A Detour: "Notre Dame de Paris" at Arena di Verona

I know, I know....this is a cycling journal. But, there may be times when I just have to take a slight detour into Italian life and culture.

If you are visiting Verona during the summer months you can take in an evening opera at the Arena di Verona. The Arena di Verona is a Roman amphitheatre which is internationally famous for the large-scale opera performances given there. Built in 30 AD (!) it is one of the best preserved ancient structures of its kind in the world. This year's playbill will include Turandot, Aida, Madama Butterfly, Carmen and Il Trovatore.

It's nice to do some riding during the day in the hills, return to Verona in the afternoon and watch classic opera in the evening in the stunning Arena. Recent visitors such as Peter (aka as "Pietro"), and Buzz and Maria have done just that.

From time to time there are good popular music concerts concerts as well. The Eagles, Bruce Springsteen and Eric Clapton (I didn't get a chance to ask him about his Cinelli) are among the concerts I've seen at the Arena.

All of which brings me to "Bella", in Italian, from a performance of "Notre Dame de Paris" at the Arena:


Arena di Verona program information can be found here.

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Verona: Proud to Host The Finish of the Giro d'Italia

"We are proud to be the choice of the organizers for conclusion of the next Giro d'Italia in Verona. The Arena (ed. note: the Roman coliseum in Piazza Bra) is a setting worthy of the event, and the city of Verona will be up to the task of hosting such an important event." These are the comments by Mayor Flavio Tosi to the news that Verona and its Arena will be hosting the final stage of the 2010 Giro d'Italia.


Verona Sports Counselor Federico Sboarina added, "May 30, 2010, will be a great day for Verona and for sport in the city which falls 26 years after the historic 1984 edition won by Francesco Moser."


Photo: aerial view of the Arena, Piazza Bra, Verona


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