National Theatre and Puccini’s Turandot in the magnificent neo-baroque Karlin Theatre. A full sightseeing programme will showcase the highlights of this most delightful of Central European cities.

VIVA LA MAMMA BY THE THEATRE OF THE ESTATES © PATRIK BORECKÝ

FRI 15 MAR Lunchtime arrival in Prague and transfer to MON 18 MAR This morning we tour the renowned WED 20 MAR Morning at leisure for shopping or the 5-star Hotel Paris located within the Old Town and Castle District, visiting the Old Royal Palace, St sightseeing. Late morning transfer to the airport for just a few minutes’ walk from Wenceslas Square. In the George’s Basilica (the best preserved Romanesque your homeward flight. evening we walk to the Old Town for a Mozart Dinner church in Prague) and Golden Lane, finishing with a experience combining a three-course meal with live transfer on a vintage tram to Prague Castle. Lunch performances of selected Mozart opera arias and duets. and the afternoon is at leisure before the evening performance at the National Theatre. SAT 16 MAR Join your guide for a walking tour of the Old Town including seeing the astronomical clock, TUE 19 MAR Today we embark on a half-day excursion Charles Bridge and Jewish quarter. Lunch and dinner to the birthplace of Dvořák in the historic village of are under own arrangements. Nelahozeves. Occupied from the 10th century, the site contains the 14th century church of St Andrew and a SUN 17 MAR In the morning we join our guide for a Vltava Renaissance castle. Lunch is at a local restaurant and River cruise with coffee and cake before transferring to afternoon at leisure before the evening performance the Theatre of the Estates for the afternoon performance. at the State Opera (in the Karlin Theatre). Dinner is served at the Sarah Bernhardt Restaurant.

PROGRAMME FLIGHTS

17 Mar 14:00 VIVA LA MAMMA Donizetti Inc British Airways D: Radim Vizvăřry 15 Mar London Heathrow - Prague dep: 09:20 arr: 12:25 C: Enrico Dovico 20 Mar Prague - London Heathrow dep: 14:25 arr: 15:40 Cast includes: Jana Sibera, Roman Janál, Flight schedules are subject to alteration. Jiří Brückler, Roman Hoza, Jana Horáková Flights from other UK airports can be arranged on request. Levicová, Martin Šrejma. Venue: Theatre of the Estates PRICE (PER PERSON)

18 Mar 19:00 ANDREA CHÉNIER Giordano Inc Tour price £1595 D: Michal Dočekal Single room supplement £375 C: Jan Chalupecký Club Europe flight upgrade from £300 Cast includes: Hector Sandoval, Land-only tour price £1475 Svatopluk Sem, Petra Alvarez Šimková, Deposit required £400 Yvona Škvárová, Eliška Weissová, František Tour price includes: Flights and airport taxes, group transfers from and Zahradníček to airport and for included activities where applicable, accommodation, Venue: National Theatre breakfast daily, one lunch, two dinners, sightseeing tours as described including guides and entrance fees, first category ticket for each included 19 Mar 19:00 TURANDOT Puccini Inc performance, opera synopses, restaurant guide and city notes, the services D: Václav Věžník C: Enrico Dovico of our local representative or tour manager. NATIONAL THEATRE Cast includes: Anda-Louise Bogza, Yusif Eyvazov, Oleg Korotkov, Yukiko Kinjo Venue: State Opera (in the Karlin Theatre) 6 Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com classical music

OMAGGIO A PALLADIO FESTIVAL

Price from £2195 pp

1 – 6 May 2019 Tour code: VCZ1 NEW DESTINATION | NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

The Omaggio a Palladio Festival in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Vicenza takes place every spring with world-renowned pianist Sir András Schiff. Including concerts in the spectacular Teatro Olimpico and the Basilica SS. Felice e Fortunato, the tour also highlights the remarkable buildings of Andrea Palladio (1508-1580), whose distinctive style, based on classical principles, is considered to be one of the most influential in the history of architecture.

ANDREA PALLADIO'S TEATRO OLIMPICO IN VICENZA

WED 1 MAY Midday arrival at Venice airport and THU 2 MAY Join your guide for a walking tour of SAT 4 MAY Today we take an excursion to Venice, transfer to Vicenza by coach for check in a the 4-star Vicenza and its renowned Palladian buildings, where a guided tour of the city includes the Palladian Palace Hotel La Conchiglia d’Oro, situated outside including Palazzo Chiericati, Teatro Olimpico sights San Giorgio Maggiore and Il Redentore. Lunch the Old Town and within walking distance of the and Palazzo Thiene, followed by lunch in a local is included in a local restaurant. The rest of the day Teatro Olimpico. A welcome dinner is served at a restaurant. The afternoon is free for independent and evening is at leisure on return to Vicenza. local restaurant. exploration. Dinner is at your hotel followed by SUN 5 MAY Join your guide for a full-day tour to the evening concert at the Teatro Olimpico. Castelfranco Veneto and the Palladian Villa Barbero SIR ANDRÁS SCHIFF FRI 3 MAY Today we travel to Villa Foscari La di Maser, which contains frescoes by Veronese. We Malcontenta, a UNESCO listed villa designed by then continue to Villa Emo, which was designed by Palladio in 1554 and situated on the banks of the Palladio in 1559 for the Emo family. The tour will Brenta Canal which flows between Venice and Padua. include lunch in a local restaurant. Return to Vicenza Upon arrival we will take a guided tour of the house for dinner at the hotel and then transfer to Teatro and gardens and then board a public burchiello boat Olimpico for the final concert. to cruise along the canal to Oriago for lunch in a local MON 6 MAY Check out this morning and restaurant. Arriving back in Vicenza, dinner is then transfer to Venice for your homeward flight. served at the hotel followed by the concert at the Basilica SS. Felice e Fortunato.

PROGRAMME FLIGHTS British Airways 2 May 20:30 CONCERT Inc 3 May 20:30 CONCERT Inc 1 May London Heathrow - Venice dep: 08:55 arr: 12.05 Orchestra: Cappella Andrea Barca Orchestra: Cappella Andrea Barca 6 May Venice - London Heathrow dep: 13.00 arr: 14.20 Director & Piano: Sir András Schiff Director: Sir András Schiff Violin: Erich Höbarth Choir: Schola San Rocco Flight schedules are subject to alteration. Flights from other UK airports can be arranged on request. Viola: Hariolf Schlichtig Programme: J Haydn The Seven Last Words of Cello: Christoph Richter Our Saviour on the Cross, Programme: Beethoven Piano Concerto no.2 Hob XX/2 (Choral version) PRICE (PER PERSON) op. 19, Mozart Piano Quartet KV 478, Beethoven Venue: Basilica SS. Felice e Fortunato Tour price £2195 Piano Concerto no.1 op. 15 Club Europe flight upgrade from £300 Venue: Teatro Olimpico 5 May 20:30 CONCERT Inc Orchestra: Cappella Andrea Barca Land-only tour price £1945 Director & piano: Sir András Schiff Deposit required £400 Programme: JS Bach Ricercare a 6, Mozart Tour price includes: Flights and airport taxes, group transfers Symphony no.41 KV 551, Beethoven Piano from and to airport and for included activities where applicable, accommodation, breakfast daily, one lunch, four dinners, sightseeing Concerto no.5 op. 73 tours as described including guides and entrance fees, first category Venue: Teatro Olimpico ticket for each included performance, restaurant guide and city notes, the services of our local representative or tour manager.

Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com 7 opera

OPERA AND ZARZUELA IN BILBAO

Price from £1695 pp

20 – 24 May 2019 Tour code: BIO1 NEW PRODUCTION

Famed for its Guggenheim Museum with its iconic curved titanium-clad exterior designed by Frank Gehry, this Basque city has so much more to offer including the 14th- century Cathedral and Fine Arts Museum. Visit Gernika, a town that has risen from the ashes and tragic wartime history to become a universal symbol of peace. Attend Bizet’s opera Les Pêcheurs de Perles, with an outstanding cast that includes tenor Javier Camarena and baritone Mariusz Kwiecień, plus a night of Zarzuela.

LES PÊCHEURS DE PERLES © MICHELE CROSERA

MON 20 MAY Late afternoon arrival in Bilbao and a contemporary masterpieces on display. Lunch and short transfer to the 5-star boutique Hotel Ercilla López the afternoon are at leisure before the evening’s de Haro, which is close to the city’s white Zubizuri Zarzuela performance which will be followed by bridge and just a 10-minute walk to the Guggenheim dinner in a local restaurant close to the hotel. Museum. Welcome dinner in a local restaurant. THU 23 MAY A half-day excursion to the Basque town TUE 21 MAY Join your guide in the morning for of Gernika, best-known through Picasso’s fabled a walking tour of Bilbao. Visit the Old Town with painting created in response to the bombing of the its Gothic-style Cathedral dedicated to St James, town by Nazi planes in 1937. Gernika is home to the patron saint of Bilbao, the 19th-century New the Museum of Peace, Peace Park and the Church GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM Square and San Antón Church which is featured, of Santa María, all of which will be visited on the along with the San Antón Bridge, in the city's coat tour. Lunch will then be served in one of the town’s of arms. There will be an opportunity to sample gourmet restaurants before returning to Bilbao. some tapas and drinks before the afternoon at FRI 24 MAY Morning at leisure before transferring leisure. Transfer to the evening performance. to the airport for the flight home. WED 22 MAY Spend the morning at the Guggenheim Museum enjoying a guided visit of some of the

PROGRAMME FLIGHTS

21 May 19.30 LES PÊCHEURS DE PERLES Bizet Inc British Airways PALACIO EUSKALDUNA D: Pier Luigi Pizzi 20 May London Gatwick - Bilbao dep: 14.05 arr: 17.20 C: Francesco Ivan Ciampa 24 May Bilbao - London Gatwick dep: 15.20 arr: 16.40 Cast includes: Javier Camarena, Flight schedules are subject to alteration. Mariusz Kwiecień, Maria-José Moreno Flights from other UK airports can be arranged on request. Venue: Palacio Euskalduna PRICE (PER PERSON) 22 May 19.30 IL FINTO SORDO García Inc D: Paco Azorín Tour price £1695 C: Rubén Fernández Aguirre Single room supplement £200 Cast includes: Cristina Toledo, Club Europe flight upgrade from £250 Gerardo Bullón, César San Martín, Land-only tour price £1550 Carol García, Deposit required £350 Damián del Castillo Tour price includes: Flights and airport taxes, group transfers from and Venue: Sala BBK to airport and for included activities where applicable, accommodation, New production breakfast daily, two dinners, one lunch, tapas and drinks, sightseeing tours as described including guides and entrance fees, first category OLD TOWN ticket for each included performance, opera synopses, restaurant guide and city notes, the services of our local representative or tour manager.

8 Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com opera & ballet

OPERA AND BALLET IN RIGA Price from £1360 pp 24 – 27 May 2019 Tour code: RIX1 NEW PRODUCTION | NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

Known for its architectural legacy, Riga boasts the largest collection of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe, and its Old Town is listed in UNESCO’s prestigious World Heritage List. At the neo- classical Opera House, French director Vincent Boussard brings Poulenc’s powerful opera Dialogues des Carmélites to the Latvian National Opera stage for the first time. This is paired with the Ballet Company’s award-winning production of La Bayadère.

LA BAYADÈRE BY LATVIAN NATIONAL OPERA

FRI 24 MAY Arrive early afternoon in Riga and transfer to the luxurious 5-star Grand Poet Hotel located in the city centre and a 3 minute walk to the Old Town. Relax before a welcome dinner in a local restaurant that evening. SAT 25 MAY This morning meet your guide for a walking tour of the Old Town and its numerous stunning Art Deco buildings. Highlights include the 13th-century Dome Cathedral, Riga Castle, St Peter’s Church and the impressive House of the Blackheads. Lunch will be in a local restaurant after which there will be an opportunity to sample Riga’s famous Black Balsam, a traditional Latvian herbal liqueur. The afternoon is at leisure before the evening RIGA LATVIAN NATIONAL OPERA performance at the Latvian National Opera House. SUN 26 MAY Spend the day at Gauja, the National Park in Sigulda - only an hour’s drive from Riga, but a PROGRAMME AT LATVIAN NATIONAL OPERA HOUSE FLIGHTS world away from city life. Take in the Park’s beautiful 25 May 19.00 DIALOGUES DES CARMÉLITES Poulenc Inc Air Baltic landscapes and picturesque river and visit the ruins D: Vincent Boussard 24 May London Gatwick - Riga dep: 09.25 arr: 14.05 of the medieval castle of Turaida as well as the C: tbc 27 May Riga - London Gatwick dep: 15.40 arr: 16.40 Cast includes: Laura Teivāne Flight schedules are subject to alteration. Gutman cave which houses the tomb of the ‘Rose of Flights from other UK airports can be arranged on request. Turaida’. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant. 26 May 19.00 LA BAYADÈRE Inc Music: Minkus PRICE (PER PERSON) Return to Riga for the ballet performance that night. Choreography: Aivars Leimanis Tour price £1360 MON 27 MAY Morning at leisure before transferring Club Europe flight upgrade from £300 to Riga airport for your homeward flight. Casting will be confirmed in Spring 2019 Land-only tour price £1095 Deposit required £400 Tour price includes: Flights and airport taxes, group transfers from and “I know I will have a good experience and a most enjoyable time with to airport and for included activities where applicable, accommodation, breakfast daily, one dinner, two lunches, sightseeing tours as described including guides and entrance fees, first category ticket for each Travel for the Arts. There are always new and interesting people to included performance, opera synopses, restaurant guide and city meet and I look forward to choosing my next tour. The problem is there notes, the services of our local representative or tour manager. are so many to choose from!”

Miss B, Devon Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com 9 opera & ballet

ARTS AND CULTURE IN MINSK

Price from £1950 pp

26 - 31 May 2019 Tour code: MSQ1 NEW DESTINATION | NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

Welcome to Minsk, the capital city of Belarus, situated on the banks of the Svisloch river and a new destination which we think will educate and enthrall. Once a thriving artistic city, much of Minsk was tragically razed to the ground during World War II. However, the city has recently been restored to its former glory and today boasts a blend of architectural styles, fountains, parks and verdant boulevards. We have planned sightseeing tours in and around the city including two World Heritage Sites and a visit to one of the most grandiose defense museums in Eastern Europe. There are also three performances at the Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus, an architectural landmark in Minsk, with Shchedrin’s Carmen Suite, a balletic retelling of Bizet’s opera, a particular delight.

