Verona, Veneto

House of Juliette, Verona.

New and old acclaimations of love

It's now 4.45am and I’ve just arrived home from Verona… It’s been a big weekend.

Today I went to Verona with the other students from the Accademia to see Verdi‘s opera Nabucca at the famous open amphitheatre.

As a city, I didn't instantly 'love' Verona, as I found it too crowded with expensive or well known chain stores and people. Summer in Europe equals constant crowds and although ths is stimulating etc it can get tiresome and sometimes it’s nice to just venture somewhere charming and beautiful without the sensory overload.

I visited Juilette's house. Interestingly, alongside the famous balcony there is a stone plaque inscribed with the immortal words of Shakespeare and juxtaposing this there are modern day affirmations and proclamations of love covering the walls of the entrance to the courtyard.

Although I’m more a Puccini fan than Verdi, the opera music and orchestra were wonderful. The atmosphere within the amphitheatre was amazing and my appreciation for the choreography and artistic direction of the stage design, costumes and lighting expanded as the opera unfolded. In the end, I didn't want the experience to end. I think that Verona amphitheatre has also cast its spell on me.

Verona amphitheratre.

Details from Opera Nabucca, Amphitheatre, Verona.