NORTHERN : V ERONA , L AKE COMO & L A SCALA Wednesday, June 24th through Friday, July 3rd

Villa Serbelloni, Bellagio, Lake Como “The Festival dell’Arena di is an essential Verdi’s . Each of these works will be mounted part of the operatic scene… As for the atmosphere: A in the Arena’s vast outdoor stage which affords the kaleidoscope of feelings, impressions and colours that opportunity of truly spectacular productions. Our makes the city’s amphitheatre the focal point of a mass choice of the centrally located Hotel Accademia is phenomenon unmatched anywhere else in terms of within comfortable walking distance of the Arena. scale, repertoire and results.” Continuing to Lake Como, this year’s schedule will Jonas Kaufmann: “The voice – burnished, honeyed, include two nights at Bellagio’s Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni . Bellagio is one of Italy’s most allows him a freedom of expression and colour that is Jonas Kaufmann beautiful small towns, where the magnificent views rare in any generation. And yes, he has great high Verona Gala notes.” Sir Antonio Pappano and the intoxicating charm of the village have evoked unanimous enthusiasm from our travelers over the past “Verona stands on the banks of the Adige in a setting of cypress two decades. For anyone who has not discovered the beauty of covered hills.… It is, after Venice, the finest art center in Venetia.” Lake Como. Bellagio is always the favorite destination of this Tour. Michelin We will conclude our Tour with two nights in the Lombardian “Lake Como remains a place of consummate partnership between capital of , with accommodations at the deluxe rated Hotel the beauties of nature and those of humanity” Fodor de la Ville only a short walk from famed . An operatic highlight will be La Scala’s new production of Verdi’s Un Ballo “La Scala is closer to a cathedral than an auditorium. It looms as a in Maschera conducted by Zubin Mehta . symbol – both for the performer who dreams of singing here and for the opera buff who knows every note.…” Fodor Wednesday, June 24th, departure from New York’s Kennedy Aiport at 4:05 pm on Lufthansa flight #401, arriving in Frankfurt ur annual summer Tour to Northern Italy will begin with at 5:45 pm on the morning of the 25th. This connects with four nights in Verona , which has long been among our Lufthansa #9504, departing Frankfurt at 8:15 am and arriving in most important summer destinations due to the Verona at 9:25 am. Or independent travel to Verona. Renaissance beauty of the architecture and the Ooverwhelming experience of the outdoor opera performances in the spectacular outdoor Roman Arena . Our four performances will include the recently announced Jonas VERONA: J UNE 25 TH – 28 TH Kaufmann Gala and a trio of the season’s grandest and most ur accommodations for four nights ( with buffet breakfast revered Italian : Puccini’s Turandot , the classic ‘verismo’ included ) are at Verona’s four-star Hotel Accademia , double-bill of Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana and Owhich enjoys a central location close to the charming Piazza Leoncavallo’s I Pagliacci , and the Festival’s grand staging of delle Erbe. The Accademia overlooks Via Mazzini’s prime

23 shopping street and is adjacent pm. Bedtime is usually between to Juliet’s balcony. We are 1:00 and 2:00 a.m.) fortunate to have confirmed reservations within easy At 9:00 pm on Friday, our walking distance of the Arena performance in the Arena will and a wide choice of cafés and be everyone’s favorite double-bill restaurants. IMPORTANT: of ’s Cavalleria There will be a performance on Rusticana and Ruggero Leon - our first evening. If you wish to cavallo’s I Pagliacci . ‘Cavalleria’ arrive a day early to recover is considered the work that from jet lag, we will be happy to began the school of ‘verismo’ reserve your room for the realistic operas, with its smold - additional night of June 24th. ering jealousy that erupts in a You should let us know NOW if duel to the death. Premiered in you do want the early night. Rome in 1890, “Mascagni’s masterpiece hastened the end of Verona rose to prominence an epoch by exhausting its during the Renaissance and is a Aida in the Verona Arena possibilities.” ( New Grove Dict - walker’s paradise. Of particular ionary of Opera ). Leoncavallo’s ‘I appeal during our free time are the Piazza delle Erbe (the Pagliacci’ followed in Milan in 1892, pushing the technique of