MINSK

SUN 26 MAY Early evening arrival in Minsk and WED 29 MAY Depart early morning for a full-day transfer (approx. 1 hour) to the 5-star Hotel Europe. excursion to the medieval towns of Nesvizh and Conveniently located in the heart of the city, in its Mir, both boasting castles which are listed on heyday the hotel was frequented by many artists UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. The castle in the including Marc Chagall who was born in Belarus. Late small town of Nesvizh was a former residence of welcome dinner in the hotel restaurant. the powerful Radziwiłł family and considered one of the most beautiful in the region. After lunch in a MON 27 MAY Join your guide for a tour of Minsk local restaurant, travel to Mir to visit its castle, an and learn the history, culture and traditions of the impressive blend of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance OPERA HOUSE Belarusian people. Visits will include Independence architecture. You will then return to Minsk for dinner Square, The Red Church, Victory Square, the National and the evening at leisure. Library and Trinity Suburb, one of the oldest areas PROGRAMME AT THE BOLSHOI THEATRE OF BELARUS in Minsk, as well as the Upper Town with its three THU 30 MAY Experience typical Belarusian hospitality 27 May 19.00 CONCERT & BALLET Inc Cathedrals. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant at Ganka Manor in the relaxing and picturesque Programme: Orff Carmina Burana Schedrin / Bizet Carmen Suite after which there will be time to relax. Dinner is at the countryside just a short distance from Minsk. The Ganets Russian Seasons restaurant before the concert and family will greet you with bread and moonshine and 28 May 19.00 LE NOZZE DI FIGARO Mozart Inc ballet performances that evening. explain how this home-made vodka is made. Wander 30 May 19.00 MACBETH Verdi Inc around the farmstead with its animals, buildings and TUE 28 MAY A day with a difference. Take an excursion Production and casting to be confirmed nearer to the date small lake, then partake of a delicious home-made lunch of departure. outside of the city to the Stalin Line Historical and accompanied by folk music. After returning to Minsk and Cultural Complex, named after the original Stalin FLIGHTS time for shopping or further sightseeing, an early dinner Line, a network of fortifications along the Western will be served at the cosy Kuchmistr restaurant followed Belavia border of the former Soviet Union. With displays that 26 May London Gatwick - Minsk dep: 14.20 arr: 19.15 by the evening’s opera performance. include antitank guns, airplanes and helicopters, 31 May Minsk- London Gatwick dep: 12.10 arr: 13.20 Flight schedules are subject to alteration. this unique museum is one of the most complete FRI 31 MAY Depart in the morning for the Flights from other UK airports can be arranged on request. exhibitions of artillery and military equipment and homeward flight. allows you to fully immerse yourself in history. PRICE (PER PERSON) Continue the experience with a typical soldier’s Tour price £1950 lunch - including the requisite glass of vodka given Business Class flight upgrade from £600 Land-only tour price £1750 to soldiers before going into combat. Return to Minsk “Travel for the Arts, Deposit required £400 for the afternoon at leisure before dinner at the Tour price includes: Flights and airport taxes, group transfers from and stylish Studio Wine and Spirits restaurant and the a specialist in musical tourism.” to airport and for included activities where applicable, accommodation, breakfast daily, five dinners, four lunches, sightseeing tours as described night at the opera. Paul Richardson, Financial Times including guides and entrance fees, first category ticket for each included performance, opera synopses, restaurant guide and city notes, the services of our local representative or tour manager.

10 Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com opera & classical music

BLACKWATER VALLEY OPERA FESTIVAL

Price from £1575 pp

30 May – 2 June 2019 Tour code: ORK1 NEW DESTINATION | NEW PRODUCTION | NEW TALENT

Breathtaking locations, historic venues, landscapes, gardens, music, food and wine all contribute to make this “Ireland’s most beautiful summer music festival.” The opening celebratory Gala concert presents a programme by Brahms and Irish composers. Two of Ireland’s rising stars, baritone Gavan Ring and mezzo- soprano Sinéad O’Kelly, join the Zurich International Opera Studio for a recital and a new production of Donizetti’s buffa opera Don Pasquale is set in the stableyard of Lismore Castle. The acclaimed actor Simon Callow shares his passion and knowledge of Wagner, followed by a recital by Irish soprano Orla Boylan.

BLACKWATER VALLEY OPERA FESTIVAL © FRANCES MARSHALL / MARSHALL LIGHT STUDIO

THU 30 MAY Late morning arrival at Cork airport PROGRAMME and transfer to the 5-star Fota Island Hotel and Resort, located in the heart of a stunning 780- 30 May 20.00 10TH ANNIVERSARY GALA CONCERT Inc Clarinet: Pablo Barragán acre estate just 10 minutes from Cork city. Spend Cello: Andrei Ionitā the afternoon relaxing at the hotel before the Piano: Juan Pérez Floristan coach transfer to Dromore Yard, an 18th-century Programme: Stanford - Sonata for Clarinete & Piano op. 129 farmyard on the banks of the River Blackwater, Trimble - Phantasy Trio (arr. for Clarinet, for dinner and the Festival’s 10th Anniversary Gala Cello & Piano Ireland - Trio D Major Concert. Coach transfer back to the hotel. Brahms - Trio op. 114 FRI 31 MAY The morning is at leisure before returning Venue: Dromore Yard to Dromore Yard for a picnic lunch, followed by 31 May 15.00 OPERA RECITAL Inc the afternoon recital. Travel 45 minutes by coach Young singers from the Zurich International Opera Studio, including to the beautiful surroundings of Lismore Castle Bass-baritone: Richard Walshe GAVAN RING on the shores of the Blackwater River. There is Mezzo-soprano: Sinéad O’Kelly Programme: tbc time to wander around the delightful gardens Venue: Dromore Yard before enjoying dinner and the opera. Coach 31 May 20.00 DON PASQUALE Donizetti Inc FLIGHTS back to the hotel after the performance. D: Pierre Emmanuel Rousseau C: Marco Zambelli Aer Lingus SAT 1 JUN Mid-morning guided tour of the Jameson Cast includes: Michele Govi, Aoife Gibney, 30 May London Heathrow - Cork dep: 09.30 arr: 10.55 2 Jun Cork - London Heathrow dep: 16.00 arr: 17.25 Distillery in Midleton, home to the famous whiskey Manuel Nuñez Camelino Flight schedules are subject to alteration. makers since their move from Dublin in 1975. New production Venue: Lismore Castle Flights from other UK airports can be arranged on request. Lunch at leisure before heading to Salterbridge PRICE (PER PERSON) House for a talk on Wagner by Simon Callow, which 1 Jun 15.00 WAGNER LECTURE Inc Speaker: Simon Callow serves as a perfect introduction to the afternoon Venue: Salterbridge House Tour price £1575 recital. Return to the hotel for a farewell dinner. Single room supplement £210 1 Jun 16.00 WAGNER RECITAL Inc Land-only tour price £1385 SUN 2 JUN Spend the morning visiting the Soprano: Orla Boylan Deposit required £400 Programme: Titanic Experience in Cobh before transferring Tour price includes: Flights and airport taxes, group transfers from and Wagner - Wesendonck-Lieder to airport and for included activities where applicable, accommodation, to the airport for the flight home. Venue: Salterbridge House breakfast daily, three dinners, one picnic lunch, sightseeing tours as described including guides and entrance fees, first category ticket for each included performance, opera synopses, restaurant guide and city notes, the services of our local representative or tour manager.

Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com 11 opera & ballet

“As a long-term customer with you, you are meeting and exceeding my CULTURAL expectations. Thank you!” FEASTS IN Mrs M, London TALLINN

Price from £1725 pp

3 – 7 June 2019 Tour code: TLL1 Situated on the Baltic Sea and one of the best- preserved medieval cities in Europe, Tallinn is a fascinating mix of German, Russian and Scandinavian influences which have shaped the face of the city over the centuries. In addition to two operas (The Flying Dutchman and La traviata) and an optional ballet (The Sleeping Beauty), feast on numerous cultural activities and enjoy Estonia’s culinary delights in outstanding settings.

TALLINN

MON 3 JUNE Late afternoon arrival at Tallinn airport. tintinnabuli, best illustrated by his popular work PROGRAMME Transfer the short distance to Estonia’s capital city of Spiegel im Spiegel. A trip to the architecturally 4 June 19.00 THE FLYING DUTCHMAN Inc Tallinn and check-in at the Hotel Telegraaf, a 5-star impressive Arvo Pärt Center in Laulasmaa D: Pamela Recinella luxury hotel in the heart of the Old Town. A welcome combines the composer’s personal archive with C: tbc dinner is at the hotel’s acclaimed Restaurant audio and video recordings. Back in Tallinn, 5 JUNE 19.00 The Sleeping Beauty £50 Tchaikovsky, renowned for its Russian cuisine. lunch is at the cosy Resturant Platz. Spend the Music: Tchaikovsky evening at leisure or opt for a performance of Choreography: Thomas Edur TUE 4 JUNE Meet your guide for a walking tour of the Tchaikovsky’s beloved ballet The Sleeping Beauty. Old Town. Highlights include the Russian Orthodox 6 June 19.00 LA TRAVIATA Inc Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky with its interesting THU 6 JUNE The morning is for you to spend at D: Neeme Kuningas C: tbc collection of icons, the Gothic Town Hall, Old Pharmacy leisure, shopping or maybe taking advantage of the House (the oldest continuously running pharmacy hotel’s Spa facilities. Talinn is well-known for its Casting will be confirmed in Spring 2019 in Europe) and the famous Katariina Gild street lined marzipan and a fun workshop is organized with the FLIGHTS with open studios and artisanal shops. Lunch in a local chance to make and decorate this delicious treat. restaurant before a visit to Toompea Castle, home to Sample modern Estonian cuisine at Restaurant Finnair 3 Jun London Heathrow - Helsinki dep: 10.20 arr: 15.15 the Estonian Parliament. Return to the hotel to relax Kaerajaan and later that day a farewell dinner is at Helsinki - Tallinn dep: 16.25 arr: 17.00 before walking the short distance to the opera house the famed restaurant Mon Repos with enchanting 7 Jun Tallinn – Helsinki dep: 12.50 arr: 13.20 Helsinki - London Heathrow dep: 14.05 arr: 15.10 for a performance of Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman. interiors and set in the beautiful Kadrior Park. This Flight schedules are subject to alteration. is followed by a performance of Verdi’s La traviata. Flights from other UK airports can be arranged on request. WED 5 JUNE Arvo Pärt is Estonia’s greatest living composer and is particularly known for FRI 7 JUNE Morning transfer to Tallinn airport for the PRICE (PER PERSON) his self-invented compositional technique, homeward flight. Tour price £1725 Single room supplement £360 Business Class flight upgrade* from £520 Land-only tour price £1535 Deposit required £400 *Business class upgrade only applicable on flights London-Helsinki and Helsinki-London Tour price includes: Flights and airport taxes, group transfers from and to airport and for included activities where applicable, accommodation, breakfast daily, two dinners, three lunches, sightseeing tours as described including guides and entrance fees, first category ticket for each included performance, opera synopses, restaurant guide and city notes, the services of our local representative or tour manager.

LA TRAVIATA ESTONIAN NATIONAL OPERA

12 Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com opera & classical music

THE SALZBURG WHITSUN FESTIVAL

Price from £2275 pp

7 – 11 June 2019 Tour code: SZG1 NEW PRODUCTION

‘I voci celesti’ are the focus of the 2019 Salzburg Whitsun Festival - the heavenly voices of the castrati. The Gala Concert dedicated to Farinelli and friends includes baroque works presented by Rolando Villazón and performed by a host of singers including Cecilia Bartoli and Philippe Jaroussky, who also feature in a production of Handel’s Alcina. There is also the added opportunity to attend a semi-staged performance of Porpora’s Polifemo, which starred Farinelli himself at its debut. PROGRAMME 8 Jun 15.00 POLIFEMO Porpora £275 D: Max Emanuel Cencic C: George Petrou Cast includes: Yuriy Mynenko, Max Emanuel Cencic, Pavel Kudinov, Julia Lezhneva, Dilyara Idrisova, Nian Wang Venue: Felsenreitschule Semi-staged performance ALCINA (C) MATTHIAS CREUTZIGER 8 Jun 20.00 GALA CONCERT: FARINELLI & FRIENDS Inc C: Gianluca Capuano Presentation: Rolando Villazón Cast includes: Julie Fuchs, Patricia Petibon, Sandrine Piau, Nuria Rial, Cecilia Bartoli, Lea Desandre, FRI 7 JUN Morning arrival in Salzburg to Reinhardt wanted to realize his vision of baroque Vivica Genaux, Ann Hallenberg, check in at the 5-star Hotel Bristol, located theatre performances, and we see the extravagant Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Christophe Dumaux, Philippe Jaroussky in the heart of the city. A welcome dinner open-air stage and neo-baroque park, complete Programme: Great baroque arias, will be served in a local restaurant. with a garden theatre and artificial ponds. After scenes and duets by George Frideric Handel, Nicola Porpora, Johann Adolph Hasse, returning to the city for an independent lunch, SAT 8 JUN Join your guide for a morning tour of Riccardo Broschi and others we attend the afternoon performance at the Salzburg along the theme ‘the city is a stage’. This Venue: Grosses Festspielhaus Haus für Mozart, followed by a free evening. will include visits to some of the most renowned 9 Jun 16.00 ALCINA Handel Inc sights, including Mozart’s birthplace where the MON 10 JUN This morning we walk to the Mozarteum D: Damiano Michieletto C: Gianluca Capuano family lived from 1747 to 1773, and the cathedral for the final performance in the tour. Afternoon at Cast includes: Cecilia Bartoli, Philippe where he was baptised. Optional afternoon leisure for independent sightseeing and shopping Jaroussky, Sandrine Piau, Kristina Hammarström, Christoph Strehl, performance at the Felsenreitschule before the before a farewell dinner served in a local restaurant. Alastair Miles evening performance at the Festspielhaus. Venue: Haus für Mozart TUE 11 JUN Morning at leisure before SUN 9 JUN Today we visit Leopoldskron Palace and the mid-afternoon transfer to Salzburg 10 Jun 11.00 STABAT MATER Pergolesi Inc C & Violin: Andrés Gabetta garden, bought by Max Reinhardt, co-founder of airport for your homeward flight. Mezzo-soprano: Cecilia Bartoli the Salzburg Festival, in the 1920s. It was here that Countertenor: Franco Fagioli Cappella Gabetta Venue: Mozarteum

FLIGHTS

British Airways 7 Jun London Gatwick - Salzburg dep: 07.45 arr: 10.45 11 Jun Salzburg - London Gatwick dep: 18.45 arr: 19.45 Flight schedules are subject to alteration. Flights from other UK airports can be arranged on request.

PRICE (PER PERSON)

Tour price £2275 Single room supplement £380 Club Europe flight upgrade from £240 Land-only tour price £2115 Deposit required £400 Tour price includes: Flights and airport taxes, group transfers from and to airport and for included activities where applicable, accommodation, breakfast daily, two dinners, sightseeing tours as described including guides and entrance fees, best available ticket for each included CECILIA BARTOLI PHILIPPE JAROUSSKY performance, opera synopses, restaurant guide and city notes, the services of our local representative or tour manager.

Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com 13 opera

MOUNTAINS, MUSEUMS AND MUSIC IN GEORGIA

Price from £1875 pp

10 – 17 June 2019 Tour code: TBS1 NEW DESTINATION

Another exciting new destination for 2019 is Georgia. A country at the intersection of Europe and Asia, its natural beauty boasts the imposing Caucasus Mountains and the world’s oldest wine-producing region. Its capital city, Tbilisi, runs along the twisting valley of Mtkvari River and is known for its abundance of medieval architecture and churches as well as the charm of its Old Town. In addition, this tour will allow you to explore ancient crafts and experience Georgian hospitality via its food and famous Georgian wines.

