| Despite a somewhat negative weather forecast, the gods were kind for the BRA and Italian Cultural Society of Neuchâtel visit to Verona on 3-4 September to see a magnificent production of Verdi’s Aida. Organized by BRA Council Member, Anne Droz, we gathered at Lausanne Station to take the Inter-City train from Geneva to Venice and arrived five hours later to find Verona bathed in glorious sunshine. A short bus journey to the modern but well appointed Hotel San Marco to off-load our luggage was followed by an initial tour of the attractive shops and sights. Verona is truly one of Italy’s must-see places with wonderfully picturesque streets, piazzas, patrician homes, palaces, fortifications and of course the place where Romeo wooed Juliette, resulting in William Shakespeare’s tragic play. Sadly, the entrance to the courtyard overhung by its famous balcony is besmirched by graffiti on every inch of wall. Dominating the city is the world famous Arena built by the Romans at the beginning of the 1st Century AD, even before the Colosseum in Rome, and which remained the third largest in the Empire. Incidentally the Arena (sand) owes its name to the strata of sand spread in the centre to absorb blood and to cushion falls in fights between gladiators and with wild animals. It is still capable of holding 30,000 people although for the opera season, a large area is taken up by scenery. The first performance of Aida took place on 10 August 1913 to mark the 100th Anniversary of the birth of Guiseppe Verdi. It was that version that we were priviledged to see on 3 September with breathtaking scenery which really made us feel that we were in Egypt. At one stage, rain seemed to threaten when a few spots fell but it held off and we had an unblemished and memorable performance. The following day, still in fine weather, we again enjoyed the sights of Verona but whilst preparing for the return train journey, the heavens suddenly opened up and gave us a good drenching. However, the storm was soon over and we left Verona in good spirits, having enjoyed a splendid weekend thanks to Anne. |
Michael Type