Verona Opera ticket buying questions
 

We are planning a trip to Italy in the Summer of 2008, and cannot book anything without cancellation privileges due to a potential family problem arising.

Having said that, we would like to ultimately purchase 2 seats to the July 17 opera, Aida.

A bit of back-ground - we are not opera afficionadoes (sp?) - my wife has been to one opera in her life, and the closest that I have come to opera is having seen Elton John's musical of Aida 4 times - so now that the paramaters are set, would we be likely to obtain reasonable seats at reasonable prices (we do not want to spend a fortune as I see that the seats are relatively costly on the web-sites) close to the performance date (I understand that the arena seats 22,000 people but do not know if it regularly sells out quickly), would they still likely be available on site, and what price and/or seat type should I be interested in, given that I am looking for the experience, do not want the l east expensive "open seat rush" type of tickets but still do not want to mortgage the farm.

Thanks for any advice.

Anybody?

We got same day tickets in Verona for Aida 11 years ago. Not sure if it's changed but the open seats were available. Are you aware that it is shown in an old roman arena and most of the seats are in the stone bleachers? I have no idea how much the seats on the "floor" would cost, but the bleachers are great. Be advised the opera runs very late--I think it ends after midnight most nights. And pay the extra for the seat cushion--that stone is hard!

Just a curiosity..how do you know that there will be an Aida performance in July next season ?? I know the website and I only can see the season running this summer (2007). Usually they show the season schedule in February or March...

Here is the official website:
www.arena.it.
They do have the English translation

Hello kenderina, the above website does seem to have the 2008 schedule.

Nevertoold, I was always under the impression that the tickets sell out quickly but Monica was able to buy tickets at the last moment so perhaps you will be lucky too. I hope you do not have a family problem and I sure hope you will be able to attend the opera, it would be a memorable evening I am sure.

P.S. I love your screenname!!

Oh, yes, they do !! Thanks, LoveItaly :) This year they have been quick, I had to wait for this year schedule till March (to see what performances they were doing for a friend of mine).

We purchased tickets to Rigoletto the morning of the performance and they weren't that expensive. I don't recall the seats being assigned and we sat up high in the bleachers. Candles were given out and everyone lit up during the intermissions.

It was a beautiful performance and a most memorable experience for us.

Your welcome Kenderina!! I hope all is well with you and your family. It is always good to see your posts.