TBILISI OPERA HOUSE © GIORGI SHERMAZANASHVILI

MON 10 JUN Late departure for the overnight Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, reputedly one of the for the historic winery that once belonged to the 19th- flight to Tbilisi. burial sites of Christ’s cloak. Spend time in Mtskheta century poet Prince Alexander Chavchavadze, and before the scenic drive towards the Kazbegi region from where the highly-regarded dry white Tsinandali TUE 11 JUN Early morning arrival in Tbilisi and check- during which you will visit Gergeti Trinity Church wine is still produced. Enjoy a tour of the Estate in at the 5-star Iota Hotel, located in the centre of Old overlooking the snowy peaks of the Caucasus museum and stroll through the landscaped garden - Tbilisi. Rest and relax in the morning before joining Mountains. Dinner and an overnight stay at the 4-star in particular its ‘love lane’ - before returning to Tbilisi. your guide for an afternoon tour of this charming Rooms Hotel in Kazbegi, a cosy alpine retreat with city. Start from the historic district of Metekhi and SUN 16 JUN Your last full day in Georgia takes stunning panoramic views. take the cable car to the ancient Narikala Fortress you along the Silk Road to Gori, the birthplace of which dominates the skyline of the Old Town. The FRI 14 JUN The morning is spent in Kazbegi with an Stalin. Here you will visit the Stalin Museum before tour will then continue to the legendary 17th-century opportunity to learn how traditional Georgian felt is proceeding to the ancient cave town of Uplistsikhe, sulphur baths after which you will also visit the Great crafted. Travel back to Tbilisi via the historic Ananuri once an important political and religious pre- Synagogue, the Sioni Cathedral and Anchiskhati, the castle complex overlooking the Aragvi river and Christian centre. Return to Tbilisi and stop at the most ancient Basilica in Tbilisi. The tour ends with a Château Mukhrani where you will take a tour of Prince Sarajishvili Brandy Factory where you will be guided visit to the National Museum of Georgia. Return to the Bagrationi’s castle with its gardens, amphitheatre, through its history and the life of its founder David hotel to relax before dinner at a traditional Georgian cellars and vineyards and enjoy some of the best Sarajishvili as well as sampling a selection of some restaurant followed by a folk show. Georgian wine produced at this award-winning of the brandies made at this prize-winning company. winery.Return to Tbilisi for dinner at the Iota Hotel. Dinner and the evening at leisure. WED 12 JUN The morning is spent at the Art Museum of Georgia with its collection of icons, altars, chalices and SAT 15 JUN Today’s excursion is to the Kakheti MON 17 JUN Enjoy time for last-minute sightseeing or crosses that show the skill of Georgian goldsmiths across region, Georgia’s oldest wine-producing region shopping in Tbilisi before transferring to the airport the ages. At the Cloisonné Enamel School you will have and an area rich in history. Visit the 11th-century for the early evening flight home. the chance to make your own piece of enamel jewellery Alaverdi Monastery with its vineyards from which before exploring the Rustaveli National Theatre, one of the monks still make their own wine today and the the oldest theatres in the country, named after Georgia’s small town of Telavi, once the capital of the Kakheti national poet Shota Rustaveli and famed for its exquisite kingdom. Continue to the village of Vardisubani and architecture and frescoes. The afternoon and dinner are witness local craftsmen making Qvevri, egg-shaped at leisure before the evening’s opera performance. earthenware vessels in which wine is fermented and stored. Lunch will be at the Shumi winery in THU 13 JUN Today you will have the chance to Kvareli where you will be able to sample four types of discover more of the beauty and history that Georgian wine and also participate in a the making of Georgia has to offer. Depart for the ancient capital the traditional Georgian delicacy Churchkhela. The of Mtskheta, an important religious centre, stopping afternoon will be spent in Tsinandali, a village noted KAZBEGI en route at the 6th-century Jvari Monastery and

14 Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com opera

TBILISI OPERA HOUSE © ZURA BALANCHIVADZE

PROGRAMME 12 Jun MACBETH Verdi Inc Venue: Tbilisi Opera House Production team and casting will be confirmed closer to the date of departure.

FLIGHTS

Georgian Airways 10 Jun London Gatwick - Tbilisi dep: 22.50 arr: 06.40 (+1) 17 Jun Tbilisi - London Gatwick dep: 19.00 arr: 21.20 Flight schedules are subject to alteration. Flights from other UK airports can be arranged on request.

PRICE (PER PERSON)

Tour price £1875 Single room supplement £350 Business class flight upgrade from £1200 Land-only tour price £1645 Deposit required £400 Tour price includes: Flights and airport taxes, group transfers from and to airport and for included activities where applicable, accommodation, breakfast daily, three dinners, one lunch, sightseeing tours as described including guides and entrance fees, first category ticket for each included TBILISI performance, opera synopses, restaurant guide and city notes, the services of our local representative or tour manager.

MACBETH

GEORGIAN NATIONAL OPERA THEATRE GEORGIAN NATIONAL OPERA THEATRE

Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com 15 opera & classical music

THE OPÉRA ROYAL AT VERSAILLES

Price from £1390 pp

14 - 17 June 2019 Tour code: VER1 BY RAIL

The Opéra Royal at Versailles was inaugurated on 16 May 1770, the wedding day of the future Louis XVI and the Archduchess Marie-Antoinette. We attend a performance of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, presented by artistes of the Juilliard Opera of New York, as well as a concert in the Royal Chapel based upon music played at the coronation of Louis XIV.

OPÉRA ROYAL DE VERSAILLES © AGATHE POUPENEY

PROGRAMME AT THE PALACE OF VERSAILLES 15 Jun 19.00 CONCERT: LOUIS XIV’S CORONATION Inc Ensemble Correspondances C: Sébastien Daucé Programme: Works from the Coronation of Louis XIV Venue: Royal Chapel 16 Jun 17.00 DIDO AND AENEAS Purcell Inc D: Mary Birnbaum C: Avi Stein Cast includes: Artistes from the Juillard Opera of New York Venue: Opéra Royal

RAIL

Eurostar VERSAILLES 14 Jun London St Pancras - Paris Gare du Nord dep: 11.31 arr: 14.47 17 Jun Paris Gare du Nord - London St Pancras dep: 13.13 arr: 14.39 If more convenient, flights from your local airport can be arranged on request.

FRI 14 JUN Afternoon arrival in Paris, and transfer SUN 16 JUN This morning we return to the Palace PRICE (PER PERSON) to Versailles by coach (approx. 1.5 hours) to for an individual visit of the spectacular gardens, Tour price £1390 check in at the 4-star Le Louis, Versailles Château created and renovated by André Le Nôtre from 1661 Single room supplement £360 - MGallery by Sofitel, an elegant hotel located onwards and featuring many fountains, sculptures Standard premier upgrade from £100 Land-only tour price £1270 in the heart of the city and just steps from the and groves. This afternoon is at leisure before the Deposit required £350 Château of Versailles. A welcome drink and early evening opera performance at the Opéra Royal, Tour price includes: Rail travel, group transfers from and to station and canapés will be served in the hotel this evening. followed by a farewell dinner in a local restaurant. for included activities where applicable, accommodation, breakfast daily, welcome drink and canapés, one dinner, sightseeing tours as SAT 15 JUN Join your guide this morning to visit the MON 17 JUN Transfer to Paris for your described including guides and entrance fees, first category ticket for each included performance, restaurant guide and city notes, the Château, established as a Royal Palace by Louis XIV, homeward journey on Eurostar. services of our local representative or tour manager. also known as the ‘Sun King’. We take a guided visit of the sumptuous interior, including the famous Hall of Mirrors. There will then be some free time at the hotel before the evening concert in the Royal Chapel.

16 Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com ballet & recital

CHOPIN AND BALLET IN WARSAW

Price from £1525 pp

27 June – 1 July 2019 Tour code: WAW1 Immerse yourself in Polish culture during this wonderful long weekend in and around Warsaw. As well as being introduced to a very special city via its beautiful Royal Route and unique Old Town (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site), an excursion outside of the city allows you to appreciate the aristocratic splendour and captivating landscapes of this romantic central European country which so inspired Poland’s great pianist and composer Fryderyk Chopin. Attend a private piano recital with music by Chopin in one of Warsaw’s many magnificent palaces and experience an exciting new staging of Swan Lake in which the black swan is represented by the legendary prima ballerina assoluta Mathilde Kschessinska.

MELISSA HAMILTON IN SWAN LAKE © EWA KRASUCKA/TEATR WIELKI - POLISH NATIONAL OPERA

THU 27 JUN Late afternoon arrival at Warsaw old aristocratic residences. The first stop is Chopin’s most beloved artist, as well as a number of his airport and transfer to the 5-star Hotel Le Regina, birthplace in the small village of Zelazowa Wola, letters and musical compositions. Lunch and the housed in the historic Mokrowsky Palace. This where to celebrate the composer’s bicentenary afternoon are at leisure before a private piano recital stylish boutique hotel is situated in the heart of in 2010, the grounds surrounding the house were of Chopin’s music in one of Warsaw’s sumptuous Warsaw’s Old Town and is close to the Royal Castle revamped, making it now one of the most beautiful palaces, followed by dinner in a select restaurant. and Opera House. Welcome dinner in the hotel. National Parks in Poland. The tour continues to MON 1 JUL Morning transfer to the airport for the Nieborów with its aristocratic Palace and Arkadia FRI 28 JUN Meet your guide for a morning tour homeward flight. gardens based on classical mythology. During of the city. Walk along the Royal Route with its the tour lunch will be served in a local restaurant. wealth of architectural treasures before entering PROGRAMME Return to the hotel for the evening at leisure. the picturesque Old Town, much of which was 28 Jun 19.00 SWAN LAKE Inc impressively rebuilt after the war to become once SUN 30 JUN Join your guide this morning for a tour New libretto: Paweł Chynowski more the true heart of the city. Visits will include of some of the city’s most important sights relating Music: Pyotr Tchaikovsky Choreography: Krzysztof Pastor the glorious baroque-style Royal Castle with its to Chopin, including the Church of the Holy Cross Venue: Teatr Wielki – Polish National Opera ornate Italianate rooms. Lunch and the afternoon Church to where the composer’s heart was brought are at leisure before transferring by coach to the by his sister after his premature death in Paris. 30 Jun PRIVATE PIANO RECITAL Inc Piano: tbc theatre for the ballet performance in the evening. No visit to Warsaw would be complete without Programme: Works by Chopin spending time at the Fryderyk Chopin Museum in Venue: tbc SAT 29 JUN Today is a full day excursion to the outer the beautiful Ostrogski Palace where the exhibits regions of Warsaw, where the beauty of the Polish FLIGHTS include the grand piano belonging to Poland’s countryside is complimented by the charm of the British Airways 27 Jun London Heathrow - Warsaw dep: 14.00 arr: 17.25 1 Jul Warsaw - London Heathrow dep: 11.50 arr: 13.35 Flight schedules are subject to alteration. Flights from other UK airports can be arranged on request.

PRICE (PER PERSON)

Tour price £1525 Single room supplement £300 Club Europe flight upgrade from £300 Land-only tour price £1410 Deposit required £350 Tour price includes: Flights and airport taxes, group transfers from and to airport and for included activities where applicable, accommodation, breakfast daily, two dinners, one lunch, sightseeing tours as described including guides and entrance fees, first category OLD TOWN ZELAZOWA WOLA ticket for each included performance, opera synopses, restaurant guide and city notes, the services of our local representative or tour manager.

Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com 17 classical music

SWISS ALPS CLASSICS FESTIVAL

Price from £1395 pp

28 June – 1 July 2019 Tour code: SWI1 NEW DESTINATION

Experience the beauty of the Swiss Alps in the height of summer with three concerts at the Swiss Alps Classics Festival in the historic village of Andermatt. Established to celebrate the symbolism of the historic Gotthard region, source of great fascination to historic figures such as Goethe, Schiller and French writer Lamartine, this year’s festival presents performances by Christian Flury and soprano Marisol Montalvo.

ANDERMATT VILLAGE AND THE SWISS ALPS

FRI 28 JUN Afternoon arrival in Zurich and transfer SUN 30 JUN Today starts with a morning recital at by coach to Andermatt (approx. 2 hours) to check in the Church of St Peter and Paul followed by lunch at at the 4-star Radisson Blu Hotel Reussen located in your leisure. In the early afternoon we transfer to the the heart of the picturesque Swiss village. A welcome San Gottardo Museum for a unique walk through the dinner is served in the hotel. heart of the Alps in tunnels excavated during World War Two. The tour ends with the fortress Sasso da SAT 29 JUN We start the tour with a performance at Pigna located under the Gotthard Peak. Dinner is the New Concert Hall 'Tonhalle Reuss' in the Radisson under your own arrangement. Blu Hotel Reussen followed by an independent lunch. In the afternoon we join our local guide for a walking MON 1 JUL Transfer to Zurich airport for your tour of Andermatt, exploring the historic charm and homeward journey. beauty of this traditional Swiss village located at the GOTTHARD PASS foot of the Gotthard Pass. We return to the hotel for the evening performance.

MARISOL MONTALVO PROGRAMME FLIGHTS

29 Jun 11.30 RECITAL Christian Flury (cello), Inc British Airways Swiss Alps Chamber Ensemble 28 Jun London Heathrow - Zurich dep: 09.25 arr: 12.20 Programme includes: Stravinsky 1 Jul Zurich - London Heathrow dep: 15.50 arr: 16.40 The Solder's Tale Flight schedules are subject to alteration. Venue: New Concert Hall ‘Tonhalle Reuss’ Flights from other UK airports can be arranged on request. 29 Jun 20.00 RECITAL Jörg Widmann (clarinet) Inc PRICE (PER PERSON) Marisol Montalvo (soprano), Swiss Alps Chamber Ensemble Tour price £1395 Programme: tbc Single supplement £195 Venue: New Concert Hall ‘Tonhalle Reuss’ Club Europe flight upgrade from £250 Land-only tour price £1325 30 Jun 11.30 RECITAL Emmanuel Tjeknavorian Inc Deposit required £350 (director), Franz Xaver Frenzel (harpsichord), Swiss Alps Chamber Ensemble Tour price includes: Flights and airport taxes, group transfers Programme includes: Tchaikovsky, from and to airport and for included activities where applicable, accommodation, breakfast daily, one dinner, sightseeing tours as Shostakovich, Frankel described including guides and entrance fees, first category ticket Venue: Church of St Peter and Paul for each included performance, restaurant guide and city notes, the services of our local representative or tour manager.

18 Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com tour featuring wagner

OPERA IN HISTORICAL SOFIA AND PLOVDIV

Price from £1500 pp

6 – 13 July 2019 Tour code: SOP1 NEW TOUR | MEET THE ARTIST

This early-summer tour celebrates the musical “Very happy to and historical heritage of Bulgaria’s capital and have found you!” surrounding region. Wagner is featured across two performances at Sofia Opera with Tristan und Isolde Miss H, West Sussex and Parsifal. Our sightseeing programme includes a private concert in one of Arbanassi’s historic churches together with a tour of the ancient city of Plovdiv, European Capital of Culture for 2019.

PARSIFAL BY STAATSOPER UNTER DEN LINDEN (C) MONIKA RITTERSHAUS

SAT 6 JUL Arrival in Sofia and transfer to the 5-star home of the Thracian kings and the country’s largest PROGRAMME Arena di Serdica Hotel, centrally located in the city. A and best preserved Thracian tombs before departing to 7 Jul 18:00 TRISTAN UND ISOLDE Wagner Inc welcome dinner will be served in a local restaurant. Plovdiv where we check in to the 4-star Landmark Hotel D: Plamen Kartaloff followed by dinner. C: Velizar Genchev SUN 7 JUL Join your guide for a city tour of Sofia, Cast includes: Martin Iliev, Radostina including Bulgaria’s largest church, the St Alexander THU 11 JUL Today we join our guide to explore the Nikolaeva, Bayasgalan Dashnyam, Nevski, topped by golden domes, the 6th century basilica historic city of Plovdiv with its Roman ruins and cobbled Angel Hristov, Veselin Mihaylov, Biser Georgiev, Plamen Papazikov, St Sofia and the National Theatre, built in the renaissance- streets of the Old Town. The tour includes the town’s Krasimir Dinev, Nikolay Petrov style with striking fountains and garden. Following lunch Regional Ethnographic Museum and Roma amphitheatre. Venue: Sofia Opera at a local restaurant, the afternoon is at leisure before the We then depart for the boutique Villa Yustina Winery, 11 Jul 21:00 PRIVATE CONCERT CHAMBER Inc first early evening performance at the Sofia Opera and an situated in the outskirts of the Rhodopi Mountains, for Venue: Plovdiv opportunity to meet the artists after the event. lunch accompanied by wine tasting. The afternoon is at 12 Jul 18:00 PARSIFAL Wagner Inc leisure in Plovdiv followed by the evening performance. D: Plamen Kartaloff MON 8 JUL Today we visit Rila Monastery, founded in C: Ira Levin the 10th century by St John of Rila whose dwelling and FRI 12 JUL This morning we return to Sofia via the Cast includes: Kostadin Andreev, Atanas tomb became a holy site and were transformed into a monastery at Bachkovo, the second largest monastery Mladenov, Petar Buchkov, Angel Hristov, Biser Georgiev, Radostina Nikolaeva monastic complex now known for its frescos, museum in Bulgaria with the Church of Sveta Bogoroditsa and its Venue: Sofia Opera and architecture. We return to Sofia following lunch at frescos as a centrepiece. After arriving in Sofia we check FLIGHTS a local restaurant. Afternoon and evening at leisure. in to the Arena di Serdica Hotel with the afternoon at leisure before the evening performance at Sofia Opera. British Airways TUE 9 JUL Today we journey east to the town of Veliko 6 Jul London Heathrow - Sofia dep: 08.00 arr: 13.10 Tarnovo, stopping first at Arbanasi, a village known for SAT 13 JUL Transfer to Sofia airport for your 13 Jul Sofia - London Heathrow dep: 14.00 arr: 15.30 the stunning interior of its Nativity Church with frescos homeward journey. Flight schedules are subject to alteration. Flights from other UK airports can be arranged on request. depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments. After enjoying a private concert from an orthodox choir in one PRICE (PER PERSON) of Arbanassi’s many historic churches, we then continue Tour price £1500 to Veliko Tarnovo to check in at the 4-star Yantra Grand Single supplement £245 Hotel followed by a walking tour of the medieval city’s Club Europe flight upgrade from £350 Land-only tour price £1375 cobbled streets. Dinner is served at a local restaurant. Deposit required £350 WED 10 JUL Our tour continues with a transfer by coach Tour price includes: Flights and airport taxes, group transfers from and to airport and for included activities where applicable, to the ancient city of Plovdiv, European Capital of accommodation, breakfast daily, three dinners, four lunches, one light Culture for 2019. Our first stop is a visit to the fortress of snack, sightseeing tours as described including guides and entrance fees, first category ticket for each included performance, opera Zarevets Hill, giving a breathtaking view over the town synopses, restaurant guide and city notes, the services of our local RILA MONASTERY of Veliko Tarnovo. From there we travel to Kazanlak, the representative or tour manager.

Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com 19 opera

40TH ANNIVERSARY AT BUXTON FESTIVAL OPERA

Price from £945 pp

13 – 16 July 2019 Tour code: BUX1 WORLD PREMIERE | NEW PRODUCTIONS MEET THE ARTISTS | INDEPENDENT TRAVEL

In 2019 the Buxton International Festival will celebrate 40 years of music-making in this splendid Spa town in the heart of Derbyshire. Two new productions will be presented: wonderful young British singers in Lucio Papirio Dittatore, a forgotten gem by Antonio Caldara, and an English version of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin. A highlight of the Festival will be the specially-commissioned World Premiere of Georgiana, a unique and entertaining pasticcio celebrating the life and times of the enthralling Georgiana Cavendish, 5th Duchess of Devonshire, after which there will be an opportunity to meet the cast.

BUXTON OPERA HOUSE

SAT 13 JUL Independent arrival at the 4-star Best Old Masters to contemporary works by Lucian Freud PROGRAMME AT BUXTON OPERA HOUSE Western Lee Wood Hotel in Buxton. Set in its own and Edmund de Waal. Return to Buxton for lunch 13 Jul 19:15 LUCIO PAPIRIO DITTATORE Caldara Inc mature gardens, this elegant Georgian hotel is at leisure. The visit to Chatsworth will set the scene D: Mark Burns situated only a few moments' walk from the centre for the evening’s performance of Georgiana, with C: Adrian Chandler of the town and the Opera House. Family-owned music from 18th-century composers Mozart, Storace, Cast includes: Robert Murray, William Towers, Owen Willetts, Rowan Pierce for over 50 years, the hotel offers high-quality Martyn y Soler and Thomas Linley. There will be a New production accommodation and rosette-standard dining. drinks reception with the cast after the performance. 14 Jul 14.00  EUGENE ONEGIN Tchaikovsky Inc Late-afternoon welcome drinks and canapés D: Jamie Manton will be served in the hotel before walking to the C: Adrian Kelly Opera House for the evening performance. Cast includes: George Humphreys, Shelley Jackson, David Webb, Angharad Lyddon SUN 14 JUL This morning take a special walking tour New production (in English) of Buxton and discover the history and heritage of this 15 Jul 19:15  GEORGIANA Music from the Enlightenment Inc majestic Spa town through the eyes of historic female D: Matthew Richardson C: Mark Tatlow characters portrayed by costumed guides. Based at Cast includes: Samantha Clarke, Andrew the Old Hall, the stories of three strong, intelligent and Kennedy, Susanna Fairbairn dynastic women, Queen Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of World Premiere Scots and Bess of Hardwick, are brought alive against ARRIVAL INFORMATION

a backdrop of politics, religion and tragedy. Then join CHATSWORTH HOUSE Direct train services from London Euston to Macclesfield or Miss Seward who paints a picture of Georgian society Stockport station are available (approx. 2 hours) then either a connection to Buxton station (approx. 1 hour 10 minutes from as she reflects on her fellow guests in the Assembly Macclesfield or 50 minutes from Stockport) or a taxi transfer of Rooms, the social heart of 18th-century Buxton. TUE 16 JUL Independent departure. approx. 30 minutes. Lunch at leisure before the matinee performance. Welcome dinner at the hotel in the evening. PRICE (PER PERSON) MON 15 JUL Travel through the beautiful Peak District Tour price £945 Single room supplement £90 to Chatsworth House, home of the Duke and Duchess Deposit required £250 of Devonshire and considered by many the jewel of Tour price includes: Group transfers from and to included activities England’s country houses. Enjoy a guided tour of the where applicable, accommodation, breakfast daily, one dinner, canapés and welcome drink, drinks reception, sightseeing tours as magnificent Painted Hall, the regal State Rooms and described including guides and entrance fees, first category ticket for Sculpture Gallery as well as the Devonshire Collection, each included performance, opera synopses, restaurant guide and city notes, the services of our local representative or tour manager. a hugely significant art collection, encompassing BUXTON OPERA HOUSE

20 Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com opera

FESTIVITIES “Can’t wait for our next tour!” IN AIX-EN- Prof L, Dorset PROVENCE

Price from £2695 pp

13 – 17 July 2019 Tour code: AIX1 NEW PRODUCTIONS

Celebrate Bastille Day during this annual festival in the charming city of Aix-en-Provence, with its elegant squares, majestic avenues and delightful fountains. 2019 sees a new production of Puccini’s beloved Tosca with two stars of the world of opera – soprano Angel Blue and tenor Joseph Calleja – under the baton of the young Italian conductor Daniele Rustioni, plus Mozart’s Requiem, both in the stunning setting of the open-air Théâtre de l’Archevêché. A further highlight is a film screening of Fritz Lang’s futuristic epic ‘Metropolis’ accompanied by Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Orchestre Philharmonia.

THÉÂTRE DE L’ARCHEVÊCHÉ © VINCENT PONTET

SAT 13 JUL Afternoon arrival at Marseille airport advantage of the hotel spa. In the evening WED 17 JUL Spend the morning and lunch at and transfer to the Aquabella Hotel & Spa. This walk the short distance to the Théâtre de leisure before transferring to the airport for the late 4-star hotel is ideally situated in the heart of l’Archevêché for the late evening performance. afternoon flight home. Aix-en-Provence, surrounded by a magnificent TUE 16 JUL Travel north to the Luberon Valley in Mediterranean garden and just a short walk to the the heart of Provence. The area is characterised TOSCA Théâtre de l’Archevêché. Welcome dinner in the by a number of strikingly picturesque hill-top hotel restaurant. medieval villages such as Gordes, Roussillon and SUN 14 JUL Today is Bastille Day and a day of Menerbes, the latter made known to many through national celebration in France. Soak in the festive Peter Mayle’s memoir ‘A Year in Provence’. Stop atmosphere as you join your guide for a walking in Lourmarin, listed as one of the most beautiful tour of the historic centre of Aix-en-Provence. Visit villages in France, and home for many years to the Cathedral St Sauveur and Romanesque cloisters Albert Camus. Sample regional wines and enjoy and see the many wonderful fountains scattered lunch in a local restaurant before returning to throughout the city. Lunch and the afternoon are the hotel. Take time to relax before walking to at leisure before the 10-minute walk from the hotel the theatre for the late evening performance. to the Grand Théâtre de Provence for the early evening’s film screening with live orchestra. PROGRAMME FLIGHTS

MON 15 JUL The day is free for independent 14 Jul 18.00  ORCHESTRE PHILHARMONIA Inc British Airways sightseeing, shopping or simply taking C: Esa-Pekka Salonen 13 July London Heathrow - Marseille dep: 13.05 arr: 16.00 ‘Metropolis’ by Fritz Lang 17 July Marseille - London Heathrow dep: 16.50 arr: 17.45 Concert film Flight schedules are subject to alteration. Venue: Grand Théâtre de Provence Flights from other UK airports can be arranged on request.

15 Jul 21.30  TOSCA Puccini Inc PRICE (PER PERSON) D: Christophe Honoré C: Daniele Rustioni Tour price £2695 Cast includes: Angel Blue, Joseph Calleja Single room supplement £440 New Production Club Europe flight upgrade from £300 Venue: Théâtre de l’Archevêché Land-only tour price £2535 Deposit required £400 16 Jul 22.00 REQUIEM Mozart Inc Tour price includes: Flights and airport taxes, group transfers D: Romeo Castellucci from and to airport and for included activities where applicable, C: Raphaël Pichon accommodation, breakfast daily, one dinner, one lunch, wine Cast: tbc tasting, sightseeing tours as described including guides and entrance LA ROTONDE FOUNTAIN New Production fees, first category ticket for each included performance, opera synopses, restaurant guide and city notes, the services of our local Venue: Théâtre de l’Archevêché representative or tour manager.

Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com 21 opera

VERDI IN SPAIN

Price from £1995 pp

13 – 17 July 2019 Tour code: SPA1 Join us for a two-centre tour to vibrant Spain focused on the operas of Verdi, including Giovanna d’Arco at the Teatro Real in Madrid starring Plácido Domingo and Luisa Miller at the Teatro del Liceu in Barcelona, the Catalan capital of culture. Our sightseeing programme features the highlights of Madrid and Gaudi's iconic Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

FOUNTAIN OF CIBELES, MADRID

SAT 13 JUL Mid-afternoon arrival in Madrid and MON 15 JUL Morning at leisure for independent MADRID transfer to the 4-star Hotel Emperador, located on exploration of Madrid. In the afternoon we transfer to the Gran Vía and close to the major sights including the train station to travel on the high-speed Ave train Plaza Mayor, Plaza de España, Puerta del Sol, to Barcelona (approx. 3 hours) and check in to the Cibeles and the Prado Museum. Welcome drinks 4-star superior Hotel Barcelona Center, located in the will be served in the hotel, before the evening heart of the Eixample district. We then transfer on performance at Teatro Real. foot to Teatro del Liceu for the evening performance. SUN 14 JUL Join your guide this morning for a TUE 16 JUL This morning join your guide for a tour walking tour of the highlights of Madrid, including of the immense Sagrada Familia cathedral, which the Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace, built by has become the symbol of Barcelona. A farewell the Bourbons in the 18th-century and the official lunch is served in a local restaurant and the residence of the Royal Family until 1931. Lunch afternoon is at leisure for further exploration. is served in a local restaurant. Evening concert WED 17 JUL Morning at leisure for last-minute performance of Giovanna d’Arco starring Plácido shopping and sightseeing. Transfer to the airport Domingo at Teatro Real. for your homeward journey.

PROGRAMME FLIGHTS

13 Jul 20:00 IL TROVATORE Verdi Inc 15 Jul 20.00 LUISA MILLER Verdi Inc British Airways D: Francisco Negrín D: Damiano Michieletto 13 Jul London Heathrow - Madrid dep: 11.35 arr: 15.00 17 Jul Barcelona - London Heathrow dep: 14.50 arr: 16.10 C: Maurizio Benini C: Domingo Hindoyan Cast includes: Ludovic Tézier, Maria Agresta, Cast includes: Dmitry Belosselskiy, Piotr Flight schedules are subject to alteration. Ekaterina Semenchuk, Francesco Meli, Beczala, J’Nai Bridges, Marko Mimica, Flights from other UK airports can be arranged on request. Roberto Tagliavini Luca Salsi, Sondra Radvanovsky, Venue: Teatro Real, Madrid Gemma Coma-Alabert PRICE (PER PERSON) Venue: Teatro de Liceu, Barcelona 14 Jul 20:00 GIOVANNA D’ARCO Verdi Inc Tour price £1995 C: James Conlon Tickets to Teatro Real will be confirmed March 2019. Single supplement £310 Cast includes: Michael Fabiano, Plácido Club Europe flight upgrade from £350 Domingo, Carmen Giannattasio, Moisés Land-only tour price £1850 Marín, Simón Orfila Deposit required £450 Venue: Teatro Real, Madrid Tour price includes: Flights and airport taxes, group transfers from and to airport and for included activities where applicable, accommodation, breakfast daily, welcome drinks and two lunches, sightseeing tours as described including guides and entrance fees, first category ticket for each included performance, restaurant guide and city notes, the services of our local representative or tour manager.

22 Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com opera

GARSINGTON OPERA AND THE GETTY LIBRARY

Price from £2250 pp

18 – 22 July 2019 Tour code: GAR1 NEW PRODUCTIONS | UK STAGE PREMIERE INDEPENDENT TRAVEL

Escape to the country and celebrate 30 years of Garsington Opera in style with three new productions, including the UK stage premiere of Fantasio, presented especially for Offenbach’s bicentenary. This wonderful long weekend also offers an occasion to visit the magnificent Blenheim Palace plus the privileged opportunity to view Sir Paul Getty’s unparalleled collection of books dating from the 7th to the 20th century.

GETTY LIBRARY

THU 18 JUL Independent arrival at Hartwell UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the gilded House & Spa, one of England’s fine stately State rooms and priceless collections then homes, set in over 90 acres of gardens and park wander around the landscaped parkland and in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the formal gardens, followed by lunch at Blenheim or Vale of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Welcome the adjacent picturesque village of Woodstock. dinner in the two AA Rosette restaurant. Return to Garsington Opera to enjoy afternoon tea with champagne prior to the UK stage premiere FRI 19 JUL Travel to Wormsley for a private visit to of Offenbach’s enchanting opera Fantasio. the Getty Library which houses one of the finest private collections of books and manuscripts SUN 21 JUL Today is an opportunity to rest and relax in the country. Feast on a gourmet picnic in the at Hartwell House with its beautiful gardens or visit grounds before the evening performance of the Spa, set in a former orangery. In the evening a Britten’s haunting opera Turn of the Screw. three-course dinner will be served during the long interval of the performance of Don Giovanni. SAT 20 JUL Independent visit to Blenheim Palace, GARSINGTON OPERA PAVILION birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and now a MON 22 JUL Independent departure.

PROGRAMME ARRIVAL INFORMATION

19 Jul 18.35 TURN OF THE SCREW Britten Inc If travelling to Hartwell House by car, the nearest stations are D: Louisa Muller Haddenham & Thame Parkway and Aylesbury with regular C: Richard Farnes fast and comfortable services from London Marylebone and Cast: Ed Lyon, Sophie Bevan, Kathleen Birmingham. Haddenham & Thame Parkway is the quickest Wilkinson, Katherine Broderick service with some trains taking just 35 minutes from London. New production PRICE (PER PERSON) 20 Jul 18.05 FANTASIO Offenbach Inc D: Martin Duncan Tour price £2250 C: Justin Doyle Single room supplement £320 Cast: Hanna Hipp, Jennifer France, Huw Deposit required £600 Montague Rendall, Timothy Robinson, Tour price includes: Group transfers from and to included activities Brian Bannatyne-Scott where applicable, accommodation, breakfast daily, two dinners, one UK stage premiere lunch, afternoon tea with champagne, sightseeing tours as described including guides and entrance fees, first category ticket for each 21 Jul 17.45 DON GIOVANNI Mozart Inc included performance, opera synopses, restaurant guide and city D: Michael Boyd notes, the services of our local representative or tour manager. C: Douglas Boyd Cast: Jonathan McGovern, David Ireland, Camilla Titinger, Sky Ingram SOPHIE BEVAN New production

Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com 23 opera

“We have always enjoyed travelling with you. Each and every trip so far has been of BREGENZ high quality and well beyond expectations.” FESTIVAL – Mrs K, London A UNIQUE OPERA STAGE

Price from £2475 pp

20 – 24 July 2019 Tour code: BRE1 NEW PRODUCTION | NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

A must on any opera lover’s calendar, the spectacle of opera on the beautiful Lake Constance in Bregenz offers an unforgettable experience. 2019 sees a new production of Verdi’s Rigoletto, whilst the Festspielhaus offers his Messa da Requiem, the composer’s choral masterpiece and lighter fare with Massenet’s comic opera Don Quichotte. Great cultural offerings in the most unique of settings!

