VERDI &

PUCCINI’S ITALY A MUSICAL SOJOURN

MARCH 30 – APRIL 14, 2019

TOUR LEADER: ROBERT GAY

PRELIMINARY ITINERARY

Overview

Verdi and Puccini became major international figures of the European musical world in the 19th and early 20th centuries, yet both composers retained a distinct sense of Italian regional identity – they both are quintessentially ‘Italian’ composers whose music and lifestyles encapsulated the spirit of Italy on the eve of modernity. Our carefully crafted itinerary explores the lives and work of Verdi and Puccini from this regional perspective. Our journey begins with three nights in Rome before we head north, for three nights, to the seaside resort of Viareggio where Puccini lived in his final years. We visit his villa at Torre del Lago and explore nearby Lucca, a much-loved Tuscan city, where he was born. Crossing the Apennine range, we reach the Plain of the Po and Verdi territory. The elegant city of Parma, where we spend three nights, is an important regional centre famous for its prosciutto and parmigiano cheese. We spend a day visiting the various Verdi sites in the region and another day exploring the lovely countryside. From there we travel to Milan, for four nights, to attend performances at the famous Teatro alla Scala, and visit the city’s top art galleries. We take an excursion to Lake Como and visit Bergamo, Donizetti’s beautiful home town. To end the tour, we spend two nights in Turin, where we have performances at the historic Teatro Regio.

Your tour leader

For over 25 years, Robert Gay has presented music history courses for the Centre for Continuing Education at the University of Sydney. Over the same period he has designed and escorted more than 80 musical and cultural tours to Europe and America. On tour, Robert will provide a thorough introduction to the performances you see, with detailed pre-performance talks and post-performance reviews. Robert’s approach to

music is multi-faceted. First and foremost, he links the music to the biographical, historical and social context in which it was created. Secondly, he explains in plain language technical aspects of the music – how the composer communicates through sound. Finally, as a trained singer who attends dozens of performances each year, he offers great insight into the qualities of the performances you see on tour. “There is no doubt that it was Robert Gay’s leadership that made the trip such a memorable experience. He was brilliant in every way.” Feedback from Switzerland to Spain: a musical adventure, April 2015

Tour dates: March 30 – April 14, 2019

Tour leader: Robert Gay

Tour Price: $10,895 per person, twin share

Single Supplement: $2,360 for sole use of double room

Booking deposit: $500 per person

Recommended airline: Emirates

Maximum places: 20

Itinerary: Rome (3 nights), Viareggio (3 nights), Parma (3 nights), Milan (4 nights), Turin (2 nights)

Date published: April 9, 2018

Enquiries and

bookings

For further information and to secure a place on this tour please contact Frederick Steyn at Academy Travel on 9235 0023 or 1800 639 699 (outside Sydney) or email frederick@academytravel.com.au

Please note that opera houses in Italy do not release their 2019 programs until the second half of 2018. In order to get the very best performance program possible, we may need to vary the start and finish dates of the tour by a few days, and/or change the order of cities visited on the tour. We will update you on changes as soon as they occur and publish a final itinerary in October 2018. If you are not satisfied with the final line-up of performances you may withdraw from the tour and receive a full refund of all monies paid.

Tour Highlights

Six to seven performances of opera, orchestral music and chamber music are included, in some of Italy’s most celebrated music venues, including historic opera houses such as Milan’s La Scala and Rome’s Teatro dell’Opera. Operatic performances will be selected from the 2019 season, and a full tour program will be available in October 2018, when the theatres have released their schedules.

La Scala is the world's most venerated opera house, the apex of Italian opera, and the heart and soul of Milan. Inaugurated in 1778, Italy's greatest operatic artists and the finest singers from around the world have appeared at La Scala. The Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala di Milano, led by Milanese conductor Riccardo Chailly, is considered to be one of the world's best orchestras for opera productions.

Over the course of several renovations and name changes, Rome's premier opera house is known today as Teatro dell'Opera di Roma. Known for its fantastic acoustics, the opera house, originally opened in 1880, can still compete with any other venue in the world in terms of sound quality. Each season it features a variety of opera, ballet and theatre productions showcasing the best international performers.

Trace the fascinating lives of Italy’s greatest composers, visiting the places of their birth and the towns where they lived and worked. Giuseppe Verdi was born near Busseto to a provincial family and developed a musical education with the help of a local patron. Giacomo Puccini was born in Lucca to a local musical dynasty. We visit their country villas and the theatres where they gained early success.

First created in Florence more than 400 years ago, opera has been inspiring people ever since. On this tour, explore Italy’s remarkable musical heritage with tour leader Robert Gay, who will give a series of lectures on the performances you will see, as well as some of the sites you will visit. There is a focus on music-themed touring in Rome, Lucca, Parma, Bergamo and Milan.