central square with its colorful herb market); the 12th century verismo to its limit as the clown Canio destroys the only person Romanesque Duomo (Cathedral); the 14th century House of he truly loves. Audiences never fail to respond to the thrilling the Capulets (Verona was the historical home of Romeo and theatricality of both works, which unfold in a seamless Juliet); and the Old Castle and Bridge across the picturesque succession of exciting arias, duets and ensembles. Adige River (the Castello Museum contains an intriguing collection of Italian painting and sculpture in beautifully At 9:00 on Saturday evening, June 27th, our third performance in designed modern galleries overlooking the Adige). the Arena will be ’s final work for the stage, Turandot . Premiered in 1926, this culminating work of the Thursday evening, June 25th, a pre-opera dinner of Veronese composer’s career is set in Peking ‘in legendary times’. Puccini’s dishes will be served at Il Torcolo , one of the atmospheric most original score is highlighted by Princess Turandot’s icy aria trattorias which line the streets in the neighborhood of the of defiance ‘In questa reggia’, the slave-girl Liu’s two poignant Arena. Il Torcolo’s homemade lasagna has proven to be a arias of devotion to Prince Calaf (‘Signore, ascolta’ and ‘Tu che di favorite dish for our former travelers. This will be an opportunity gel sei cinta’), and Calaf’s familiar romanza ‘Nessun dorma’. to meet other members of the Tour. Sunday evening, June 28th, our Verona experience will Thursday evening, we will walk to the Verona Arena , a vast culminate with the 9:30 pm Jonas Kaufmann Gala in the Amphitheater which ranks as the third largest in the world. To Roman Arena. Today’s leading romantic tenor will be the soloist share an opera with 20,000 enthusiastic Italians is an for a program of Italian songs and operatic arias showcasing his unforgettable experience! The performances begin after dark vocal talents and personal charisma. We are fortunate that our and conclude in the early morning in a truly festive spirit. The dates coincide with this concert which promises to be sold out productions emphasize expansive staging on the tiers of steps months in advance. and platforms of the Arena, usually accompanied by the biggest names in opera to fill the huge demands of the environment. The arena is also renowned for its perfect acoustics, which enable pianissimo phrases to reach all sections of the orchestra LAKE COMO: J UNE 29 TH & 30 TH (where we will be seated in the ‘poltronissime’ premium onday morning, June 29th, a several-hour bus ride across locations ) and surrounding ‘bleachers’. Our performance at the picturesque landscape of Northern Italy will bring us to 9:00 pm will be ’s renowned staging of Mthe village of Bellagio. ’s Aida , premiered in Cairo in 1871. Opera enthusiasts travel from all over the world to Accommodations for two nights with a encounter ‘Aida’ in Verona, the Arena’s generous buffet breakfast included at the signature production. More than any other Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni . This work, the scope of Verdi’s most popular opera sumptuous hotel is surrounded by luxurious and the backdrop of Ancient Egypt during gardens and dramatic mountains bordering the Pharaohs’ reign have consistently Lake Como , the most beautiful of the inspired Verona’s directors and designers to romantic Italian lakes. The scenery is create an unforgettable experience of ‘grand magnificent around the village of Bellagio, opera’. All Verona casts will be announced at a the “Pearl of the Lake”, which enjoys a later date. unique promontory site on the northern shore. The bedrooms are richly furnished in Friday morning, June 26th, an introductory Italianate style, and the dining room is walking tour will familiarize you with the renowned for its imaginative cuisine. There major Renaissance piazzas and monuments of is a large outdoor swimming pool adjacent to Verona. The afternoon is left free to shop the lake shore. along the Corso, visit museums, and stroll through the many charming side streets Monday evening, June 29th, we will enjoy a which characterize Verona. (You will also be leisurely dinner at the Villa Serbelloni. The grateful for our free days on Friday and view from the terrace overlooking Lake Saturday, because of the very late opera Como and the mountains has been performances which begin after dusk at 9:00 immortalized by such writers as E. M. Piazza delle Erbe, Verona Forster, Henry James and Edith Wharton. 