CARMEN ON THE FLOATING STAGE AT BREGENZ FESTIVAL © ANJA KÖHLER - PIGRAFIK

SAT 20 JUL Arrive mid-afternoon in Zürich and enjoy a stroll before returning to the hotel. There PROGRAMME approx. 2 hour transfer by private coach to the is time to relax before departing for Bregenz and 21 Jul 11.00 DON QUICHOTTE Massenet Inc 4-star Hotel Bad Schachen in Lindau on the south- a performance of Verdi’s Requiem, conducted by D: Mariame Clément facing shore of Lake Constance. Welcome drink Fabio Luisi with a cast of four outstanding soloists. C: Antonino Fogliani upon arrival and dinner that night in the hotel. Cast includes: Gábor Bretz, Anna TUE 23 JUL Spend the day at leisure and maybe Goryachova​ and Léonie Renaud SUN 21 JUL Travel the short distance by coach take advantage of the Bad Schachen Spa or indoor Venue: Festspielhaus along Lake Constance to Bregenz for a late morning pool. A special barbecue dinner is provided at the 22 Jul 19.30 MESSA DA REQUIEM Verdi Inc performance of Massenet’s comedy Don Quichotte hotel before departing for Bregenz. The journey on C: Fabio Luisi in the Festspielhaus. This is followed by a 3-course this occasion is by boat, crossing Lake Constance Cast: Maria José Siri, Anna Goryachova, Sergey Romanovsky and Gábor Bretz lunch at a local restaurant and a guided backstage and watching the breathtaking lake stage come Venue: Festspielhaus tour of the Festival Complex. Return to the hotel into view whilst sipping a glass of sparkling wine. in Lindau for the evening and dinner at leisure. Tonight’s performance is Verdi’s powerful and 23 Jul 21.15 RIGOLETTO Verdi Inc D: Philipp Stölzl tragic opera Rigoletto, which is being performed MON 22 JUL Join your guide for a walking tour C: tbc for the first time on the Festival’s floating stage. Cast includes: Stephen Costello, Franco of Lindau island, exploring its medieval town Vassallo and Hila Fahima and picturesque location. Choose from one of WED 24 JUL Transfer to Zürich for the New Production Venue: Floating Stage the many restaurants on the island for lunch and afternoon flight to London. FLIGHTS

British Airways LINDAU ISLAND 20 Jul London Heathrow - Zürich dep: 12.10 arr: 15.00 24 Jul Zürich - London Heathrow dep: 15.50 arr: 16.40 Flight schedules are subject to alteration. Flights from other UK airports can be arranged on request.

PRICE (PER PERSON)

Tour price £2475 Single room supplement £360 Club Europe flight upgrade from £350 Land-only tour price £2265 Deposit required £600 Tour price includes: Flights and airport taxes, group transfers from and to airport and for included activities where applicable, accommodation, breakfast daily, two dinners, one lunch, welcome drink, sightseeing tours as described including guides and entrance fees, first or second category ticket for each performance, opera BREGENZ OPERA HOUSE synopses, restaurant guide and city notes, the services of our local representative or tour manager. *Please contact us should you wish to upgrade to a lake side facing view with or without a balcony. 24 Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com opera

MACERATA OPERA FESTIVAL

Price from £1750 pp

1 – 5 August 2019 Tour code: MAC1 NEW PRODUCTION | NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

The 55th Macerata Opera Festival sees a new production of Bizet’s Carmen and the welcome return of Emma Dante’s award-winning Macbeth and its widely-acclaimed production of Rigoletto. ‘Rossodesiderio’ - or ‘red as desire’ - is the theme for the 2019 Festival, conveyed by jealousy, power and possession in these three dramatic operas, all presented in the magnificent Arena Sferisterio, a 19th-century games arena.

MACBETH

THU 1 AUG Late morning arrival in Bologna and SAT 3 AUG Morning visit to the nearby town of followed by a tour of the museum dedicated to the transfer to Macerata in Le Marche (approx. 3 hours). Tolentino to view the rare triple-faced clock tower, great tenor Beniamino Gigli who was born in Recanati Stop en route for lunch in Gabicce Monte before arrival Basilica di San Nicola, Palazzo Parisani Bezzi and the in 1890. A large number of costumes, music scores and and check-in at the 3-star Hotel Lauri in the city centre. Chapel of San Catervo which contains a 4th-century numerous honours and awards received by the tenor marble sarcophagus with its original dedicatory during his forty-year career can be viewed. Lunch is at FRI 2 AUG The day starts with a walking tour of the inscription to a Roman nobleman Flavius Julius a local restaurant before returning to Macerata for the historic city of Macerata, visiting the 18th-century Catervus who reputedly brought Christianity to afternoon and dinner at leisure. Pre-opera drinks are on Palazzo Buonaccorsi - with its Hall of the Aeneid filled Tolentino. Lunch is in a local restaurant before offer before the evening performance of Verdi’s Macbeth. with rococo paintings depicting a series of events from returning to Macerata. The performance that night is a Virgil’s epic - and home to a carriage museum. In the MON 5 AUG Spend the morning shopping, sightseeing new production of Bizet’s Carmen. afternoon walk in the footsteps of great performing or just relaxing before transferring to Bologna for the artists such as Pavarotti and Nureyev during a behind- SUN 4 AUG Visit to the ancient town of Recanati and evening flight home. Lunch in a local restaurant en the-scenes visit to the Arena Sferisterio. The first opera Villa Colloredo Mels which houses a collection of route to the airport. of the tour is Verdi’s Rigoletto. paintings from the 14th to the 20th century. This is

MACERATA PROGRAMME AT THE ARENA SFERISTERIO FLIGHTS

2 Aug 21.00 RIGOLETTO Verdi Inc British Airways D: Federico Grazzini 1 Aug London Heathrow - Bologna dep: 08.00 arr: 11.10 C: Giampaolo Bisanti 5 Aug Bologna - London Heathrow dep: 18.50 arr: 20.10 Cast: Enea Scala, Amartuvshin Enkhbat, Flight schedules are subject to alteration. Claudia Pavone, Simon Orifila, Martina Belli Flights from other UK airports can be arranged on request. 3 Aug 21.00 CARMEN Bizet Inc PRICE (PER PERSON) D: Jacopo Spirei C: Francesco Lanzillotta Tour price £1750 Cast: Irene Roberts, Migran Agadzhanyan, Club Europe flight upgrade from £300 David Bizic, Valentina Mastrangelo Land-only tour price £1580 New production Deposit required £350 ARENA SFERISTERIO 4 Aug 21.00 MACBETH Verdi Inc Tour price includes: Flights and airport taxes, group transfers from and to airport and for included activities where applicable, accommodation, D: Emma Dante breakfast daily, four lunches, pre-opera drinks, sightseeing tours as C: Francesco Ivan Ciampa described including guides and entrance fees, first category ticket for Cast: Roberto Frontali, Alex Esposito, each included performance, opera synopses, restaurant guide and Saioa Hernandez, Giovanni Sala city notes, the services of our local representative or tour manager. Please note: There are many cobbles and a steep slope towards the Sferisterio, so may not be suitable for anyone unsteady on their feet. Taxis can be taken if necessary.

Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com 25 opera

A CELEBRATION OF PLÁCIDO DOMINGO IN VERONA

Price from £1895 pp

2 – 5 August 2019 Tour code: VRN1 In 2019 Verona celebrates Plácido Domingo who made his Italian debut at the Arena in 1969. Domingo will conduct one performance of Bizet’s masterpiece Carmen and will be the star of a special night dedicated to this great artist in which he will be both baritone and conductor. In addition, Verdi’s Aida returns to the Arena in a historically- inspired production.

“I have travelled with you a number of times and always enjoy the tours. Travel for the Arts is always my first choice due to the quality of the tours and staff.”

Miss B, Devon

26 Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com PLÁCIDO DOMINGO © GREG GORMAN LAO / COURTESY OF FONDAZIONE ARENA DI VERONA opera

ARENA DI VERONA © ENNEVI / COURTESY OF FONDAZIONE ARENA DI VERONA

PIAZZA DELLE ERBE

PROGRAMME 2 Aug 20.45 CARMEN Bizet £192 D: Hugo di Ana C: Plácido Domingo 3 Aug 20.45 AIDA Verdi Inc D: Gianfranco de Bosio C: tbc 4 Aug 20.45  PLÁCIDO DOMINGO Inc CARMEN © ENNEVI / COURTESY OF FONDAZIONE ARENA DI VERONA 50 ARENA ANNIVERSARY NIGHT Programme: Scenes from Verdi's Nabucco, I due Foscari, Macbeth Full casting will be confirmed in Spring 2019 FRI 2 AUG Arrive at Verona airport in the afternoon SUN 4 AUG Depart for Piacenza for a tour of this FLIGHTS and transfer the short distance to the 4-star Hotel picturesque city. Visits include the Basilica with Easyjet Colomba d’Oro in the heart of Verona. Welcome its 8-sided tower and 17th-century frescoes, the 2 Aug London Gatwick - Verona dep: 13.15 arr: 16.20 dinner in a local restaurant, after which there is the Loggia del Capitano and the Palladian Teatro 5 Aug Verona - London Gatwick dep: 16.50 arr: 17.55 option to relax or see Bizet’s Carmen at the Arena, Olimpico with its stunning interiors and listed Flight schedules are subject to alteration. Flights from other UK airports can be arranged on request. conducted that night only by Plácido Domingo. by UNESCO. The tour ends with lunch in a local restaurant before returning to Verona. That PRICE (PER PERSON) SAT 3 AUG This morning enjoy a walking tour of night the Arena hosts the ‘Plácido Domingo 50 Tour price £1895 Verona, taking in Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza dei Arena Anniversary Night’, with newly-staged acts Single room supplement £375 Signori, the civic centre of Verona. A travel pass is Land-only tour price £1750 from three of Verdi’s operas with other artists Deposit required £450 included for independent visits to three notable performing alongside the world’s great opera star. Tour price includes: Flights and airport taxes, group transfers churches. Lunch and the afternoon are at leisure for from and to airport and for included activities where applicable, MON 5 AUG Spend the morning and you to further enjoy the splendours of this historic accommodation, breakfast daily, one dinner, one lunch, sightseeing lunch at leisure before transferring to the tours as described including guides and entrance fees, first or second city. The performance that night is Verdi’s Aida in category ticket for each performance, opera synopses, restaurant guide airport for the afternoon flight home. and city notes, the services of our local representative or tour manager. a production inspired by the first stage design of the opera which opened the Festival in 1913.

Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com 27 opera

“First class experience, professionally managed, THE ROSSINI friendly group.” OPERA Mr and Mrs H, Cleveland FESTIVAL IN PESARO

Price from £1995 pp

17 - 21 August 2019 Tour code: PES1 NEW PRODUCTIONS

This annual Festival is entirely devoted to Pesaro’s most famous son, the composer (and gourmet) Gioachino Rossini. The 2019 Festival offers the opportunity to hear two early works – Demetrio e Polibio and L’equivoco stravagante – both written when Rossini was still a teenager, and the more mature Semiramide – a true gem of bel canto. As ever, Pesaro attracts some of the best singers, conductors and directors in the world of opera.

DEMETRIO E POLIBIO © STUDIO AMATI BACCIARDI

SAT 17 AUG Arrive late afternoon in Bologna and Palazzo del Podestà and the Malatesta tombs. WED 21 AUG Spend the morning as you wish and transfer to Pesaro (approx. 2 hours). Check in at the Return to Pesaro for lunch in a local restaurant. enjoy a lunch of your choice before transferring 4-star Hotel Savoy, situated in the heart of Pesaro, The afternoon is free for independent exploration to Bologna for the evening flight home. and then enjoy a light dinner in a local restaurant. or relaxation before transferring to the Adriatic Arena for L’equivoco stravagante, or The Curious SUN 18 AUG Join your guide for a morning walking Misunderstanding, another early work by Rossini. tour ‘in the footsteps of Rossini’. View a section of the 6th-century mosaic floor at the Cathedral before TUE 20 AUG The day is spent at Rimini, one of spending time at Casa Rossini, the great composer’s Italy’s most famous seaside resorts, replete with birthplace and now a museum housing a large ancient Roman and Renaissance monuments. collection of memorabilia. Lunch and the afternoon Accompanied by a local guide, visit the city’s Arch of at leisure before the evening performance at Teatro Augustus, Tempio Malatestiano, Bridge of Tiberius, Rossini of Demetrio e Polibio, Rossini’s first attempt at the recently-excavated Surgeon’s House and the a full-scale opera, written when he was still a student. City Museum. Lunch in a local restaurant before returning to Pesaro. The performance that evening MON 19 AUG Spend the morning discovering the is a new production of Semiramide, based on ancient town of Fano. Highlights include the Roman Voltaire’s tragedy Semiramis, at the Adriatic Arena. Arch of Augustus, the 12th-century Cathedral, PIAZZA DEL POPOLO

PROGRAMME FLIGHTS

18 Aug 20.00 DEMETRIO E POLIBIO Rossini Inc British Airways D: Davide Livermore 17 Aug London Heathrow - Bologna dep: 14.45 arr: 17.55 C: Paolo Arrivabene 21 Aug Bologna - London Heathrow dep: 18.50 arr: 20.10 Venue: Teatro Rossini Flight schedules are subject to alteration. Flights from other UK airports can be arranged on request. 19 Aug 20.00 L’EQUIVOCO STRAVAGANTE Rossini Inc D: Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier PRICE (PER PERSON) C: Carlo Rizzi Venue: Adriatic Arena Tour price £1995 New production Single room supplement £400 Club Europe flight upgrade from £350 20 Aug 20.00 SEMIRAMIDE Rossini Inc Land-only tour price £1,850 D: Graham Vick Deposit required £450 C: Michele Mariotti Tour price includes: Flights and airport taxes, group transfers from and Venue: Adriatic Arena to airport and for included activities where applicable, accommodation, New production breakfast daily, one dinner, two lunches, sightseeing tours as described BUST OF GIOACHINO ROSSINI including guides and entrance fees, first category ticket for each Full casting will be confirmed in Spring 2019 included performance, opera synopses, restaurant guide and city notes, the services of our local representative or tour manager.

28 Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com opera & classical music

THE SALZBURG FESTIVAL

Price from £3325 pp

28 August – 2 September 2019 Tour code: SZG2 NEW PRODUCTIONS

Many of the world’s greatest artists will gather in the city of Mozart to deliver a programme of musical depth and discovery with two new productions: Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra, conducted by Valery Gergiev, and Offenbach’s entertaining Orhpée aux Enfers, plus a concert performance of Verdi’s Luisa Miller starring Plácido Domingo, Nino Machaidze and Piotr Beczała. Andris Nelsons conducts the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig and pianist Murray Perahia performs with the Vienna Philharmonic under the baton of the legendary Bernard Haitink.