Detailed itinerary

Included meals are shown with the letters B, L, D and C for canapés.

Saturday March 30

Arrive Rome

If you have booked your air travel through Academy Travel we will organise a transfer from Rome Fiumicino Airport to our hotel. Please note that hotel rooms may not be available until early afternoon. In the evening meet Robert Gay at the hotel bar for welcome drinks followed by a light dinner. Overnight Rome (C)

Sunday March 31 – Performance I

Borghese Gallery

After a morning talk on this evening’s performance, we visit the Borghese Gallery to see several masterpieces by Bernini, including his ‘Apollo and Daphne’. We explore the painting gallery on the upper floor where works by Raphael, Titian and Caravaggio are on display. We have a welcome lunch at a fine local restaurant, then the later afternoon is free before this evening’s performance. Overnight Rome (B, L)

Performance details Venue: Teatro dell’Opera di Roma Program: to be announced Performers: to be announced

Monday April 1 – Performance ii

Tosca's Rome

Today we use Puccini’s Roman opera Tosca as the basis for our sightseeing. We visit the baroque church of Sant’ Andrea della Valle (Act I) to see where Cavaradossi was painting and where Angelotti hid. We then walk to the nearby Palazzo Farnese (Act II), a Renaissance palazzo designed for the Farnese Pope Paul III. Today, this magnificent building which is adorned with fleur de lys – the Farnese symbol – houses the French embassy. In the famous Campo dei Fiori we pause for lunch, after which we follow the Via Giulia to the Castel Sant’ Angelo (Act III). This massive structure was originally the mausoleum of the Emperor Hadrian before it became a papal fortress and then a prison. We see the spot where Cavaradossi was executed by firing squad, and where Tosca plunged to her death! The later afternoon is free before this evening’s performance. Overnight Rome (B)

Above: the Castel Sant’ Angelo Below: Vintage poster of Puccini’s Tosca

Tour start & finish time

The tour starts on Saturday March 30 at 6.00pm, with welcome drinks and canapes at the Rome hotel.

The tour ends on Sunday April 14 at 10.00am, with a group transfer from the hotel to Milan Malpensa airport.

Above: A past production of Puccini’s Tosca at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma; an aerial view of Lucca’s piazza dell'Anfiteatro Below: Puccini at his piano

Performance details Venue: Teatro dell’Opera di Roma Program: to be announced Performers: to be announced

Tuesday April 2

To Viareggio via Siena

This morning we travel to the coastal Tuscan resort town of Viareggio, stopping along the way in Siena. Siena was an important centre of trade, banking, art and pilgrimage in the Middle Ages, but the Black Death killed a third of the population in 1348 and the city never recovered. It is now frozen beautifully in time, but a large student population lends a vitality to the elegant streets. We tour the Palazzo Pubblico, and the medieval cathedral, where every available space is decorated with sculptures, floor mosaics and fine frescoes. This evening we have dinner in the hotel. Overnight Viareggio (B, D)

Wednesday April 3 Puccini’s Lucca

This morning we travel the short distance to the walled town of Lucca, closely associated with Giacomo Puccini. Our morning walking tour takes in the Roman origins of Lucca, so clearly seen in the Piazza dell’ Anfiteatro, as well as the many fine monuments associated with the medieval age of pilgrimage, most notably the cathedral of San Martino, constructed in local Carrara marble. Inside, we see the strange ‘Volto Santo’ (Holy Face) crucifix, and the lovely funerary statue of Ilaria del Carretto by Jacopo della Quercia. We then have lunch at a local trattoria, followed by free time to stroll along the Renaissance walls or to shop in the fine stores of the old town. We return to Viareggio in the early evening. Overnight Viareggio (B, L)

Thursday April 4

Torre del Lago and Pisa

In 1880, Puccini left Lucca to study at Milan's music conservatory, returning to Tuscany after his studies to rent a lakeside house in Torre del Lago, 15km west of Lucca on the shore of Lago di Massaciuccoli. Nine years later he had a villa built on the same lakeshore, undertaking the Liberty-style interior decoration himself. The villa has been preserved almost exactly as it was during Puccini's residence from 1900 until 1921. Here he wrote Madama Butterfly, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi. We visit the Museum Villa Puccini then in the afternoon travel to Pisa for a guided tour of Piazza dei Miracoli. Overnight Viareggio (B)

Friday April 5 – Performance iiI

Parma

This morning we depart for the elegant city of Parma. After checking into our hotel, we have a guided visit to the fine Romanesque cathedral and baptistery which are amongst the most outstanding monuments in northern Italy. This evening, we attend a performance at Teatro Regio di Parma. Overnight Parma (B)

