Travel to in June with General Director Christopher Hahn for an unforgettable opera experience! June 16‐28, 2014

Explore Italy North and South from June 16 through June 28, 2014. Travels will take us from Rome, Italy to the sun‐drenched island of and then back to the mainland, ending in Venice. You will be fascinated with the layers of history, renowned cuisine and opera. (After all, Italy is the birthplace of Opera.) And, the best feature of all is that Christopher Hahn will be traveling with us, giving formal introductory opera talks, as well as by enlightening us with information about the operas, arias, and composers throughout the trip.

We start in the “Eternal City” of Rome with art, a musical concert, and museum visits, including a Papal Audience. Then, we fly to Sicily and view gorgeous mosaics by day and listen to Bellini’s Norma by night. Here we will explore the diversity, rich culture and history of Sicily with our visits to Monreale, Segesta and San Vito lo Capo. We fly back to the mainland for our performance of Bizet’s Carmen at the Arena di Verona. Final stop is in Venice where we’ll go to the Teatro la Fenice for Stravinski’s The Rake’s Progress. And, in keeping with local custom, we will enjoy pre‐performance aperitivi. (We won’t spoil your surprise by telling you what else is planned.)

This exclusive opera trip is open to “first‐come, first‐served” so don’t wait. Space is limited to 15‐16 supporters of Pittsburgh Opera. For the two‐week trip, the cost is $3,995, double‐ occupancy for the land portion. Group airfare has been reserved by Ambassador Travel. Reservations must be received by February 7, 2014.

Plan to join us for Prosecco and conversation about the trip with Christopher and Jean Anne on Sunday, January 19 from 4:00‐6:00 pm.

QUESTIONS or to RSVP for the event on January 19: Contact Jean Anne Hattler at 412‐736‐9951 or Kathleen Iducovich at 412‐281‐0912, ext. 226

presents

Italy North and South June 16‐28, 2014

Rome Palermo San Vito lo Capo Venice Verona Norma Carmen The Rakee’s Progress

Join Pittsburgh Opera General Director Christopher Hahn in Italy North and South

June 16: USA – Rome • Departure from the States for Rome, Italy

June 17: Rome • Arrivals throughout the morning in Rome and check‐in to hotel in early afternoon. • Orientation walking tour and “Aperitivo” in the Vatican Area.. • Overnight: ROME (4* Hotel – Hotel Twenty One)

June 18: Rome • Morning Papal Audience with Pope Francis I. Enjoy a beautififul morning in St. Peter’s Square for the Pope’s weekly General Audience. Tickets will be provided in order for you to sit today and our group will be announced and presented to the Holy Father by the English speaking Carrdinal at the Audience. • Afternoon visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel with art historian, Elizabeth Lev. Prof. Elizabeth Lev, Duquesne University Italian Campus’ art historian, has livedd and given tours in Rome since 1998. An author, critic, television/radio personality, and mother – Prof. Lev has the ability to bring art to life to the average visitor. She knows no place better than the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel is her second home. • Overnight: ROME (4* Hotel – Hotel Twenty One)

June 19: Rome • Dinner at Spirito DiVino in Trastevere with Singers from Conservatorio S. Cecilia in Rome to entertaiin! • Overnight: ROME (4* ‐ Hotel Twenty One)

June 20: Rome ‐ Palermo • Flight from Rome Fiumicino to Palermo • Evening Welcome Dinner with typical Sicilian delights! • Overnight: PALERMO (4* Hotel Cristal Palace) June 21: Palermo • Morning tour of Palermo’s historical markets and rich monuments. The markets in Palermo originate from the 9th century when it was under Saracen rule. Today the flavor and vibe of the markets have a real touch of its medieval Arab past, making you sometimes feel you are in the great markets of Cairo, Tunis, or Jerusalem. Sights, sounds, people, and color will mesmerize you as you pass the fresh produce and meats for sale in these markets that are still a very important part of Palermo’s every‐day‐life. • Performance: “Norma”‐Bellini, Teatro Massimo at 6:30 p.m. • Overnight: PALERMO (4* Hotel Cristal Palace)