WIENERPHILHARMONIKER © ANNEZEUNER / SALZBURG FESTIVAL

WED 28 AUG Morning arrival in Salzburg and restaurant where you can enjoy haute cuisine and Lunch will be served at restaurant M32 located in transfer to either the comfortable 4-star Hotel NH stunning panoramic vistas of the Alps and the the Museum of Modern Art and overlooking the Salzburg City or the luxurious 5-star Hotel Bristol, imposing Watzmann mountain. Return to Salzburg historic district of Salzburg. The afternoon is at both located in the city centre. Early welcome in the afternoon in time for the opera performance. leisure before the evening opera performance. dinner at the award-winning gourmet restaurant FRI 30 AUG A late morning concert performance is SUN 1 SEP This morning there will be backstage tours Carpe Diem in the Old Town before the option followed by an independent lunch and the afternoon of the main Festival houses: the Grosses Festspielhaus, of the evening’s orchestral performance. at leisure before the opera performance that evening. Haus für Mozart and the Felsenreitschule, subject THU 29 AUG Morning excursion to the beautiful to rehearsal schedules. The afternoon is at leisure SAT 31 AUG A guided walking tour of Salzburg Bavarian Alps and Berchtesgaden, a town steeped to further enjoy this magnificent baroque city. will allow you to visit some of the most important in myths and legends. Visit the Royal Palace with its Farewell dinner at the elegant restaurant Sacher. sights of the city such as the Mozarteum, antique furniture, exquisite porcelain and paintings Landestheater, Mirabell Palace and the Cathedral, MON 2 SEP Transfer to the airport for and take in the splendid view from the Upper Rose as well as some lesser-known places of interest. the late morning flight home. Garden. Lunch is at the nearby spectacular Edelweiss

PROGRAMME FLIGHTS

28 Aug 21.00 GEWANDHAUSORCHESTER LEIPZIG Optional 30 Aug 19:00 ORPHÉE AUX ENFERS Offenbach Inc British Airways C: Andris Nelsons D: Barrie Kosky 28 Aug London Gatwick - Salzburg dep: 06.45 arr: 09.45 Programme: C: Enrique Mazzola 2 Sep Salzburg - London Gatwick dep: 11.40 arr: 12.40 Bruckner - Symphony No. 8 in C minor, Cast: Marcel Beekman, Martin Winkler, Flight schedules are subject to alteration. WAB 108 Joel Prieto, Kathryn Lewek, Max Hopp, Flights from other UK airports can be arranged on request. Venue: Grosses Festspielhaus Anne Sofie von Otter, Peter Renz, Vasilisa Berzhanskaya, Frances Pappas, Lea PRICE (PER PERSON) 29 Aug 19.00 SIMON BOCCANEGRA Verdi Inc Desandre, Nadine Weissman D: Andreas Kriegenburg Venue: Haus für Mozart Tour price (4-star Hotel NH) £3325 C: Valery Gergiev New production Single room supplement £490 Cast: Luca Salsi, Marina Rebeka, René Pape, Tour price (5-star Hotel Bristol) £3925 Charles Castronovo, André Heyboer, Antonio 31 Aug 19.00 LUISA MILLER Verdi Inc Single room supplement £500 Di Matteo C: James Conlon Club Europe flight upgrade from £300 Venue: Grosses Festspielhaus Cast: Nino Machaidze, Piotr Beczała, Plácido Land-only discount £230 New production Domingo, Roberto Tagliavini, John Relyea, Deposit required £1000 Teresa Iervolino 30 Aug 11.00 VIENNA PHILHARMONIC Inc *High deposit due to great demand for tickets. Deposits will only be Venue: Grosses Festspielhaus refunded if we are unsuccessful in obtaining tickets for our included C: Bernard Haitink Concert performance performances. Piano: Murray Perahia Programme: Tour price includes: Flights and airport taxes, group transfers from and Tickets are on request and will not be confirmed until Spring to airport and for included activities where applicable, accommodation, Beethoven - Concerto for Piano and 2019 breakfast daily, two dinners, two lunches, sightseeing tours as Orchestra No. 4 in G, Op. 58 described including guides and entrance fees, first or second category Bruckner - Symphony No. 7 in E, WAB 107 ticket for each included performance, opera synopses, restaurant guide Venue: Grosses Festspielhaus and city notes, the services of our local representative or tour manager.

Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com 29 classical music

OUTSTANDING ARTISTS AT THE ENESCU FESTIVAL IN BUCHAREST

Price from £1835 pp

10 – 14 September 2019 Tour code: BUC1 As well as visiting Romania’s capital city of Bucharest and beautiful mountain resort of Sinaia, this tour offers the opportunity to hear great orchestras and musicians. Sir Bryn Terfel sings a special programme of Wagnerian arias “The planning of the and traditional song, cellist Gautier Capuçon and pianist Leif Ove Andsnes all perform at the George holiday was meticulous Enescu Festival, themed ‘The World in Harmony’. and excellent. There is a possibility of meeting the charismatic Thank you.” violinist and conductor Maxim Vengerov, one of the Mr D, Glasgow greatest artists on the concert platform today.

ROMANIAN ATHENAEUM

TUE 10 SEP Late afternoon arrival in Bucharest and THU 12 SEP Morning tour of Bucharest with its visit to the George Enescu Memorial House. Return to transfer to the 5-star Radisson Blu, located within boulevards and curious blend of pre-war Art Nouveau Bucharest for the evening concert. a short distance on foot to the ornate Romanian grandeur and post-war brutalism that make for a SAT 14 SEP Spend the morning at leisure before a Athenauem, the city’s main concert hall. Welcome unique and evocative aesthetic. Highlights include farewell lunch at a local restaurant. Transfer to the dinner in the hotel or a local restaurant. the gargantuan Parliament Palace, erected under airport for the evening flight home. the Ceausescu regime in the 1980s and the world’s WED 11 SEP Walking tour of the Old Town. Wander second largest administrative building after the through the narrow streets and take in the mix of Pentagon. Head then to the shores of Herăstrău Lake history, local culture, architecture and churches, and the National Village Museum, one of Europe’s particularly the 18th-century Stavropoleos oldest open-air museums. Lunch and the afternoon at monastery. The oldest landmark is the Old Court, the leisure before a special recital by Sir Bryn Terfel. residence of medieval princes, including the notorious Vlad the Impaler. Lunch and early afternoon at leisure. FRI 13 SEP Full day tour to the town and mountain The late afternoon’s concert programme is a blend of resort of Sinaia. Visit the Art Nouveau splendour of Romanian and Russian music. After the performance, Pelisor Castle and Peles, the world's first castle fully there may be the possibility to meet the renowned powered by locally-produced electricity. Lunch will MAXIM VENGEROV © B EALOVEGA Siberian violinist and conductor Maxim Vengerov. be served at a local restaurant and there will also be a

PROGRAMME FLIGHTS

11 Sep 17.00 ORCHESTRE PHILHARMONIQUE Inc 13 Sep 19.30  OSLO PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Inc British Airways DE MONTE CARLO C: Vasily Petrenko 10 Sep London Heathrow - Bucharest dep: 11.50 arr: 17.10 C: Maxim Vengerov Piano: Leif Ove Andsnes 14 Sep Bucharest – London Heathrow dep: 19.25 arr: 20.55 Violin: Maxim Vengerov Programme includes: Flight schedules are subject to alteration. Cello: Gautier Capuçon Øyvind Torvund - New Work for Orchestra Flights from other UK airports can be arranged on request. Programme includes: Grieg - Piano Concerto in A minor op. 16 Enescu - Ballade for Violin and orchestra Venue: Grand Palace Hall PRICE (PER PERSON) Tchaikovsky - Andante Cantabile in B major Tour price £1835 Venue: Romanian Athenaeum Tickets are on request and further details will be provided in the Spring. Single room supplement £320 12 Sep 17.00 ORCHESTRE PHILHARMONIQUE Inc Club Europe flight upgrade from £400 DE MONTE CARLO *Please note that Travel for the Arts cannot confirm Land-only tour price £1695 C: Gareth Jones this meeting with Maxim Vengerov until closer to the Deposit required £400 performance date. Baritone: Sir Bryn Terfel Tour price includes: Flights and airport taxes, group transfers from and Programme includes: to airport and for included activities where applicable, accommodation, Verdi - ‘L’onore! Ladri!’ from Falstaff breakfast daily, one dinner, two lunches, sightseeing tours as described Wagner - ‘Was duftet doch der Flieder’ from including guides and entrance fees, first category ticket for each Die Meistersinger included performance, opera synopses, restaurant guide and city Venue: Romanian Athenaeum notes, the services of our local representative or tour manager.

30 Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com opera

THE VERDI FESTIVAL IN PARMA

Price from £2095 pp

2 – 6 October 2019 Tour code: PMF1 NEW PRODUCTIONS

The food capital of Italy, Parma is also a city of art and great music. Its annual Verdi Festival offers an insight into the life and works of its local and much-loved composer, Giuseppe Verdi. Hear the famous Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves in Nabucco, the triumphal March from Aida and the romantic drama of Luisa Miller in three stunning theatrical venues.

GIUSEPPE VERDI STATUE IN PARMA

WED 2 OCT Early evening arrival in Bologna and of Italy. The performance that night at the opulent workings of this magnificent theatre, one of the most transfer by coach to Parma (approx. 1 hour). Teatro Regio is Nabucco, the opera Verdi claimed was beautiful in Italy. The rest of the day is at leisure for Check in at the centrally-located 4-star Hotel Sina the one with which his artistic career really began. independent sightseeing and shopping before an Maria Luigia then enjoy a welcome dinner. optional final evening performance of Luisa Miller. FRI 4 OCT The morning is free for further independent THU 3 OCT Start the day with a tour of Parma, visiting discovery of the historic city of Parma, whilst the SUN 6 OCT Transfer to Bologna for the homeward flight. the striking octagonal Baptistry and the 12th-century afternoon is dedicated to Verdi with time spent at Villa Romanesque cathedral with its famous ceiling Verdi in Sant’Agata, the great composer’s home for more PROGRAMME fresco by Correggio, considered a masterpiece of than 50 years. This is followed by visits to his birthplace 3 Oct time tbc NABUCCO Verdi Inc Renaissance art. Further works by Correggio can in the village of Le Roncole and Casa Barezzi in Busseto, Venue: Teatro Regio, Parma be viewed in the sumptuous Camera di San Paolo. where Verdi gave his earliest public performance New production

Also visit the stunning Teatro Farnese, built from and also fell in love with his first wife Margherita 4 Oct time tbc AIDA Verdi Inc wood and plaster and painted to seem like marble. Barezzi. Dinner is at the local restaurant ‘I due Foscari’, Venue: Teatro Verdi, Buseto The theatre was almost entirely destroyed during formerly owned by the great tenor Carlo Bergonzi. 5 Oct time tbc LUISA MILLER Verdi £230 the war, but subsequently restored to become one The evening performance is Aida at the ornate, yet Venue: tbc of the most breathtaking in all of Italy. Lunch and intimate Teatro Verdi in Busseto, after which there is an New production the afternoon are at leisure in Parma, offering the approximate 45-minute coach journey back to Parma. Production teams and casting will be confirmed in early 2019. opportunity to experience the culinary delights of SAT 5 OCT A late morning backstage tour of the Teatro what is considered by many the gourmet capital FLIGHTS Regio offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the British Airways 2 Oct London Heathrow - Bologna dep: 14.55 arr: 18.05 6 Oct Bologna - London Heathrow dep: 12.20 arr: 13.40 TEATRO REGIO Flight schedules are subject to alteration. Flights from other UK airports can be arranged on request.

PRICE (PER PERSON)

Tour price £2095 Single room supplement £240 Club Europe flight upgrade from £250 Land-only tour price £1945 Deposit required £400 Tour price includes: Flights and airport taxes, group transfers from and to airport and for included activities where applicable, accommodation, breakfast daily, two dinners, sightseeing tours as described including guides and entrance fees, first category ticket for NABUCCO each included performance, opera synopses, restaurant guide and city notes, the services of our local representative or tour manager.

Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com 31 carpenter holidays

PRINTEMPS DES TRAVEL FOR THE ARTS ARTS IN MONTE CARLO in association with CARPENTER HOLIDAYS Price from £1395 pp Over the past three years, Travel for the Arts has enjoyed a 21 – 25 March 2019 Tour code: MCA1 fruitful collaboration with Stephen Carpenter who has led holidays to the Lake District Summer Music Festival, the A CARPENTER HOLIDAY Schubertiade in Schwarzenberg in Austria and his ‘Mendelssohn Enjoy some early spring sun in the beautiful setting of Monte in Scotland’ tour. We are delighted to announce visits to Carlo where we join the annual “Printemps des Arts” Festival Printemps des Arts in Monte Carlo and BergFrühling Festival featuring a variety of music from solo piano, string quartet to in Ossiach in the New Year, details of which can be found here, full orchestral performed by the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte Carlo. Sightseeing trips including Villefranche and on the websites www.travelforthearts.com and www. sur Mer, the beautiful coastal village along the coast from carpenterholidays.com. This holiday will be arranged and led Monaco, a walking tour of Monte Carlo and an afternoon on by Stephen Carpenter in association with Travel for the Arts the "Voyage Surprise" organised by the Festival. and will be fully covered by our ABTA and ATOL membership. Welcome to CARPENTER HOLIDAYS The Festivals in Monte Carlo and Ossiach promise a feast of good music performed by leading musicians from around the world and in such different and magical settings! I hope that you will be attracted by the programmes and be tempted to join these tours featuring such artists as the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte Carlo performing Brahms and Mendelssohn and the Alban Berg Ensemble Wien which has made a huge impact on audiences in Austria and whom we will join at their annual festival on the shores of the Ossiach Lake.

Stephen Carpenter ORCHESTRE PHILHARMONIQUE DE MONTE CARLO © JC VINAJ Director, Carpenter Holidays

THU 21 MAR Afternoon arrival in SAT 23 MAR Morning walking tour of Nice and transfer by coach (approx. Monte Carlo before a free afternoon, 40 minutes) to Monte Carlo to early dinner and evening concert. check into the Novotel Monte SUN 24 MAR A free morning to explore “Thanks again for organising such an enjoyable visit.” Carlo where we will have an early Monte Carlo before embarking on the dinner before the evening concert. Mr L, May 2017, Whittington Festival 'Voyage Surprise' trip out of Monte FRI 22 MAR Morning visit to the Carlo to a mystery destination with neighbouring coastal village of musical entertainment. Return to “Scotland and the Lake District are among the best Villefranche with its 12th century old Monte Carlo in the evening for dinner holidays I’ve ever had and I do hope that there will town and waterfront quay. Lunch under your own arrangements. is under your own arrangements. MON 25 MAR Enjoy the morning be many more to come in the future!” We then travel back to Monte at leisure in Monte Carlo before Carlo for an afternoon at leisure Miss D, August 2017, Mendelssohn in Scotland and Lake District transferring to Nice airport before an early dinner in the hotel for the return flight home. followed by the evening concert.

32 Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com carpenter holidays

MONTE CARLO

MONTE CARLO

ORCHESTRE PHILHARMONIQUE DE MONTE CARLO © JC VINAJ MONTE CARLO

PROGRAMME AT THE PRINTEMPS DES ARTS DE MONTE CARLO FLIGHTS

21 Mar 20.30 RECITAL Marie Vermuellin (piano) Inc 23 Mar 20.30 CONCERT Orchestre Inc British Airways Salle Empire, Hotel de Paris Philarmonique de Monte Carlo 21 Mar London Heathrow - Nice dep: 11.50 arr: 15.00 Programme: Auditorium Rainier III 25 Mar Nice - London Heathrow dep: 15.50 arr: 16.55 Debussy Pour le Piano Conductor: Michai Nesterowicz Flight schedules are subject to alteration. Debussy Les Etudes I-VI Piano: Philippe Bianconi Flights from other UK airports can be arranged on request. Debussy Estampes Programme: Debussy Les Etudes VII-X Mendelssohn Overture – Athalie Op. 74 PRICE (PER PERSON) Brahms Piano Concerto No 1 in D minor, 22 Mar 20.30 CONCERT Quatour Diotime Inc Op. 15 Tour Price £1395 Salle Empire, Hotel de Paris Mendelssohn Overture – Ruy Blas Op. 95 Single Supplement £260 Programme: Brahms Piano Concerto No 2 in B flat major Club Europe flight upgrade from £300 Alexandro Markeas Die neuen ruinen Op. 83 Land-only tour price £1325 von Athen (new commission) Deposit £300 Beethoven String Quartet in C sharp minor, Tour price includes: Accommodation, breakfast daily, three dinners Op. 131 with wine, best ticket for each included performance, concert programmes, sightseeing trips as described, international flight from London to Nice and the services of Stephen Carpenter as tour manager.

Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com 33 carpenter holidays

BERGFRÜHLING FESTIVAL IN OSSIACH

Price from £1495 pp

29 MAY – 2 JUNE 2019 Tour code: OSS1

A CARPENTER HOLIDAY

The beautiful Ossiacher See is located in the Carinthia region in Southern Austria. It was the summer retreat of the musical Berg family, and the Alban Berg Ensemble Wien has created a Festival of chamber music in Ossiach, centred around the new 500-seater Alban Berg Saal and the Pfaffkirche St Georg. As well as enjoying five concerts at the Festival, we will take a trip to the tiny village of Gurk where we will explore the extraordinary Cathedral with its splendid Baroque interior. We will stay at the Seewirt Hotel or similar overlooking the Lake and a short walk from the concert venues.

OSSIACHER SEE

WED 29 MAY Arrive in Vienna and FRI 31 MAY Morning and evening THE HARP FOUNTAIN IN OSSIACH transfer by coach approx. 3.5 hour via concerts with a 2.5 hour boat trip on Graz and Klagenfurt to check into the the Ossiacher See in between. Seewirt Hotel in Ossiach. Dinner at SAT 1 JUN Morning and evening the hotel. concerts with a free afternoon in THU 30 MAY Morning visit to Gurk Ossiach. Late afternoon exclusive Cathedral, built between 1140 and talk from the President of the Berg 1200 and one of the most important Foundation, giving details of Berg’s Romanesque buildings in Austria. association with Ossiach, and the We will have a guided tour of the planning of the Festival. Cathedral followed by an independent SUN 2 JUN Return journey by coach lunch in the village. Return to Ossiach approx. 3.5 hour to Vienna airport for to rest before an early dinner in the the flight home. hotel followed by the evening concert.

34 Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com carpenter holidays

GURK CATHEDRAL

ALBAN BERG ENSEMBLE WIEN © GUENTER MIK

ALBAN BERG SAAL © JOHANNES PUCH

PROGRAMME AT THE BERGFRÜHLING FESTIVAL 2019 FLIGHTS British Airways 30 May 19.00 OPENING CONCERT – ALBAN BERG SAAL 1 May 11.00 CONCERT – PFAFFKIRCHE ST GEORG 29 May London Heathrow - Vienna dep 10.00 arr 13.30 Programme: Programme: 2 Jun Vienna - London Heathrow dep 19.10 arr 20.30 Mahler (arranged Erwin Stein for chamber Wagner “Particular Piece” for 4 cellos ensemble) Symphony No 4 in E flat Janacek “On Adult Paths” for 4 cellos Flight schedules are subject to alteration. Flights from other UK airports can be arranged on request. Followed by champagne reception Debussy Syrinx for solo flute Janacek String Quartet No 1 “Kreuzter PRICE (PER PERSON) 31 May 11.00 CONCERT – ALBAN BERG SAAL Sonata” Programme: Tour Price £1495 Berg Seven Early Songs arranged for 1 May 19.30 ALBAN BERG SAAL Single room supplement £240 soprano and ensemble Programme: Club Europe flight upgrade from £350 Respighi Il Tramonto for mezzo-soprano and Schubert Minuet and Trios for String Quintet Land-only tour price £1350 String Quartet and double bass, D 89 Deposit required £400 Brahms Clarinet Trio in A minor Op 114 Berg Adagio from the Violin Concerto Richard Strauss Der Rosenkavalier Suite Tour price includes: Flights and airport taxes, group transfers 31 May 19.00 CONCERT – ALBAN BERG SAAL from and to airport and for included activities where applicable, accommodation, breakfast daily, three dinners with wine, sightseeing Programme: All concerts performed by the Alban Berg Ensemble Wien tours as described including entrance fees, best ticket for each included Mozart Flute Quartet in D, K 285 performance, the services of Stephen Carpenter as tour manager. Schoenberg Chamber Symphony Op 9 (arranged Anton Webern) Mahler Symphony No 10 Adagio (arranged for the Alban Berg Ensemble Wien)

Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com 35 à la carte

OPERA, BALLET CLASSICAL MUSIC À LA CARTE

Travel for the Arts à la Carte is designed for clients who prefer to travel independently. Our expert consultants offer a complete bespoke planning and booking service, taking care of travel, accommodation and performance tickets in any music or ballet destination you choose.

• With over 30 years’ experience in • We arrange your travel to suit your arranging travel for groups and needs and can investigate journeys individuals, we are often able to by air, rail or even private jet. We source tickets for the most sought- also offer private transfers on arrival after performances, many featuring or departure. the star performers of the day. • We are able to book your own choice • We tailor your itinerary for the of hotel or offer advice on suitable dates you wish to travel and for alternatives. the performances you wish to • We can advise on and arrange see. We can also offer suggestions unique bespoke experiences such based on your requirements, as backstage tours, guided providing seasonal opera and sightseeing, restaurant bookings ballet programmes and making and access to other cultural events. recommendations.

Whether to celebrate a special occasion or simply as a short break, let Travel for the Arts create an unforgettable opera, ballet and classical music experience just for you.

36 à la carte

HOW TO BOOK Telephone our designated à la Carte line on 020 8799 8354 or email [email protected] for a quotation. Your itinerary will be individually designed to meet your requirements.

“As always, I find Travel for the Arts the right people to arrange my a la carte trips.”

Mr M, Yorkshire

CHINARA ALIZADE AND VLADIMIR YAROSHENKO © EWA KRASUCKA /TEATR WIELKI - POLISH NATIONAL OPERA 37 terms and conditions

1. ABOUT TRAVEL FOR THE ARTS you will have the option of accepting a change to another holiday if we are able to offer one (and 1.1 Your contract will be with Specialised Travel Ltd trading as TRAVEL FOR THE ARTS, whose registered we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value), or cancel and receive a office is at 12-15 Hanger Green, London W5 3EL, telephone number 020 8799 8350 and email address full refund of all moneys paid, except for any amendment charges. Should you decide to cancel: [email protected], which is a fully bonded member of the Association of British Travel Agents (1) you must do so within the time period shown on your final invoice; (2) we will provide a refund (ABTA) (ABTA number V7795) and appointed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). of insurance premiums paid to us if you can show that you are unable to transfer of reuse your 1.2 The air holidays and flights in our brochures & promotional material are ATOL protected (as policy. Whether you cancel or not you will also be entitled, under the terms set out in respect of detailed in clause 1.3 below), since we hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence granted by the Civil major changes (Alterations and Cancellations by us) to accept from us an offer of alternative travel Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 2178. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAA will arrangements if we are able to do so and compensation as set out below. ensure that you are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for 3.4 Should the price of your holiday go down due to the changes mentioned above, then any refund an advance booking. For further information, visit the ATOL website at www.caa.co.uk, the CAA can be due will be paid to you. We will deduct from this refund our administrative expenses incurred. Please contacted at 45-59 Kingsway, London WC2B 6TE. note that travel arrangements are not always purchased in local currency and some apparent changes have no impact on the price of your travel due to contractual and other protection in place. YOUR FINANCIAL PROTECTION 3.5 Please note that in accordance with Air Navigation Orders, in order to qualify for infant status, a 1.3 We provide financial protection for our package holidays. child must be under 2 years of age on the date of its return flight. a) When you buy a flight-based holiday from us, you will receive financial protection for your flight-based holiday under our ATOL licence (detailed above), and you will receive an ATOL 4. ALTERATIONS AND CANCELLATIONS BY YOU Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong. 4.1 If, after our confirmation has been issued, you wish to change to another of our holidays or modify, at any time, the travel arrangements and/or tour itineraries shown, we will do our utmost to b) We, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL Certificate, will provide you with the services listed on make the changes provided that notification is received in writing at our offices from the person who the ATOL Certificate (or a suitable alternative). In some cases, where neither we nor the supplier are signed the Booking Form. We reserve the right to charge an administration fee of £35.00 per person able to do so for reasons of insolvency, an alternative ATOL holder may provide you with the services in order to process that change, in addition to any further cost in making the alteration. You should you have bought or a suitable alternative (at no extra cost to you). You agree to accept that in those circumstances the alternative ATOL holder will perform those obligations and you agree to pay any be aware that these costs could increase the closer to the departure date that changes are made and money outstanding to be paid by you under your contract to that alternative ATOL holder. However, you should contact us as soon as possible. Please note that certain travel arrangements (eg, concert you also agree that in some cases it will not be possible to appoint an alternative ATOL holder, in tickets) may not be changeable after a reservation has been made and any alteration request could which case you will be entitled to make a claim under the ATOL scheme (or your credit card issuer incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements. where applicable). 4.2 You, or any member of your party, may cancel your holiday at any time provided that notice of c) If we, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL certificate, are unable to provide the services listed (or the cancellation is made to our offices by the person signing the Booking Form and is in writing. As a suitable alternative, through an alternative ATOL holder or otherwise) for reasons of insolvency, certain travel arrangements and bookings cannot be changed after confirmation, cancellation incurs the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust may make a payment to (or confer a benefit on) you under the administration costs. We will retain your deposit and the cost of any performance tickets, and in ATOL scheme. You agree that in return for such a payment or benefit you assign absolutely to those addition may apply cancellation charges up to the maximum shown in Clause 4.3 below. Trustees any claims which you have or may have arising out of or relating to the non-provision Period before departure within which written confirmation of cancellation is received and amount of the services, including any claim against us, the travel agent (or your credit card issuer where 4.3 applicable). You also agree that any such claims may be re-assigned to another body, if that other of cancellation charge shown as a percentage of the holiday price: body has paid sums you have claimed under the ATOL scheme. More than 56 days ...... Holiday deposit and performance tickets 1.4 Financial protection for non-flight packages is provided to you as bonded members of ABTA. When 56 - 42 days...... 40% of tour price you buy a package holiday from us that does not include a flight, then financial protection is provided 41-31 days...... 65% of tour price by way of our ABTA bond (please see www.abta.co.uk, who can be contacted at 30 Park Street, London 30 – day of travel...... 100% of tour price SE1 9EQ), as per the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. 4.4 No refund will be given after the commencement of travel except at our discretion. Please note that if the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy then you may be 2. TO MAKE A BOOKING able to reclaim these charges. 2.1 When you make a booking you must complete the Booking Form accepting on your own behalf 4.5 You can cancel your booking without paying cancellation charges if the performance of your and on behalf of all your party (for whom you have authority to accept) the terms of these Booking package, or the carriage of passengers to your destination, is significantly affected by unavoidable Conditions and pay a deposit of the amount per person specified in the relevant brochure, or in the and extraordinary circumstances. In such circumstances, we will arrange for your booking to be case of an independent holiday, the amount specified in writing by our staff at the time of booking, terminated and for you to receive a full refund. We will observe advice provided by the UK Foreign & plus insurance premium and any additional performance tickets ordered. A contract will exist when we issue our confirmation invoice. Your contract will consist of these Booking Conditions, the completed Commonwealth Office. Booking Form and the contents of the relevant brochure. When you make your booking you must pay 4.6 You can transfer your booking to another person, who satisfies all the conditions that apply to this a deposit (calculated as a percentage of your holiday cost) per person and as notified to you at the booking, by giving us notice in writing at least 7 days before departure. Both you and the new traveller time of booking. Where you have provided us with card payment details in the Booking Form as your are responsible for paying all costs we incur in making the transfer. payment method for the deposit (and any insurance premium and additional performance tickets), we shall take payment from your card at the time we issue our confirmation invoice to you. 5. ALTERATIONS AND CANCELLATION BY US 2.2 The contract is governed by English law and the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts. 5.1 It is possible that we may have to make changes to your holiday (other than the price) as the You may however choose the law and jurisdiction of Scotland or Northern Ireland if you live there and arrangements are planned many months in advance. Occasionally changes may be made, and we wish to do so. reserve the right to do so at any time. Most of these changes are insignificant and we will ensure 2.3 The balance of the price of your holiday must be paid at least 8 weeks before the departure date. that we advise you as early as possible. Flight timings and carriers in the promotional literature If the balance is not paid in time, we reserve the right to cancel your holiday and retain your deposit. are subject to change as a result of airline procedures which are beyond our control. Flight timings If you paid your deposit by card and wish to authorise us to take payment of the balance on or just in the promotional literature are for guidance only. Actual times will be given on your ticket. In after the due date for payment using the same card, you may do so by ticking the relevant box in the accordance with EU Regulations we are required to advise you of the actual carrier operating the Booking Form. flight, connecting flight (if any) and transfer. The potential carriers likely to be used are as set out in 2.4 We make no charge if you pay by cheque, personal credit card, debit card or by electronic transfer. the promotional literature. Any changes to the actual airline after you have received your tickets will However, should you choose to make payment by commercial credit card, or you are a card holder be notified to you as soon as possible and in all cases at check-in or at the boarding gate. outside the EEA, we will make a charge of 2% of the total price of the holiday. Examples of insignificant changes include alteration of your outward/return flights by less than 12 hours, changes to aircraft type, change of accommodation to another of the same standard or higher 3. WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE standard, changes of carriers. 3.1 We reserve the right to alter the prices of any of the holidays shown in the promotional literature, in accordance with these Booking Conditions. The current price of the holiday will be notified to you 5.2 If a major change becomes necessary and we are constrained by circumstances beyond our before your contract is confirmed. control to significantly alter any of the main characteristics of the travel services that make up your package you will have the rights set out below. 3.2 All Travel for the Arts tours are inclusive of the following: We will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if there is time before departure. You will Round trip Economy Class air travel on scheduled or charter airline(s) specified (aircraft type not known when going to press) including local airport taxes and security charges; or Eurostar Passenger Service. have the choice of either, accepting the change of arrangements, accepting an offer of available alternative travel arrangements of comparable standard from us (where we offer one, we will Hotel accommodation at the hotels shown in the relevant promotional literature (or similar grade) in refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value) or cancelling your holiday and twin bedded rooms with private bathroom or shower and w.c. Double rooms and single rooms are receiving a full refund of all monies paid. We will tell you the procedure for making your choice. available on request. NB: We are well aware of the considerable distress which can sometimes be Please read any notification of changes carefully and respond promptly as if you do not respond experienced by those travelling alone when “single rooms” do not appear to come up to the standards to us within the timescale given your booking may be cancelled. expected. At all times we strive to overcome this on our clients’ behalf (but can offer no guarantees) and sometimes it pays to take double or twin for sole occupancy. If you choose to accept a refund: Round trip private transfers from airports or local railway stations to hotels. i) we will provide a full refund of your travel insurance premiums if you paid them to us and can show Hotel service charges and local taxes. that you are unable to transfer or reuse your policy; Sightseeing tour programme as detailed in each itinerary including admission charges and guide ii) we will pay compensation as detailed below except where the significant change is due to services. unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances (as defined below). The services of a Travel for the Arts Tour Manager or local representative. 5.3 We reserve the right to cancel your booking. For example, if the minimum number of people required for a particular travel arrangement is not reached, we reserve the right to cancel the tour up NB: If you have any special requests relating to diet, accommodation and so forth, these must be made known at the time of booking. We will do our best to comply with them but cannot guarantee to to 70 days in advance. In this case we offer the choice of an alternative tour of comparable standard, do so (also see clause 13 below). if available (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value), or a full refund of all monies paid. We will not cancel less than 49 days before the scheduled departure date except for 3.3 We can change your holiday price after you’ve booked, only in certain circumstances. Changes reasons of unavoidable or extraordinary circumstances or your failure to pay the final balance. in the price of your travel arrangements can be made due to changes in: transportation costs i.e. the price of the carriage of passengers resulting from changes to the cost of fuel or other power If your holiday is cancelled you can either have a refund of all monies paid or accept an alternative sources; the level of taxes or fees imposed by third parties including tourist taxes, landing taxes or holiday of comparable standard from us if we offer one (we will refund any price difference if the embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports; or exchange rates, which means that alternative is of lower value). In the event a refund is paid to you, we will: the price of your travel arrangements may change after you have booked. However, there will be i) provide a full refund of your travel insurance premiums if you paid them to us and can show that you no change within 20 days of your departure. We will absorb, and you will not be charged for, any are unable to transfer or reuse the policy. increase equivalent to 2% of the price of your travel arrangements, excluding insurance premiums and any amendment charges. You will be charged for the amount over and above that. If this ii) pay compensation as detailed below except where the cancellation is due to unavoidable and means that you have to pay an increase of more than 8% of the price of your travel arrangements, extraordinary circumstances

38 Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com TRAVELFOR THE ARTS booking form

HOW TO BOOK Please contact us by telephone (020 8799 8350) - you will speak to one LATE BOOKINGS If you book within 8 weeks of departure, you will need to provide a credit/ of our sales team usually after three rings! If space is available on the tour of your debit card for the full amount of the holiday, or send us a cheque within 24-hours. choice you will be given a 7-day option. We will then require a completed booking form together with your deposit or full payment (see Late Bookings). You must agree to the TOUR CODE & BOOKING REFERENCE Please include these on the booking form and quote Booking Conditions. your Booking Reference in all subsequent communications.

