Who knows if the approximately thirty thousand spectators who, in the first century after Christ, attended gladiator shows and fights in the Verona Arena would have imagined, two thousand years later, a similar function for one of the most representative monuments of Rome's culture. Inevitable in every city of the Empire. In particular in Verona where many Roman remains testify to the importance of this city, "gathered" in a bend of the Adige river and formerly already rich and populous because it was born, in the first century BC, in a strategic position. In the heart of what at the time were the most important communication routes in northern Italy. L'Arena di Verona is in all respects a small one Colosseum. Older than the great Roman monument which dates back to 80 AD. The Verona Arena, also according to relatively recent discoveries, would have been built between 30 and 40.
A temple of spectacle, from the times of gladiators to the present day
The Verona Arena is one of the best preserved amphitheaters and larger than the Roman world. In addition to Rome and Verona, it is worth mentioning the arenas of Nimes and Arles in Provence, that of Pola in Istria, those of Pompeii and Capua. The extraordinary nature of this monument also lies in the fact that in its long history it has been used for many centuries as a venue for shows. Then as today. If in the fifth century after Christ the fights between gladiators, much appreciated in ancient Rome and the result of a culture that was now changing, were forbidden, in the Renaissance period the Arena was restored and immediately reused for theatrical performances. Comedies of art, particular bullfights between a bull and mastiff dogs. And then the show and the opera which still today is inextricably linked to the Arena.
Giuseppe Verdi's Aida, a symbolic work of the Verona Arena
Chronicle of a summer evening in this extraordinary amphitheater which in spite of the time and the ups and downs that have seen it as protagonist (even an earthquake in the XNUMXth century, without forgetting that in the Scaliger era it was a prison, a place of duels and the site of great public festivals) , still preserves its suggestive beauty intact. Chronicle of a'Aida which is perhaps the main work for this theater, whose scenographies lend themselves well to the monumentality of the place.
It was represented over 700 times until the outbreak of the pandemic. The first was staged in 1913. And since then the arias of Giuseppe Verdi and those of many other important musicians run along these stone steps that have so much history to tell. That of the past but also that of the present. Here they sang such names Maria Callas, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo. The Arena opera festival which takes place in the summer season is one of the most famous and important in the world. THEAida this year, thanks to the difficulties linked to the pandemic, was born from a new exhibition in collaboration with the Egyptian Museum of Turin. And in the star-studded Veronese night, the ultra-modern digital sets recreate a monumental Egypt of great realism and three-dimensionality. By combining traditional sets with digital ones, the scenes reproduce on a large scale some ancient treasures kept in the Egyptian Museum.
As if to say that history and tradition merge with the innovation desired by the Arena di Verona Foundation for this fascinating exhibition. In which perform artists of excellence and two great conductors such as Diego Matheuz and Daniel Oren. Not just Aida. Also on the bill this year Cavalleria Rusticana, La Traviata, Nabucco, Turandot.
Between event evenings and exceptional gala, in one of the most evocative open-air theaters in the world
But also many special events in this restart season after the closure of last year that had not allowed the 2020 Festival to be implemented. Gala Domingo Opera Night on July 30th. The two exceptional evenings dedicated to Gala Roberto Bolle and Friends (2-3 August), the evening event that will see the debut of the German tenor at the Verona Arena Jonas Kaufmann (August 17). Gala Beethoven's IX Symphony on 22 August. As always, great music in the magical atmosphere of the most evocative open-air theater in the world.
(credit photo in evidence: Andreas Tille, Andreas Tille)
