Festival Verdi opens in Parma with rare opera ‘Alzira’

The 26th edition of the Festival Verdi has officially commenced at the Teatro Regio di Parma. The opening performance featured the opera ‘Alzira’, one of Giuseppe Verdi’s rarest works, which has not been staged at the festival since 2002.

Directed by James Conlon and conducted with the Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini and the Coro del Teatro Regio di Parma, the production featured staging by Manuel Renga and sets by Aurelio Colombo. The production utilized a symbolic and timeless space, moving away from direct historical references to the Inca world.

The opening event was attended by Italian Undersecretary of State for Culture Giampiero Cannella, along with various directors and representatives from major international opera houses and festivals. The festival continues with performances of ‘Aida’ in Busseto and ‘Nabucco’ in Parma.