BOOK EARLY Many of our holidays are taken up very quickly after the brochure launch, OPENING HOURS are Monday-Friday, 9.30-5.30. The office is closed on UK public holidays. when tours appear on our website. Sometimes they are fully booked after appearing as advanced information in our Newsletter.

NAME OF TOUR / À LA CARTE DESTINATION DATES TOUR CODE (e.g. BUD1 or CPH3)

BOOKING REFERENCE

PERSONAL DETAILS (Please show names as they appear on your passport) ROOM TYPE CLUB CLASS Twin, Double or Single Yes or No No. TITLE FIRST NAME FAMILY NAME

1 2

3

4

PASSPORT DETAILS (essential for airline ticketing & in case of emergency)

No. D.O.B PASSPORT No. NATIONALITY DATE DATE NAMES AS YOU WISH TO APPEAR ON THE PARTICIPANT LIST OF ISSUE OF EXPIRY (if different from above)

1 1

2 2

3 3

4 4

NB If travelling to the USA you will require a machine-readable passport

ADDRESS (for correspondence) TELEPHONE: (Day)

TELEPHONE: (Eve)

MOBILE:

EMAIL:

FAX:

TELEPHONE: 24-hours pre-departure

SPECIAL NEEDS/FITNESS AND MOBILITY In order to assist us in ensuring you and fellow travellers maximum comfort please indicate below any special requirements or conditions EMERGENCY / NEXT OF KIN: about which we should be aware. (Must be completed at time of booking)

PERSONAL DETAILS (Please show names as they appear on your passport) NAME:

No. AGE WHEELCHAIR ASSISTANCE SPECIAL DIET OTHER ADDRESS:

1

2

3 TEL NO:

4 RELATIONSHIP:

SPECIAL OCCASION If this holiday coincides with a special occasion, please indicate below (e.g. birthday or wedding anniversary)

Travel For The Arts 12-15 Hanger Green London W5 3EL Telephone: 020 8799 8350 Fax: 020 8998 7965 e-mail: [email protected] www.TravelfortheArts.com Travel for the Arts is a division of Specialised Travel Ltd

Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com 39 booking form

AIRPORT PARKING / AIRPORT HOTEL / REGIONAL FLIGHTS Please send me details of: (please tick)

AIRPORT PARKING AIRPORT HOTEL Comments:

AIRPORT LOUNGE DOMESTIC FLIGHT

OPTIONAL OR SUPPLEMENTARY PERFORMANCE TICKETS Please book the following supplementary services

DATE PERFORMANCE REQUIRED OR DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES No. REQUIRED

FINANCIAL METHOD OF PAYMENT No. of Places PER PERSON TOTAL I wish to pay by Debit Card I wish to pay by Credit Card

Deposit (See tour price panel) £ ...... £ ...... I wish to pay by Cheque (Please tick box)

OR Full payment (if booking within 8 weeks of departure) £ ...... £ ......

Supplementary Performance £ ...... £ ...... NB: Payment by commercial card will incur a 2% charge. No charge is made for personal cards, unless the card holder is outside the EEA. Tickets / Services* £ ...... £ ......

CARD NO: TOTAL £ ...... £ ...... * Payable at time of booking NAME ON CARD......

DATE OF ISSUE DATE OF EXPIRY REDEMPTION OF VOUCHERS If you are redeeming a voucher please attach it to your booking form. Vouchers cannot be redeemed retrospectively. SECURITY CODE

MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS ISSUE NO If you are a Friend of Covent Garden, British Friend of the Salzburg Festival or Member of the The Wagner Society of England or New York, please complete details below: Please tick this box if you would like the balance of payment charged to your card

NAME OF ORGANISATION MEMBERSHIP NO. Billing address if different from address overleaf

TRAVEL INSURANCE It is a condition of booking that you have comprehensive travel insurance for all the activities you will be undertaking whilst on holiday – please provide the details below. We can introduce you to an insurance company if you do not have any cover. Full details are shown in our Booking Terms and Conditions.

INSURANCE CO. NAME POLICY NUMBER EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TEL No.

DECLARATION

I am over 18 years of age and I have read and understood the booking conditions, Data Protection Policy, general information and travel insurance advice and accept them on behalf of myself and the members of my party.

SIGNATURE: ...... DATE: ......

40 Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com terms and conditions

5.4 If it is necessary to cancel your holiday (except for reasons of unavoidable and extraordinary details and any special needs/dietary requirements. Please see our Privacy Policy for details of how we circumstances) or make a significant change after the date when payment of the balance becomes collect and process your personal data, and the personal data of those in your party. due, we will in addition pay you compensation as follows: http://www.travelforthearts.com/privacy/ Period before departure within which Compensation notification of change or cancellation is given per person 9. PASSPORTS, VISAS AND HEALTH More than 49 days...... Nil 9.1 You and your party’s specific passport, visa and other immigration requirements are your 49 – 42 days...... £10.00 responsibility and we do not accept responsibility for the validity of your passports or visas or for 41 – 25 days...... £20.00 the refusal of visas by the Issuing Authorities. You should therefore confirm these with the relevant 24 – 16 days...... £30.00 authorities, Embassies and/or Consulates. We shall not be liable for any loss, expense, cost, damage, 15 – 1 days...... £40.00 injury or loss of enjoyment suffered as a result of such invalidity or loss, including any responsibility if you cannot travel because you have not complied with such requirements. Please note compensation is not payable in the case of minor changes. The compensation offered 9.2 British subjects require a passport. We will provide information about visas and health does not exclude you from claiming more if you are entitled to do so. requirements and can also apply for visas on your behalf for a small fee and handling charge. If you ‘Unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances’ means a situation beyond our control, the do not hold a valid EU passport, please inform us at point of booking. Although we can apply for any consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been visa on a client’s behalf, we cannot be held responsible for declined visas and normal cancellation taken, including (for example) but not limited to, war, riot, industrial dispute, terrorist activity and charges will be levied should this occur. its consequences, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions, epidemics and Higher charges may also be applied to non-British citizens and late applications which will be charged pandemics, unavoidable technical problems with transport. accordingly. For further advice visit the FCO website, www.fco.gov.uk, visit the ABTA website www.abta. com/gotravel or telephone ABTA on 020 3117 0599. 6. NON-APPEARANCE AND ALTERATIONS TO REPERTOIRE/ITINERARY 6.1 Opera and music lovers will appreciate that performances and artists can be changed without 10. PHYSICAL HANDICAPS AND MOBILITY notice. Fortunately, this is a rare occurrence but nevertheless disappointing. Every effort is made to Should you suffer from any serious physical handicaps or experience difficulty in walking long obtain and pass on to you up to date information regarding performances and artists. This information distances and tire easily, please do bring this to our attention at the time of booking in order that we is based upon details supplied to us by other parties and we cannot guarantee its accuracy or that can provide the necessary assistance at airports and hotels. Please note that some of the activities there will not be further changes to the programme. The non-appearance of an artist, cancellation on our tours may not be suitable if you have any disability or reduced mobility. In the interests of of event or other changes, are entirely outside our control or even the control of those organising the safety and comfort for the whole group, you should be fit enough to participate or alternatively event. We will always do our utmost to find a suitable alternative in such a case and wherever refunds have an able bodied carer with you to assist. from an event organiser are received we will pass this on to you. 6.2 Specific outside events – in the event of adverse weather conditions a full refund of the face value 11. COMPLAINTS AND DISPUTES of the performance ticket will be made only if the performance fails to start. If abandonment occurs 11.1 If you have a compliant about any of the services included in your holiday, you must inform after the start, conditions of the ticket purchased prevent any refund. the relevant supplier and our representative (whose details will be provided to you prior to the 6.3 Please note that the order of events on itineraries is subject to alteration due to local circumstances, commencement of your trip) without undue delay, who will endeavour to put things right quickly. unscheduled closures etc. However, every effort will be made to include all elements of the programme If your complaint cannot be resolved locally, your representative will ask you to make a report, the during the tour dates or a suitable alternative which will be notified to you. original of which is for you and a copy will be forwarded to our Head Office, as detailed on our invoice to you. Please follow this up within 28 days of your return home by writing to us giving your original 7. OUR LIABILITIES TO YOU tour reference number and all other relevant information. Please keep your letter concise and provide all relevant information. If you fail to follow the requirement to report your complaint during your 7.1 You must inform us without undue delay of any failure to perform or improper performance of the holiday, we will have been deprived of the opportunity to investigate and rectify it and this may affect travel services included in the package holiday sold to you by us. If any of the travel services included your rights under this booking. in your package are not performed in accordance with the contract, or any improperly performed, by us or the travel service suppliers, and this has affected the enjoyment of your travel arrangements, 11.2 It is unlikely that you will have a complaint that cannot be settled amicably between us. you may be entitled to an appropriate price reduction or compensation, or both. However, we will However, disputes arising out of or in connection with this contract which cannot be amicably not be liable where any failure to perform or improper performance of the travel services is due settled, may (if you so wish) be settled by way of an alternative dispute resolution procedure. We are to you or another member of your party; or a third party unconnected with the provision of the a member of ABTA. We are also obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code travel arrangements and whether the failure is unforeseeable or unavoidable; or unavoidable and of Conduct. We can also offer you ABTA’s Scheme for the resolution of disputes which is approved by extraordinary circumstances (as defined above) beyond our control, the consequences of which could the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. If we can’t resolve your complaint, go to www.abta.com not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. to use ABTA’s simple procedure. Further information on the Code and ABTA’s assistance in resolving disputes can be found on www.abta.com. You can also access the European Commission Online If an event within the itinerary is cancelled due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances 7.2 Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform at http://ec.europa/consumers/odr/. This ODR platform is a means within one month prior to the event, we reserve the right to refund the cost of the admission ticket to of notifying us of your compliant; it will not determine how your complaint should be resolved. the event only. 7.3 We accept responsibility for the negligent acts and/or omissions of our employees, agents or 12. ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE suppliers. Save for liabilities under clause 7.4 below, our liability to you in all cases (except where they lead to death, injury or illness) shall be limited to a maximum of three times the cost of the original If you’re in difficulty whilst on holiday and ask us to help we will provide appropriate assistance, in travel arrangements. particular by providing information on health services, local authorities and consular assistance; and helping you to find alternative arrangements and any necessary phone calls/emails. You must pay any 7.4 Our liability to you will also be limited in accordance with and/or in an identical manner to: costs we incur, if the difficulty is your fault. i) the contractual terms of the companies that provide the travel services that make up your package. These are incorporated into this booking; and 13. SPECIAL REQUESTS ii) any relevant international conventions (for example, the Montreal Convention for travel by air, the Any special requests made on your Booking Form are noted and we do our very best to comply with Athens Convention for travel by sea, the Berne Convention for travel by rail and the Paris Convention these wherever possible. However, although we do make every effort to meet your requirements, we for accommodation), which limit the amount of compensation that you can claim for death, injury, cannot unfortunately give a guarantee. delay to passengers and loss, damage and delay to luggage. We are to be regarded as having all benefit of any limitation of compensation contained in these or any conventions. 14. TOUR MANAGERS AND LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES You can ask for copies of the travel service contractual terms, or the international conventions, from us. Wherever possible and practical, our tours are escorted throughout by a representative from the UK. 7.5 If you, or any member of your party, suffers death, illness or injury whilst overseas arising out of On occasions when circumstances dictate, we retain the services of a local representative to meet our activity which does not form part of the inclusive holiday arrangements or excursion arrangements clients and to escort them to cities and on excursions accompanied by our local guide. through us (as per clause 17 below), we shall at our discretion, offer advice, guidance and assistance to help in resolving any claim you may have against a third party. We limit the cost of our assistance to 15. TRAVEL INSURANCE you or a member of your party to £5,000.00 in total. Where legal action is contemplated and you want our assistance you must obtain our authority prior to commencement of proceedings. Our consent It is a condition of these Booking Conditions and your contract with us that you have comprehensive will be given subject to you undertaking to assign any costs, benefits received under any relevant travel insurance cover. insurance policy to ourselves. We are able to introduce you to Citybond Suretravel. Citybond Suretravel insurance is underwritten 7.6 If you are prevented from travelling on an aircraft because in the opinion of any person in authority by Union Reiseversicherung AG, UK. Specialised Travel, trading as Travel for the Arts, is an Introducer at the airport you appear, by reason of intoxicating liquor or use of drugs, either to be unfit for travel Appointed Representative of Citybond Suretravel for the sale of travel insurance and we have or likely to cause discomfort or disturbance to other passengers, our responsibility for your journey, negotiated discounts on the Citybond Suretravel schemes for our clients. including any return flight thereupon ceases. You must accept responsibility for your proper conduct Citybond Suretravel can provide a comprehensive range of travel insurance offering high levels of and we therefore have the right to terminate our contract in circumstances of serious misconduct by cover for medical emergency, repatriation, personal baggage, cancellation and much more. you or any member of your party. They are able to provide single trip policies with no upper age limit, annual multi trip policies up to age 7.7 Under EU law, you have rights in some circumstances to refunds and/or compensation from 85, long stay policies for trips up to 12 months and gap year policies for trips up to 18 months. your airline in cases of denied boarding, cancellation or delay to flights. Full details of these rights All their policies offer the option to include existing medical conditions as well as, automatic cover for will be available at EU airports and will also be available from airlines. However, please note that participation in over 100 sports and activities. reimbursement in such cases does not automatically entitle you to a refund of the cost of your holiday from us. Your right to a refund and/or compensation from us is set out in these Booking Referral Code 56275 Conditions. If any payments to you are due from us, then if the airline makes payment of these to you Please use the above code to receive the premium discounts: then such sum will be deducted from this amount. If your airline does not comply with such rules then Online at https://www.suretravel.co.uk/?intcode=56275 you can complain to the Aviation Consumer Advocate Panel on 020 7453 6888 or www.caa.co.uk. or by phone on Freephone 0333 207 0481 for 10% 7.8 If it is impossible to ensure your return as scheduled due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances, we will bear the cost of necessary accommodation, if possible of equivalent category, 16. SEVERABILITY for a maximum of three nights. The limit doesn’t apply to persons with reduced mobility and any If any part of these Booking Conditions is held to be invalid, unreasonable or unenforceable, such person accompanying them, pregnant women and unaccompanied minors, or persons in need of portion(s) shall be deemed as severable from these Booking Conditions and the remainder of these specific medical assistance, provided that you notified us of these needs at least 48 hours before the Booking Conditions shall remain in full force and effect and enforceable. start of your holiday. NB: This clause does not apply to any separate contracts that you may enter into for excursions or 17. EXCURSIONS activities whilst on holiday. Excursions or other tours that you may choose to book or pay for whilst you are on holiday are not part of your package holiday provided by us. For any excursion or other tour that you book which does not 8. DATA PROTECTION POLICY form part of your package holiday with us, your contract will be with the operator of the excursion or In order to process your booking and to ensure your travel arrangements run smoothly and meet tour and not with us. We are not responsible for the provision of the excursion or tour or for anything your requirements, we need to use the information you provide to us, such as name, address, contact that happens during the course of its provision by the operator.

Tel: 020 8799 8350 | Email: [email protected] | www.travelforthearts.com 41 TRAVELFOR THE ARTS

Travel For The Arts 12-15 Hanger Green London W5 3EL UK Telephone: +44 20 8799 8350 Fax: +44 20 8998 7965 E-mail: [email protected] www.travelforthearts.com

Travel for the Arts is a division of Specialised Travel Ltd