VERDI IN HIS HOMELAND 30 JUNE - 3 JULY   Viva Verdi! The Verdi 2001 Centenary Tours Whilst the works of Verdi fill the repertoire in most of the Italian houses in this centenary year La Scala Milan have also chosen to feature operas by his contemporaries. On this very special four day tour Guiseppe Sinopoli conducts a performance of Turandot at La Scala Milan.

This tour continues to Parma, the epicentre of the Verdi celebrations, for performances of Rigoletto at the Teatro Regio and the Messa da Requiem in Verdi's birthplace in Roncole Verdi.

SATURDAY 30 JUNE

Depart from London Heathrow on Alitalia at 1235. Transfer by private coach to the 4 star Hotel Cavour in central Milan within walking distance of La Scala. Welcome drink and light snack before the performance in the Galleria adjacent to the Teatro alla Scala.
Evening performance of TURANDOT (Puccini) at the Teatro alla Scala.
C: Giuseppe Sinopoli. Cast includes: Alessandra Marc, Cristina Gallardo-Domas, Johan Botha and Andrea Papi.

SUNDAY 1 JULY

Morning departure from Milan for Parma. Stop en route and tour the charming small town of Cremona. Cremona has been famous as the world's centre of violin-making since 1566 when Andrea Amati developed the modern violin.
Antonio Stradivarius and Giuseppe Guarneri built the workshops that today still house some 50 violin masters whilst Cremona's International School of Violin-making teaches them their trade. Visit the Torrazzo, Italy's tallest bell tower dating back to the 13th century, and its Duomo, an exuberant example of Lombard Romanesque. Continue to Parma and check in mid-afternoon at the 4 star Hotel Maria Luigia.
Time to relax before this evening's performance.

Evening performance of RIGOLETTO (Verdi) at the Teatro Regio. C: Roberto Rizzi Brignoli. Cast includes: Patrizia Ciofi, Marta Moretto, Sergei Murzaev, Massimo Giordano.

MONDAY 2 JULY

Morning departure from Parma to the Villa S. Agata, the country house built by Verdi after he had achieved international fame whence he would retreat with his wife, Giuseppina to seek the solitude he needed to compose. The villa contains personal effects and memorabilia.

Continue to the nearby town of Busseto where Verdi studied as a young man before he departed for Milan to further his musical studies. Lunch at the restaurant 'I Due Foscari'.
Afternoon return to Parma.
Evening transfer to Roncole Verdi for performance of the MESSA DA REQUIEM (Verdi) at his birthplace. Return transfer to Parma after the open-air performance. C: Romano Gandolfi. Cast to be advised.

TUESDAY 3 JULY

Morning at leisure. Afternoon transfer to Milan Malpensa Airport and depart on Alitalia at 1700. Arrive London Heathrow at 1800.

	Price per person 4 Day Tour Price £1065.00 Single room supplement £100.00 Deposit required £350.00 Booking Deadline 1 March Tour Code VPA 3 Tour price includes flights and airport taxes - transfers - accommodation - sightseeing tours as described including guides and entrance fees - Buffet breakfast daily - one lunch - top category tickets for Turandot, Rigoletto and Messa da Requiem - tour manager or local representative. Dress: Lounge suit

C = Conductor   D = Director

	VERDI FESTIVAL 2001 30 JUNE - 3 JULY à la carte
	If our tour dates do not suit you or you prefer to travel independently please contact us for your tailormade itinerary including ticket and travel reservations. The programme of operas being performed and dates this season is as follows: TEATRO REGIO, PARMA Rigoletto Jun 29, Jul 1, 3, 5 La traviata Jul 20, 22, 28, 30 Verdi in una notte di mezza estate Jul 25, 27, 29 TEATRO VERDI, BUSSETO Aida Jun 30, Jul 4, 7, 11, 13 Messa da Requiem Jul 2, 6, 9, 16 Nabucco Jul 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 Concert in aid of UNICEF Roncole Jul 30 Symphony Concert 'Omaggio a Verdi', Villa Pallavicino Aug 3 Recital Renato Bruson Aug 5 PRICE GUIDELINE As an indication a three night package including flights from London, taxes, hotel accommodation (sharing a twin room) on a bed and breakfast basis, and a second category ticket to one opera performance will cost from £595.00 per person. For your a la carte quote Telephone: 020 7483 4466 Email: enquiries@travelforthearts.com