Arrive in Bologna in the mid-afternoon and make your own way to the hotel. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements including flights, private hotel transfer and pre-tour accommodation.

In the early evening, join Mairi and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing followed by dinner.

(D)

After a pre-performance talk with Mairi, check out of the hotel and depart Bologna for the charming historic city of Reggio Emilia for lunch. Then continue to Parma and check-in at the hotel upon arrival in the mid-afternoon.

This evening attend the opening Gala performance of the Verdi Festival at the Teatro Regio di Parma, where celebrated soprano Rosa Feola and baritone Sergio Vitale perform arias by Verdi.

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This morning embark on a walking tour of Parma and visit the Romanesque Duomo, famous for its frescos painted by Antonio da Correggio in the early 16th century, and the medieval Baptistery, which marks a transition between Gothic and Romanesque styles of architecture in Italy. Lunch and the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to further explore Parma at your own pace.

In the afternoon travel by coach to Verdi’s home town of Busseto for an evening performance of the Orchestra Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini at the Teatro Giuseppe Verdi. The orchestra is named after the famous conductor, who started as a cellist and played in the orchestra of some of Verdi’s opera performances, with the composer himself conducting.

(BD)

This morning continue in the footsteps of Verdi, beginning in the village of Le Roncole, where Verdi was born in 1813. Return to Busseto to visit Casa Barezzi, the home of Verdi’s father-in-law who supported Verdi and sponsored his early music career. After lunch, visit the museum Villa Verdi at Sant’ Agatha, where Verdi composed most of his famous works. Return to Parma in the late afternoon.

(BL)

In the morning enjoy a pre-performance talk by Mairi before visiting Teatro Farnese, one of the oldest Renaissance theatres still in existence, contained within the Palazzo della Pilotta. Built in the late 16th century during the reign of Duke Ottavio Farnese, the Palazzo consists of three courts: the Cortile di San Pietro Martire, Cortile del Guazzatoio and the Cortile della Racchetta. Enjoy a private guided tour of both the Palazzo and the theatre and see the surviving remains of the Verdi Monument.

This evening enjoy a performance of Il Trovatore at Teatro Magnani, in the nearby town of Fidenza. One of Verdi’s middle period masterpieces, this work established him as the world’s most popular opera composer. The opera is fast paced and full of exhilarating melodies, and includes some of his most famous chorus pieces.

(BD)

This morning discover the culinary specialities of the region, including local wines and the famous Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Parma ham. Enjoy a lunch with local produce in a rural setting before returning to Parma in the mid-afternoon.

In the evening attend a performance of the rarely-performed original 1857 version of the opera Simon Boccanegra at the Teatro Regio di Parma. The opera tells the story of the Doge of Genua, with plenty of court intrigues, disguises and dramatic twists to make for a captivating spectacle.

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Today there is the opportunity to discover more of Parma at your leisure. Perhaps visit the birthplace and museum of Arturo Toscanini, the famous Italian conductor and contemporary of Verdi or simply stroll along the streets and squares of the town.

After a late-afternoon talk by Mairi, attend a performance of Verdi’s choral pieces Quattro Pezzi Sacri at Teatro Reggio, by the orchestra and chorus of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, conducted by music director Daniele Gatti.

(B)

Today visit Mantua, a small historic city surrounded by lakes and famous for its Renaissance architecture, erected by the house of Gonzaga, who ruled the city for more than 400 years. Apart from the city’s many palaces, the Teatro Bibiena stands out where Mozart performed when he was only 14 years old. The city was also the setting of Verdi’s opera Rigoletto. Return to Parma after lunch.

This evening return to the Teatro Regio for our last performance of the Verdi Festival, La Forza del Destino. This fascinating opera includes a famous overture, show-stopping arias and ensembles, and also some of Verdi best chorus music. The excellent orchestra from the Teatro Comunale in Bologna performs under the baton of Roberto Abbado, with an impressive cast performing the three main roles.

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Check out of the hotel and travel to Milan. Enjoy lunch in the charming town of Piacenza en route before arriving in Milan in the late afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at your leisure.

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After a morning talk by Mairi, enjoy a guided tour of the Ansaldo Workshops, where the stage sets for all the performances at La Scala are crafted and painted and where some 800 to 1,000 new costumes are sewn for each season. The afternoon is free to explore Milan at leisure.

In the evening attend a performance of Umberto Giordano’s opera Fedora at the famous Teatro alla Scala, with opera stars Roberto Alagna and Sonya Yoncheva performing the main roles. This world-famous opera house has an illustrious history with premieres of Italy’s foremost composers, and appearances of the world’s leading singers and conductors.

(BL)

Check out of the hotel in the morning and travel by coach to Venice. Enjoy lunch in Verona along the way before arriving in Venice in the late afternoon. The evening is at leisure.

(BL)

Begin the morning with a pre-performance talk by Mairi before an exclusive visit to the Palazzo Loredan Vendramin Calergi. The Palazzo contains items related to classical music and opera, including musical scores, signed letters, paintings, rare documents and the largest Richard Wagner collection outside Bayreuth.

In the evening head to the Teatro La Fenice for a performance of the opera La Fille du Régiment. Made famous by Pavarotti with the aria ‘Ah! Mes amis’ with its ten high Cs, this light-hearted opera was written by Donizetti for the Opera-Comique in Paris in 1840, and was an immediate success.

(B)

In the morning travel by private boat to the island of Murano and enjoy a short walking tour of the island, famous for its history of exquisite glassmaking. Visit the workshop of a master craftsman and view a demonstration of the production process, which has been used to make fine glass products for over 1,500 years. Return to mainland Venice for some time at leisure before a special farewell dinner with Mairi and fellow travellers.

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Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour, private airport transfers and travel insurance (a condition of travel).

(B)