July & August 2024

The Baths of Caracalla, one of Ancient Rome’s most dramatic sites, provides the backdrop for spectacular open-air opera productions in July and August. The baths date back to the 3rd century and were inaugurated during the reign of Marcus Aurelius, known as Caracalla. With an audience of 3,500, the performances today attract a wide array of Romans, opera lovers and curious visitors, and the artistic programme is under the supervision of the Teatro Dell’Opera di Roma. The first performance of opera here was given by a trio of musicians unequalled at the time: conductor Oliviero De Fabritis led the soprano Toti dal Monte and the tenor Beniamini Gigli to a stupendous performance of Donizetti’s opera ‘Lucia di Lammermoor’. In 2024 the festival celebrated the centenary of Puccini’s death with two great Puccini operas: ‘Turandot’ and ‘Tosca’.

Book a Kirker holiday to Rome this summer or next, and we would be delighted to arrange tickets for the performance of your choice. Choose from our range of 20 carefully-selected hotels in the city – from the 5* deluxe Hassler, with its famous open-air Palm Court, to the stylish new L’Orologio Roma or the Hotel Capo d’Africa, within walking distance from the Baths of Caracalla, both of which have wonderful rooftop terraces for the summer. Alternatively, stay at the Gran Melia Villa Agrippina in Trastevere, or the elegant Park Hotel Villa Grazioli, and enjoy extensive gardens and an outdoor swimming pool, perfect for the summer months.

THE OPERAS

Tosca by Puccini

5, 17, 24, 26 & 31 July; 3, 7 & 9 August

Originally set in Rome and premiered here at the Teatro Costanzi on 14 January 1900, Tosca opens on 5 July with the title role sung by Carmen Giannattasio (5, 17, 26 July; 3, 7 and 9 August) and Sonya Yoncheva (24 and 31 July), while Cavaradossi is Saimir Pirgu (5, 17, 26 July; 3, 7 and 9 August), Vittorio Grigolo (24 and 31 July) and Arsen Soghomonyan (26 July). In the role of Scarpia, there will be Claudio Sgura (5 July; 3, 7 and 9 August) and Roberto Frontali (17, 24, 26 and 31 July).

Turandot by Puccini

16, 25 & 28 July; 2, 4, 6 & 10 August

Turandot opens on 16 July with Angela Meade in the leading role (16, 25, 28 July; 2 and 4 August), who returns to the Teatro dell’Opera of Rome after the success of Ernani in 2022, and Lise Lindstrom who performs on 6, 8 and 10 August. Calaf will be sung by Luciano Ganci (16 July; 4, 6, 8 and 10 August), Brian Jagde (25, 28 July) and Arsen Soghomonyan (2 August); and in the role of Liù there are Maria Grazia Schiavo (16, 25, 28 July; 4 August) and Juliana Grigoryan (2, 6, 8 and 10 August). Orchestra and chorus of the Teatro dell’Opera of Rome. Conducted by Ciro Visco, with the participation of the “Scuola di Canto Corale”.

Prices start from £1,298 per person for a three-night short break, staying at the 4* superior Hotel Capo d’Africa, including flights, private car transfers, accommodation with breakfast, entrance tickets to the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel or the Borghese Gallery, Kirker Guide Notes to restaurants and sightseeing and the services of the Kirker Concierge, as well as tickets for one performance at the Baths of Caracalla.

Photo credits to Studio Fuksas, Fabrizio Sansoni, Yasuko Kageyama