Performance details Venue: Teatro Regio di Parma Program: To be announced Performers: To be announced

Saturday April 6 – Performance iV

Bologna

Today we visit the city of Bologna, situated at the foot of the Apennines. Bologna has enjoyed a special reputation in Italy and abroad for its cultured and educated citizens. We visit the Romanesque cathedral of San Petronio, Le Due Torri and the covered markets before some free time to explore the city at leisure. There is a concert performance in Bologna this evening. Overnight Parma (B)

Performance details Venue: Teatro Comunale di Bologna Program: To be announced Performers: To be announced

Sunday April 7

BUSSETO AND VERDI’S Farmhouse

In the late morning we set off on our exploration of the three major sites associated with Verdi, beginning with his birthplace at Le Roncole. In nearby Busseto, we visit the house of his patron and father-in-law Antonio Barezzi, and the tiny Teatro Verdi which was built in his honour – and against his express wish – in 1868. In the afternoon we continue on to his farmhouse at Sant’ Agata where we see some of the rooms which have been preserved as a museum. We have time to stroll in the extensive grounds before returning to Parma. Overnight Parma (B)

Monday April 8

Donizetti’s Bergamo

Today we depart for Milan, en route visiting the beautiful city of Bergamo, birthplace of Donizetti. It is a delightful place, with an historic fortified Upper Town full of splendid medieval and Renaissance buildings and squares. We visit the Donizetti museum, as well as the church where he is buried, and the small but magnificent Colleoni Chapel. We arrive in Milan in the later afternoon and gather for dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Milan (B, D)

Tuesday April 9 – Performance V

Teatro alla scala

Milan has been a centre of music and culture since the Renaissance, but it was in the 19th century that its opera house became the most famous in the world, with many important premieres taking place there. This morning we take a walking tour of Milan, visiting Teatro alla Scala and museum, to admire an extensive collection of librettos, paintings of the famous names of Italian opera, posters, costumes, antique instruments, and design sketches for the theatre. Often there are special exhibitions to reflect current productions. Overnight Milan (B)

Above: Giuseppe Verdi Below: Teatro Verdi in Busseto; inside Teatro Verdi; La Scala’s past production of La Traviata with Angela Gheorghiu

Performance details Venue: Teatro alla Scala Program: To be announced Performers: To be announced

Wednesday April 10

Villa d’este on Lake Como

Today we have a relaxing day visiting the beautiful shores of Lake Como with lunch at the Renaissance-era Villa d’Este. This has been one of Europe’s grand hotels for more than a century, and we enjoy an elegant lunch al fresco on the lakefront before returning to Milan. Overnight Milan (B, L)

Thursday April 11 – Performance VI

Brera Gallery

This morning after a talk on this evening’s performance, we visit the Brera gallery, a world-class collection of northern Italian art whose highlights include Mantegna’s Lamentation of Christ and Piero della Francesca’s representation of Federico da Montefeltro’s court in his Holy Conversation. Other artists represented here include the Bellini brothers, Raphael, Titian and Tintoretto, Caravaggio and Rembrandt. The afternoon is at leisure to relax before this evening’s performance at La Scala. Overnight Milan (B)

Performance details Venue: Teatro alla Scala Program: To be announced Performers: To be announced

Friday April 12

Turin

Today we depart for Turin, the capital of Piedmont. Formerly the seat of the Dukes of Savoy, the city was chosen as the first capital of the new Italian Kingdom in 1860. Turin has much to offer, including a world-class Egyptian museum and art gallery, and a fine modern opera house replacing the historic Teatro Regio which was destroyed in the Second World War. It was here that Puccini had his first big successes with the premieres of Manon Lescaut and La Bohème in 1893 and 1896 respectively. On arrival, we have a guided walking tour of the city centre, then time to relax before dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Turin (B, D)

Saturday April 13 – Performance VII

Egyptian Museum

After a talk on this evening’s opera, we head to Turin’s acclaimed Egyptian Museum, specialising in Egyptian archaeology and anthropology. It houses one of the largest collections of Egyptian antiquities, with more than 30,000 artefacts. Afterwards we have our farewell lunch at a fine local restaurant, then the later afternoon is at leisure before tonight’s opera at Teatro Regio.

Above: Milan born conductor Riccardo Chailly; The Kiss by the Italian artist Francesco Hayez Below: Milan’s impressive cathedral

Performance details Venue: Teatro Regio Torino Program: To be announced Performers: To be announced

Sunday April 14

Departure

The tour ends after breakfast. Departing group members transfer to Milan Malpensa Airport for outgoing flights. (B)

Hotels

Hotels have been selected principally for their central location. All hotels are excellent four-star properties that are renovated palazzi.

