Piccolo Opera Festival
The Piccolo Opera Festival is an annual opera festival held in Spoleto, Italy. It was founded in 1958 by Gian Carlo Menotti, who served as its artistic director until his death in 2007. The festival is known for its innovative productions and its focus on contemporary opera.
History
The Piccolo Opera Festival was founded in 1958 by Gian Carlo Menotti, who had been living in Spoleto since the early 1950s. Menotti was a composer, librettist, and stage director, and he had a strong vision for the festival. He wanted to create a festival that would be accessible to everyone, regardless of their income or background. He also wanted to focus on contemporary opera, which he believed was the future of the art form.
The first Piccolo Opera Festival was held in 1958, and it was a critical and commercial success. The festival has continued to grow over the years, and it now attracts thousands of visitors each year. The festival has also been instrumental in the development of contemporary opera, and many of the world’s leading opera composers have had their works performed at the festival.
Productions
The Piccolo Opera Festival is known for its innovative productions. The festival has a team of talented directors, designers, and musicians who work together to create productions that are both visually stunning and musically compelling.
The festival has a wide-ranging repertoire, which includes operas from the Baroque period to the present day. The festival also commissions new operas each year, and these new works often receive their world premieres at the festival.
Tickets
Tickets for the Piccolo Opera Festival go on sale in March each year. Tickets can be purchased online or by phone. The festival offers a variety of ticket prices, depending on the performance and the seating location.
Accommodation
There are a variety of hotels and guesthouses in Spoleto. The festival also offers a number of accommodation packages, which include tickets to the festival and accommodation in a local hotel.
Getting there
Spoleto is located in central Italy, about 100 kilometers northeast of Rome. The festival is easily accessible by train or car. The nearest airport is Perugia, which is about 60 kilometers from Spoleto.
Conclusion
The Piccolo Opera Festival is one of the most important opera festivals in the world. The festival offers a unique opportunity to see some of the world’s best opera singers and musicians in stunning productions. If you are a fan of opera, then you should definitely consider attending the Piccolo Opera Festival.
Links
- Piccolo Opera Festival website
- Wikipedia article on the Piccolo Opera Festival
- New York Times article on the Piccolo Opera Festival