Video: Verona

One of the touristy things that I manage to get to during my second stop in Venice was an Opera in Verona. I really knew nothing about Verona but Emilie had mentioned that there was an old arena there where they still performed Operas, so we decided to go check it out. The old arena is an old colloseum-esque place, built roughly 1000 years ago (I think), that is still largely intact/restored and can still hold roughly 20,000 people.

We showed up a couple of hours before showtime and were able to get tickets to 'Carmen', that nights opera, for about $20 up high on the old stone, unnumbered bleacher seats which provided a great view. Waiting for the opera to start the atmosphere was similar to that of a baseball game, with the sun setting, people talking, and young men and women walking around selling drinks and food from coolers slung over their shoulders. Once the sun went down and the lights extinguished, everyone lit the small candles that were handed to them upon entry, as part of the tradition of lighting the stage with candles (something started during the fist re-inaugural opera in ~1913).

The opera was amazing, with over a hundred people in each scene, live horses and carts on stage, and an incredible sound from the orchestra and singers alike, despite no microphones. Unfortunately, Emilie and I neglected to check the times for the trains returning to Venice and missed the last one by over an hour. As a result we passed the time in the 'Green Bar' until 3am, listening to dated techno music and munching on flat bread sandwiches to keep us going and prep us for the remaining 2 1/2hrs in the train station on hard stone benches until we could catch the next train at 5:30am. Despite the night in the train station it was a great nite.

Photos: Verona