Terme de Caracalla

Rome Independent Opera

30 July - 2 August 2009

Set amongst the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla in Rome, this is a highly atmospheric, relatively small venue. Performances are of high standard and are traditional Italian Opera. Tosca by Puccini is Rome's own Opera set in Rome during the Napoleonic wars.

On one evening 1st category tickets to the opera are included.

The daytime is free to explore Medieval and Renaissance Rome, and the relationships between the Roman aristocracy, the Papacy and their architects and artists. Also you can visit the classical sights and museums or just relax and enjoy this great city. In the evening there is opera (optional).

About Carmen: This French Opera by Georges Bizet is set in the mid 19th century in Seville in Southern Spain and tells the tragic love story of Don José and his ensnarement by Carmen away from his fiancée Micaela. It features the superb overture as well as the rousing March of the Toreadors and the Habanera.

The Cast

Elīna Garanča - Prolific Mezzo-Soprano from Latvia, very much a rising star. She seems to have been almost a permanent feature at the Vienna State Opera and is releasing a recording of I Capuleti e i Montecchi with Anna Netrebko. She has appeared as Dorabella in Cosi fan Tutte at Covent Garden and she will be appearing later in the year at Covent Garden in another production of Carmen.

Marcelo Àlvarez - Internationally acclaimed tenor whose past performances have included many of the great Operas of Verdi and Puccini. He is arguably the greatest singer of the heroic Verdi tenor repertoire on the operatic stage today. He was triumphant as Don Jose at Covent Garden in March last year