Opera in Verona?
 

Hey folks:

I am contemplating a return to Italy next year, mostly to hike in the Dolomites, but possibly to see a little more of northern Italy.

So, I was looking around and stumbled across the opera schedule for Verona for late June-early July. And then I saw the venue they were being performed in. :) My first little pre-trip thrill.

My question, how far in advance should i be looking for tickets? I mean, at this point it is still 9 months off, I am not even sure that I headed to Italy, let alone dates or itinerary. But, if I go back, this is definitely something I want to see.

Glen

I have been seeing adverts for next year's performances in opera programmes here for a few months now. I would book asap, especially if you want good / specific seats.

As soon as you decide to go, book tickets. You want to be sure to be able to choose the opera and the date. We have had trouble getting opera tickets in Italy even 6 months in advance.

As soon as you decide to go, book tickets. You want to be sure to be able to choose the opera and the date. We have had trouble getting opera tickets in Italy even 6 months in advance.

As everyone said, book tickets as soon as you know you are going. Opera in the ampitheater is a major, if not the major event in Verona. Expect prices to rise for everything accordingly. Expect hotels to book up way in advance. Many might be booked up already. We much enjoyed the Hotel Torcolo and would consider it a good choice. Not a fancy place but very nice with a wonderful staff and a 2 minute walk from the opera venue.

By the way. A few years ago we booked our hotel in Verona and had THEM book our opera tickets (no charge to do so). This proved to be a great thing, because the opera was cancelled about 10:30 PM when it continued to pour rain. We were leaving the next morning and had no way to get a refund on the tickets, except the hotel did so and credited us for them -- there were able to do this only because they had bought the tickets for us.

Thanks folks.

Online sales don't seem to be available yet, but once they are I may pounce. It seems strange to make a booking for an event before I even have figured out when exactly I am going, but I will find a way to make it work.

Italy - late June - early July is officially now in the (very) early planning stages!

The opera in Verona is not to be missed. Hotels can be more difficult to reserve than the opera, consider even B&Bs. The city itself is a delight to explore.

Reserve your hotel now. The worst that can happen is that you don't score tickets - but, you will enjoy Verona.

We went last year (2010) on opening night and saw Aida. There was a rain delay but once it started it was incredible. The audience activity is really fun. We sat in the open seating cheap seats, on the stone odpf the arena, and were happy with our choice. Many hotels double their price on opera nights, but our B&B, just steps from the areena, did not.

What do you mean by "the audience activity", enzian ? Not sure I like the sound of that.

I'm not enzian, but when we were at Verona for Aida, waiting for the rain to stop (which it never did, so they canceled the show), the audiences members amused themselves by hurling water soaked seat cushions at the stage.

We also saw Aida in Verona and it was a fabulous experience. Enjoy!

We stayed at the Hotel Gabbia d'Oro which arranged our tickets to Aida and Turandot. It was an expensive three nights but an incredible experience, the operas and the hotel. I am so glad we did it.

Cathinjoetown, I realize that above I mentioned staying at a hotel, but failed to mention it was also Gabbia d'Oro, which was the place that not only arranged our tickets, but when the show was cancelled, they also got our refund and credited us in full -- while we were well on our way to Switzerland the next morning and couldn't do it ourselves. Great little hotel and worth every penny!

Yes, Neo, it's a lovely little hotel, great location too.

Main audience activity I observed was absolutely no hesitation in booing and whistling; audience wasn't pleased with the Turandot conductor. I am no expert so didn't think he was that bad!

Thanks, Patrick & Cathie.