24 The daytimes in Bellagio are left Thursday, July 2nd, is the only full day free for relaxing by the Lake to explore Milan independently. Among and enjoying the shops and the city’s priceless art museums, the sights around Bellagio. Just intimate Poldi Pezzoli Museum of beyond the village lie the Renaissance masters (a short walk extensive Villa Melzi gardens from our hotel) and the Brera Gallery for which Bellagio is renowned, of Old Masters are both of major offering an inviting afternoon importance. La Scala’s Museum , stroll; and the Palladian Villa adjacent to the opera house, traces the Carlotta is easily accessible by operatic history of Europe’s most ferry or motor taxi across the famous theatre. The flamboyantly lake. There are many shops in decorative Gothic Duomo (Cathedral) the center of Bellagio and a and picturesque Galleria of shops and variety of cafés on the lakeshore cafés are also within easy walking for a relaxing cappuccino or Villa Melzi, Como distance of our hotel. Italy’s most gelato. Tuesday evening, June fashionable designer boutiques and upscale leather stores are 30th, you will be free to dine in one of the town’s many charming conveniently accessible throughout our neighborhood. small ‘trattorias’. At 8:00 pm on Thursday evening, we are fortunate ticket-holders for La Scala ’s eagerly anticipated new production Un Ballo in Maschera , one of the consummate works from Verdi’s ‘middle period’. Premiered in Rome in 1859 with a libretto following Eugène Scribe’s play, ‘Ballo’ is a melodic melodrama offering a seamless progression of arias, choral ensembles, and the extended Act II duet which ranks as Verdi’s longest declaration of sensual love. The outstanding international cast will feature Spanish soprano Saioa Hernandez as Amelia, Italian tenor Fabio Sartori as Riccardo, Italy’s ‘Verdi baritone’ Luca Salsi as Renato, Lithuanian mezzo-soprano Violetta Urmana as the fortune-teller Ulrica, and Swiss coloratura soprano Julie Martin du Theil as the page Oscar. Maestro Zubin Mehta is the conductor, and the staging will be directed by Gabriele Salvatores with scenery designed by Gian Maurizio Fercioni . Sung in Italian with English surtitles. Friday, July 3rd, departure from Milan’s Linate Airport (NOT La Scala Malpensa) at 12:45 pm on Lufthansa flight #273, arriving in Frankfurt at 2:00 pm. This connects with Lufthansa #404, departing Frankfurt at 5:10 pm and arriving at New York’s Saioa Hernandez Kennedy Airport at 7:55 pm. Or independent departure. MILAN: J ULY 1ST & 2 ND ednesday morning, July 1st, a bus ride of about an hour and a half will Wtake us to the Lombardian capital of Northern Italy Milan. Price per person, based on double occupancy $ 6,980 Accommodations for two nights with a Single room supplement $ 1,250* European buffet breakfast included at the Hotel de la Ville , a superior property centrally located on the Piazza Fabio Sartori *We apologize for the high single supplement at our deluxe hotels. Fontana only a short walk from La Scala However, single travelers will be accommodated in comfortable and the exclusive shops of the via ‘double rooms for single occupancy’. NOT included in our price are Montenapoleone. The stunning Gothic the new Italian city taxes, which you should expect to pay when spires of the Duomo are viewed from the departing the hotels. These small taxes are 5 euros in Milan, 2 hotel’s higher floors, and dining facilities euros in Bellagio, and 3 euros in Verona (per person per night). include the Visconteo Bar and a fashionable restaurant appropriately Airfare NOT included. named L’Opera . The premises also offer a fitness club and solarium roof terrace Luca Salsi with a small swimming pool. ( We have Airfare: Prices are subject to change depending on time of chosen the Hotel de la Ville because of its booking. Please contact our agent Linda Botros (back cover) for ideal location near La Scala and the city’s lowest current fares. major sights and museums.) You should expect to walk four or five blocks to participate in this Wednesday evening, a leisurely dinner is Tour, as it is impossible for a bus to reach some of our destinations planned at the Galleria Ristorante in any closer. Vehicles are not allowed in the inner city of Verona or the adjacent arm of Milan’s famous Bellagio. covered Galleria. Violetta Urmana 25