Roberta Mantegna

Benito Mussolini's early career from his founding of the Fasci Italiani in 1919 up to the assassination of socialist politician Giacomo Matteotti in 1924 and his speech in Parliament on 3 January 1925.

"This is a family tragedy, and in many ways, it is a very contemporary story." This is how Robert Wilson described Il trovatore, or Le Trouvère in its French version, commissioned from Verdi after the incredible success of the premiere of his Italian version in 1853. With a few changes and alterations to the original music, this version was first performed in 1857 at the Paris Opera. A light show unique to the stage director unfolds in the cold architecture, creating the perfect framing for Verdi’s music, dramatic and dark in this timeless opera.

Staged at the 45th Festival della Valle d'Itria in Martina Franca, this 2019 production of Nicola Antonio Manfroce's rare opera Ecuba brings a forgotten early-19th-century tragedy back to the spotlight. Directed, designed, and costumed by Pier Luigi Pizzi, the staging delivers a striking visual interpretation of Giovanni Schmidt's libretto surrounding the aftermath of the Trojan War. Under the musical direction of Sesto Quatrini, the performance features powerful vocal delivery from Lidia Fridman and Carmela Remigio alternating in the title role alongside an accomplished ensemble. Backed by the Orchestra del Teatro Petruzzelli di Bari, this gripping revival offers an intense, rarely-heard exploration of classical myth and maternal grief.

As Aragon descends into unrest, a count jealously fights for a noble lady's heart. But she has already given it to a passionate troubadour whose mother holds a terrible secret.

The opening work of the 2019-2020 season of the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma was Verdi's grand opera based on a historical uprising Sicily in 1282. Conducted by Daniele Gatti and directed by Valentina Carrasco. Given in the original French version as "Les Vêpres Siciliennes.”

Benito Mussolini's early career from his founding of the Fasci Italiani in 1919 up to the assassination of socialist politician Giacomo Matteotti in 1924 and his speech in Parliament on 3 January 1925.