* ITALIAN OPERA GALA *
The VERDI FESTIVAL in PARMA
and LA SCALA in MILAN
October 22 - 30, 2010
Parma Verdi Festival: Verdi’s IL TROVATORE, I VESPRI SICILIANI, ATTILA
Milan, at La Scala: Donizetti’s L’ELISIR D’AMORE, Bizet’s CARMEN
* * * I T I N E R A R Y * * *
Friday, October 22 - PARMA
All tour guests arriving today at Bologna’s Airport will be met and accompanied to the STARHOTEL DU PARC in Parma. Welcome dinner at the hotel.
Saturday, October 23 - PARMA
This morning sightseeing in Parma’s EPISCOPAL CENTER with its Romanesque church and famous BAPTISTRY. Lunch at GRAND CAFFÈ ORIENTALE, a leading restaurant with local specialties.
This evening: Verdi’s IL TROVATORE (Teatro Regio, Parma - 8:00 PM). The cast: Teresa Romano, Marianna Tarasova, Antonio Coriano, Claudio Sgura; Yuri Temirkanov conducts. Staging by Lorenzo Mariani; scenery and costumes by William Orlandi.
Sunday, October 24 - PARMA
This morning sightseeing in Parma to include the TEATRO FARNESE, CAMERA DEL CORREGGIO, and the TOSCANINI MUSEUM. Lunch at LA GREPPIA.
This afternoon: Verdi’s I VESPRI SICILIANI (Teatro Regio, Parma - 3:30 PM). The cast: Daniela Dessì, Fabio Armiliato, Leo Nucci, Giacomo Prestia; Massimo Zanetti conducts. Staging, scenery and costumes by Pier Luigi Pizzi.
Monday, October 25 - PARMA
Morning at leisure. Late afternoon transfer to BUSSETO; dinner at a local restaurant.
This evening: Verdi’s ATTILA (Teatro Verdi in Busseto - 8:30 PM). The cast: Giovanni Battista Parodi, Susanna Branchini, Sebastian Catana, Roberto De Biasio; Andrea Battistoni conducts. Staging by Pierfrancesco Maestrini; scenery and costumes by Carlo Savi.
Tuesday, October 26 - PARMA
Today an excursion to visit the Verdi sites in and around LE RONCOLE, Verdi’s birthplace. View his home and the 16th-century SAN MICHELE CHURCH where Verdi first began to play the organ. Continue to SANT' AGATA DI VILLANOVA to visit VILLA VERDI, bought by Verdi in 1848 for his parents. He himself began living there in 1851 and lived there for the rest of his life. Continue on to BUSSETO to include the BAREZZI HOUSE, home of Antonio Barezzi who, recognizing Verdi’s musical talent, invited him to teach music to his daughter Margherita who later became Verdi’s bride. Lunch in Busseto at I DUE FOSCARI. Following lunch, return to Parma with the balance of the day at leisure.
Wednesday, October 27 - MILAN
Leave Parma this morning En route, visit the CERTOSA di PAVIA to see the CARTHUSIAN MONASTERY, a remarkable example of Lombard art, founded as a family mausoleum in 1396 by GIAN GALEAZZO VISCONTI, Lord of Milan. In Milan, accommodations at the newly renovated STARHOTEL ROSA, near La Scala. After arrival, a buffet lunch at the hotel.
Afternoon sightseeing stroll in Milan to include the famous GALLERIA VITTORIO EMANUELE, LA SCALA SQUARE, and the DUOMO. Dinner before the performance.
This evening: Donizetti’s L’ELISIR D’AMORE (Teatro alla Scala - 8:00 PM). The cast: Irina Lungu, Francesco Demuro, Gabriele Viviani, Ambrogio Maestro; Donato Renzetti conducting. Staging and costumess by Laurent Pelly; sets by Chantal Thomas.
Thursday, October 28 - MILAN
This morning a visit to the LA SCALA MUSEUM and the CASA DI RIPOSO, Verdi’s retirement home for musicians, followed by a tour (pending confirmation) to see the famous, completely restored painting of “THE LAST SUPPER” by Leonardo da Vinci. Lunch at the stylish restaurant – BOEUCC, Milan's oldest restaurant, opened in 1696. Afternoon and evening at leisure.
Friday, October 29 - MILAN
Today an excursion to nearby BERGAMO, birthplace of Gaetano Donizetti. In Città Alta, visit the BASILICA OF SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE, the CAPPELLA COLLEONI, and the DONIZETTI MUSEUM. Lunch at the TAVERNA COLLEONI restaurant. Return to the hotel in Milan before tonight’s performance.
This evening: Bizet’s CARMEN (Teatro alla Scala - 8:00 PM). The cast: Anita Rachvelishvili, Alexia Voulgaridou, Lance Ryan, Alexander Vinogradov; Gustavo Dudamel conducting. Staging and costumes by Emma Dante; sets by Richard Peduzzi.
Saturday, October 30 - DEPARTURE
Transfers to the Milan Malpensa Airport will be provided for everyone leaving Milan today.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Land Arrangements: $6,375.00 per person sharing a twin/double room
Single Room Supplement: $875.00
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The deposit required to hold space on this tour is $1,500.00 per person.
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
* Breakfast daily, 6 lunches, 3 dinners. * Accommodations at leading hotels for 8 nights. * All performance tickets. * All taxes, entrance fees. * All transfers where necessary. * Wine with all included lunches and dinners. * Gratuity to the Dailey-Thorp tour director as well as for all other group services. Land arrangements price is based on sharing a twin/double hotel room. Land Arrangements Price does NOT include: Air fares; items of a personal nature; accident/baggage/cancellation insurance.
AIR TRANSPORTATION:
Any flights from any airport -- may be arranged with Dailey-Thorp's air agent in New York -- Mr. Christophe Buszkiewicz; Telephone 212-944-2121, ext. 2829 and/or ext. 2217. Having been the manager of Dailey-Thorp's air department for many years in New York, Christophe is familiar with all our tour operations. Or, tour guests may book their flights through their local travel agent or directly with the airlines.
CURRENCY FLUCTUATION:
Please note that, depending on the fluctuation of the Euro against the US Dollar, there may be a surcharge resulting from additional increases of the EURO. This will be established approximately one month prior to the commencement of the tour.
CANCELLATION OF TOUR:
LAND ARRANGEMENTS: For cancellation by the client, these charges will apply: Cancellations received 60 days or more prior to tour commencement = $250.00 per person; 59-31 days prior = 50% of land arrangements price; less than 31 days prior =100% of land arrangements price; no appearance/no written notice = 100% of the land arrangements price. No refunds will be made for any part of the tour package, such as sightseeing, meals, performances or transfers, which are voluntarily omitted by any tour member; the tour is sold as a package. We must strictly adhere to our cancellation policy to offset costs incurred prior to the commencement of the tour.
AIR TRANSPORTATION: Cancellation of AIR FLIGHTS will be subject to the cancellation policy of the airline.
TRIP INSURANCE: WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE. An application for travel insurance will be included with our acknowledgment of your reservation. We suggest that you apply for it as soon as possible after signing up for a tour. Should it become necessary for you to cancel due to illness (but not business reasons) the policy may cover your losses (subject to insurance terms).
All cancellations must be in writing.
All tour programs are subject to change by the operator.
CANCELLATION INSURANCE IS HEARTILY RECOMMENDED!
DT1078 --- 4/29/2010
