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| arriving through the artists' entrance |
It has taken me almost 50 years of living in Italy, but finally I did get a chance to attend the opera held in Rome's magnificent Baths of Caracalla.
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| the chorus waiting for their cue |
The
opera staged in the Baths of Caracalla is a
highlight of a summer vacation in Rome. For those who live here and have friends who work in the
field, it can mean a very special night
out.
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| few people were invited |
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| Director Pizzi with his entourage |
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| props and shadows at the opera |
This we discovered when Aurelio, a member of the chorus of the Rome Opera, organized a special visit behind the scenes at the
Baths of Caracalla.
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| Act II scenery |
We were able to assist at the prova generale of Puccini’s
Tosca which is being held there
this week.
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| singers Aurelio Cicero Santalena with Raffaella Angeletti |
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| before costumes |
Raffaella Angeletti, who plays Tosca
and Antonello Ceron (Spoletta) sat down with us at the outdoor café reserved for artists and personnel before retiring
to their dressing rooms for make up and costumes.
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| wardrobe ladies |
Then, just like Conductor Renato Palumbo and his family, we
explored parts of the huge archeological complex to admire the mosaics that still decorate parts of
the baths where Roman citizens cavorted between 216 and 530 AD.
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| admiring the mosaics of the Baths |
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| intact mosaics Baths of Caracalla |
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| conductor Palumbo shows his family around |
Pier Luigi
Pizzi ‘s new version of Tosca by will be a surprise for public and critics
for it features Scarpia and the sbirri dressed
in Fascist uniforms.
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| costume board |
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| with Pizzi |
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| Aurelio, Susanna, Antonello Ceron and MJ |
Don’t wait for 50 years to enjoy an evening
at the Baths of Caracalla where you can combine great opera music with a sublime archeological
setting.
Tim Contado Saw AIDA there a few times, many many years ago...
ReplyDelete10 hours ago ·
Joseph Parisi Saw Aida there when I was at NDI (circa 1979).
10 hours ago ·
Sivaporn Dardarananda I saw Aida with my parents after the FAO moved from Washington D.C. to Rome in 1951. It must have been 1954-55 and probably one of the first opera events to be staged at Therme Di Caracalla. One of my father's colleagues at FAO disappeared during the intermission. It was later found that he fell thru the floor of the ancient structure and died. There was a serious safety check of the grounds afterwards.
8 hours ago via mobile ·
What a wonderful opportunity to see the opera (Tosca is a favorite of mine) at the Baths and also to have the chance to go behind the scenes. I'm jealous!
ReplyDeleteI just came back from Verona where I saw three operas in the Arena (actually 2 1/2 because the performance of Nabuco was halted just as the 3rd act when it started to rain). I was first in Verona almost 20 years ago with my husband and young children. We visited the Arena but were too early for the music season. So I've been waiting 20 years, not quite your 50, to see the open air opera. All three performances (Aida, Il Trovatore, Nabuco) were quite spectacular.
The day after Nabuco was rained out I read in the newspaper that the Commune of Verona is hoping to dome the Arena because of weather damage to the structure and to prevent losses when rain cancels performances there.
I have attended many times - the experience is memorable with the moon, fireflies, umbrella pines and the ruins. Sometimes the performance could be improved but who really cares in such a setting?
ReplyDeleteI also saw Tosca performed at the baths a couple of years ago, a great experience. the production I saw was first rate in answer to the comment above questioning the quality of performances. I've been to Verons too and that was a great experience too.
ReplyDeleteLovely! I went a few years ago to see the traviata.
ReplyDeleteDear Mary Jane--A thrilling experience which I remember as well when I went with Herbert and saw "Aida". I froze as the evening turned cool> We now have a first rate symphony orchestra in Morocco and saw Tosca performed a Fench group. Excellent. Have the recording with Maria Callas. Keep well.Georgia
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your blog. Every time I find a new entry, I am amazed at the rich diversity of via d'Italia. Opera in the baths -- incredibile!
ReplyDelete