➢ Rome, Hotel Ponte Sisto (3 nights)

A four-star hotel located in a renovated historical palazzo in a quiet part of central Rome. The recently refurbished rooms are well-equipped and relatively spacious. www.hotelpontesisto.it

➢ Viareggio, Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte (3 nights)

The superior four-star Principe di Piemonte is on the seafront at Viareggio. The historic building dates from 1925. The hotel was among the favourites on our 2009 Verdi and Puccini’s Italy tour. www.principedipiemonte.com

➢ Parma, Hotel Mercure Parma Stendhal (3 nights)

A four-star property right in the historic centre of Parma, close to the Teatro Regio and other important sites. www.hotelstendhal.it

➢ Milan, Rosa Grand Milano (4 nights)

The stylish Hotel Rosa is located in the heart of Milan. The hotel decor is modern and rooms are comfortable and well appointed, including tea and coffee making facilities. www.starhotels.com

➢ Turin, Grand Hotel Sitea (2 nights)

Built in the early 1900s, this four-star hotel is superbly positioned in the heart of Risorgimento Turin. Rooms are decorated in a classic style that recalls the mood of the period in which the hotel was built. www.thi-hotels.com/hotels/grand-hotel-sitea/four-star-luxury-hotelturin.html/

Images right: the Turin city skyline; the dramatic interior of the Teatro Regio Torino; and up with the latest – Puccini’s modernism is apparent

not just in his later operas, but in his love of automobiles

Tour Price

The tour price is $10,895 per person, twin share (land content only). The supplement for a single room is $2,360 per person. A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required to secure a place on the tour.

With the publication of this final itinerary a second deposit of $1,500 becomes due. We will send you an invoice for this amount approximately two weeks after we receive your booking. Alternatively, you can simply pay $2,000 per person with your booking to cover both the initial and second deposit.

Tour Inclusions

➢ All accommodation in carefully selected four-star hotels

➢ All breakfasts

➢ Selected lunches and dinners in hotels and local restaurants as noted in the itinerary

➢ Best available tickets to the performances ➢ All ground transport via private air-conditioned coach

➢ All entrance fees to sites mentioned on the itinerary

➢ Background talks on sites and extensive tour notes

➢ Services of tour leader throughout tour/ local guides at some sites

➢ Tips for local guides and drivers

➢ International air fares, taxes and surcharges (see below)

➢ Travel insurance

➢ Meals not mentioned in itinerary

➢ Expenses of a personal nature

Air travel OPTIONS

The tour price quoted is for land content only. For this tour we recommend Emirates which offers flights into Rome and out of Milan from most Australian cities. Please contact us for further information on competitive Economy, Business and First Class airfares. Transfers between airport and hotel are included for all passengers booking their flights through Academy Travel. These may be group or individual transfers.

Enquiries & bookings

For further information and to secure a place on this tour please contact Frederick Steyn at Academy Travel on 9235 0023 or 1800 639 699 (outside Sydney) or email frederick@academytravel.com.au

Fitness Requirements

of THIS tour

It is important both for you and for your fellow travellers that you are fit enough to be able to enjoy all the activities on this tour. To give you an indication of the level of physical fitness required to participate on our tours, we have given them a star grading. Academy Travel’s tours tend to feature extended walking tours and site visits, which require greater fitness than coach touring. We ask you to carefully consider your ability to meet the physical demands of the tour.

This Grade Two tour is designed for people who lead active lives and can comfortably participate in up to five hours of physical activity per day on most days, including longer walking tours, climbing stairs, embarking and disembarking coaches.

You should be able to:

➢ keep up with the group at all times ➢ walk for 4-5 kilometres at a moderate pace with only

short breaks ➢ attend a series of evening performances, one after the

other, ending at 10.30-11.30pm ➢ stand for a reasonable length of time in galleries and

museums ➢ walk up and down slopes ➢ get on and off a large coach with steep stairs, train or

boat unassisted, possibly with luggage ➢ move your luggage a short distance if required

If you are more than 80 years old, or have restricted mobility, it is highly likely that you will find this itinerary challenging. You will have to miss several activities and will not get the full value of the tour. Your booking will not be accepted until after you have contacted Academy Travel to discuss your situation and the exact physical requirements of this tour. While we will do our best to reasonably accommodate the physical needs of all group members, we reserve the right to refuse bookings if we feel that the requirements of the tour are too demanding for you and/or if local conditions mean we cannot reasonably accommodate your condition.

Weather on Tour

The weather in Italy in April is generally mild and pleasant. Expect daytime temperatures to range between 18-24 degrees. Evenings may become cooler, requiring a warmer jacket and scarf. There is a possibility of some rainfall at all five of our destinations, so a weather-proof jacket and umbrella are recommended.