June 22: Palermo – Monreale – Segesta – San Vito lo Capo • Morning visit to Monreale. Set high above Palermo, Monreale is famed for its Cathedral, one of the greatest examples of Norman architecture. Begun in 1174, this Cathedral was dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. This national monument shows a clear collaboration between Muslims and Christians living in Palermo at the time of its construction, with its precious marbles, stones, and mosaic work not only representing figures from the Bible, but also exquisite geometrical patterns. • Included lunch at Agriturismo will have lunch today in a traditional Agriturismo to sample some of Sicily’s traditional plates of rustic cuisine. • Afternoon tour of Segesta’s theater and temple. This afternoon we’ll be swept back in history with a glance at one of the best preserved ancient temples and theaters in the world. Mentioned in Virgil’s “Aeneid”, this famed Doric temple site dates back to the 5th century BC (B.C.A.). High above the Mediterranean Sea, you will be taken in by panoramic views of the sea and wild fennel fields as we explore one of the oldest theaters in the world! • Transfer to San Vito lo Capo • Overnight: SAN VITO LO CAPO (4* Hotel Panoramic)

June 23: San Vito lo Capo • A free day to explore the small town of San Vito lo Capo and enjoy its white sand beach. • Included traditional couscous dinner tonight at local restaurant. • Overnight: SAN VITO LO CAPO (4* Hotel Panoramic)

June 24: San Vito lo Capo – ‐ • Visit to Marsala. A city that has been both Phoenician and Arab, this small coastal town is full of color. We’ll have a Marsala wine tasting in one of the local cellars. Included seafood lunch today. • Afternoon visit to the hilltop city of Erice. Free time to explore this hilltop town with sweeping views over the city of and the Mediterranean Sea. Try one of Erice’s famed pastries, the “paste genovesi”, a warm pastry pocket filled with fresh ricotta and dark chocolate! • Overnight: SAN VITO LO CAPO (4* Hotel Panoramic)

June 25: Palermo – Venice ‐ Verona • Flight from Palermo to Venice Marco Polo Airport • Transfer from Venice’s Airport to Verona • Overnight: VERONA (4* Hotel Firenze)

June 26: Verona • Pre‐performance “Aperitivo” before opera • Performance: “Carmen”‐Bizet, Arena di Verona at 8:00 p.m. • Overnight: VERONA (4* Hotel Firenze)

June 27: Venice • Morning transfer from Verona to Venice. • Pre‐performance “Aperitivo” before opera • Performance: “The Rake’s Progress”‐Stravinski, Teatro La Fenice at 7:00 p.m. • Overnight: VENICE (4* Hotel in S. Marco area)

June 28: Venice – USA • Morning transfer from hotel to Venice’s Marco Polo Airport. • Flights back to the U.S.

A short biography of Michael Wright, Director of European Programs, Duquesne University (Rome, Italy): Michael Wright has lived and worked in Europe since 1995, first starting his studies in Spain and then moving on to build his career in Italy. He has been the Director of the Duquesne University Italian Campus since 2001 and was recently promoted to be the Director of European Programs for Duquesne University, taking on Duquesne’s second European campus in Dublin, Ireland. Michael is a fluent speaker and writer of English, Spanish, Catalan, and Italian and studied opera at Duquesne University during his undergraduate career. Michael is also a co‐founder and director of the “Lirica Roma” opera program for voice students at Duquesne University, which takes place in Rome every summer. Michael resides in Rome.

What’s included in price: 4 star hotels throughout the trip in double occupancy (single with single supplement) and breakfast daily. All transfers between airports and hotels and private coach transport between cities. Meals included are: Breakfast daily, “Welcome Aperitivo” in Rome, Dinner with Singers in Rome, “Welcome Dinner” in Palermo, “Agriturismo Lunch” in Segesta, “traditional couscous dinner” in S. Vito lo Capo, “Seafood Lunch” in Marsala, and two “Pre Performance Aperitivi” in Verona and Venice. Private English speaking guides and entrances to sites are included in provided tours. Opera tickets to performances mentioned throughout the itinerary. 2 Economy one‐way tickets: Rome to Palermo, Palermo to Venice. The tour will be lead by Michael Wright and Jean Anne Hattler who will be able to provide information throughout the trip and provide language assistance.

What’s NOT included: Gratuities throughout the trip. Meals not listed as “included”. Any personal expenses occurred during the trip.