Verdi Weekend Takes Over Rijeka: Opera in Streets, Squares, and Caves!
Get ready for a spectacle like no other in Rijeka! On Friday and Saturday, June 27 and 28, the city will be flooded with the notes and emotions of the great Giuseppe Verdi. And you won’t just experience it in a theater — opera will fill the streets, squares, and even caves! Yes, you read that right — opera in caves!
Who’s behind this madness?
Artists from the Croatian National Theatre Ivan pl. Zajc, the Rijeka orchestra, choir, opera soloists, drama and ballet artists, along with the artistic organization Rapsody Stefano de Angelis, have joined forces to bring Verdi’s music closer to everyone — from children to classical music lovers.
Where and when?
- Friday, June 27, starting at 4:30 PM at the Kantridi Senior Home with the concert “Mia più bella” by the guest ensemble Rapsody.
- At 7 PM at Klobučarić Square near Nikola Tesla Elementary School, a performance for the youngest “Il piccolo Verdi”.
- The evening ends with a spectacular gala concert and fireworks at Rijeka Resolution Square at 9 PM.
Saturday brings even more surprises:
- At 5:15 AM in the caves, the dance program “Verdi Sunrise” begins.
- At 8 PM, “Verdi Sunset” at the beginning of Molo Longo.
- Throughout the day, talks, concerts, and even opera arias will appear from the side facade of the HNK Ivan pl. Zajc theatre.
- The finale is “Les Vespres Verdiennes” at Theatre Square at 11 PM.
Why is this important?
This event is not just a concert but a true cultural invasion celebrating the passion for music and the universal values carried by Verdi’s work. The Rijeka “Verdi Weekend” is a co-production with the Regio Theatre of Parma and a natural continuation of Rijeka’s long-standing connection with Verdi.
Who will perform?
Top soloists of the Rijeka opera, the symphony orchestra, and the opera choir will perform under the baton of maestro Valentin Egel. The most beautiful arias from Verdi’s operas such as La Traviata, Rigoletto, Nabucco, Aida, Otello, and many more will be performed.
Why in caves?
Sounds crazy, but these unusual locations make the festival special. Music will echo where you least expect it, creating magical moments and new encounters with classical music.
Conclusion
If you think opera is boring and only for theaters, the Verdi Weekend in Rijeka will prove you wrong! Get ready for two days of culture, emotions, and spectacle that will leave you breathless. And if you dare, maybe even dance in a cave!
So, what do you think — is this the best way to bring opera closer to people or is it too much? Drop a comment, maybe together we’ll discover a new dimension of culture!
