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La Fenice in Venice is one of the world’s most historic opera houses. Inaugurated in 1792 the opera house has, like its namesake the phoenix, been destroyed by fire and rebuilt, both in 1836 and 1996. The latest exquisitely restored La Fenice opened its doors in 2003. Along with the Teatro San Carlo in Naples and La Scala, Milan, La Fenice has always been one of the top three opera houses in Italy. During the 19th century many operas were first performed at La Fenice, including two of Verdi’s greatest and most popular works, ‘La traviata’ and ‘Rigoletto.’ Tickets for one performance is included, as are several walking tours and accommodation in one of Kirker's favourite hotels.
There will be a selection of carefully planned walking tours to some of the city’s churches and galleries. At the Accademia, the ‘National Gallery of Venice’, we see works by the most important Venetian artists from the 14th to the 17th centuries and the more modern Peggy Guggenheim collection at the palazzo overlooking the Grand Canal where she lived. Visits to the jewel-like Santa Maria Miracoli, to Santa Maria della Salute, Santi Paolo e Giovanni, Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, and to Carpaccio’s fabulous cycle of the story of St. George in the Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni will all be included. There will be free time each afternoon for independent exploration during which you can use your included Venice pass to visit the Palazzo Ducale, the Museo Correr and the Archaelogical Museum.
We stay at the 4* deluxe Monaco & Grand Canal, one of Venice’s most famous hotels. Located just 50 yards from St. Mark’s Square, the entrance leads into a stylish lobby from where a grand staircase takes you up to the beautiful restored 18th century former Venetian theatre, complete with original fresco ceilings. The 92 bedrooms have recently been renovated and breakfast and dinner are served in the hotel’s canalside restaurant or on the terrace in fine weather.
...when you travel with Kirker
Flights with British Airways:
2023
Depart London Heathrow 12.55 arrive Venice 16.10
Depart Venice 16.05 arrive London Heathrow 17.20
2024
Depart London Heathrow 13.05 arrive Venice 16.20
Depart Venice 12.45 arrive London Heathrow 14.20
The Monaco is one of Venice’s most famous hotels. The entrance leads into a stylish lobby from where a grand staircase takes you up to the beautifully restored 18th century former Venetian theatre, complete with original fresco ceilings.
Charlie Hall has known Italy intimately since 1965 when his father set up the excellent John Hall Venice course for gap year students who wish to become enlightened by many aspects of Venetian and Italian culture.
He now runs the programme with his father and spends almost half of the year working in Italy. He has designed courses for the Christie's Education 'Collecting and Great Collections’ programmes and the Serpentine Gallery ‘Collectors Circle’ as well as for The Soho House group of members’ clubs. Charlie has now led many Italian tours for Kirker, to destinations including Rome, Florence and Venice, and has proved to be very popular with our clients.
A wonderful Venetian weekend for opera lovers with two works by Verdi, made even more special by their close associations with the city.
I due Foscari (10 October 2023)
First performance given at the Teatro Argentina, Rome on 3 November 1844.
Francesco Foscari: Luca Salsi
Jacopo Foscari: Francesco Meli
Lucrezia ContariniL Anastasia Bartoli
Loredano: Riccardo Fassi
Francesco Foscari (1373-1457) was the longest reigning Doge in the history of the Venetian Republic. The opera is based on Lord Byron’s play The Two Foscari which paints the family in such an unflattering light that when Verdi finally settled on the play as his next subject, the premiere was not given in Venice for fear of drastic censorship but in Rome.
La traviata (11 October 2023)
First performed at La Fenice, Venice on 6 March 1853.
Violetta: Rosa Feola
Alfredo Germont: Piero Pretti
Giorgio Germont: Gabriele Viviani
Robert Carsen’s much loved production is a permanent fixture at La Fenice and is equally admired for Patrick Kinmonth’s designs and costumes. If you’ve ever wondered what happens to her loyal servant, Annina at the end of the opera, Robert Carsen provides a telling and heart warming clue.
You have a choice of two operas. If you would like to attend the second performance, tickets cost £215.
A wonderful pairing of two of the most popular operas performed on consecutive evenings. Adolfo Corrado, unanimous winner in Cardiff at the 2023 BBC Singer competition begins his conquest of the opera world singing the role of Colline.
La boheme by Puccini (6 February)
Conductor: Stefano Ranzoni
Mimi: Claudia Pavone
Rodolfo: Celso Abelo
Musetta: Miriam Battistelli
Colline: Adolfo Corrado
Il barbiere di Siviglia by Rossini (7 February)
Conductor: Renato Palumbo
Rosin: Marina Comparato
Figaro: Alessandro Luongo
Dr Bartolo: Omar Montanari
You have a choice of two operas. If you would like to attend the second performance, tickets cost £215.
Turandot by Puccini (18 September)
It’s always a pleasure to enjoy Puccini’s last opera in a more intimate setting, where the characters take on more human dimensions than when than when it’s performed in larger theatre.
Conductor: Francesco Ivan Ciampa
Turandot: Jose Maria Siri
Calaf: Fabio Sartori
Liu: Selene Zanetti
The Tour Leader was extremely helpful & knowledgeable about the places we visited. Indeed she made our holiday very special. We really cannot fault Kirker in your management or organisation. Well done!
View DetailsHaving visited Venice before, I already had some knowledge but Louisa Warman was outstanding and the visits to La Fenice have fulfilled a long held ambition. The Hotel Moncao & Grand Canal is in the perfect situation. We loved it all!
View DetailsAll so civilised and relaxed. Just the tonic needed. What a nice surprise the welcome bottle in one’s room, many thanks. Liked the tour leader’s leisurely approach. Very informative – I will look at church paintings with different eyes now. It was good to see old masters and contemporary paintings.
View DetailsMy first visit to Venice and it was brilliant - the hotel couldn't have been in a better location, the itinerary was well chosen and very interesting and Siân Walters a knowledgeable and friendly tour leader.
View Details
Tour Leader
Charlie Hall has known Italy intimately since 1965 when his father set up the excellent John Hall Venice course for gap year students who wish to become enlightened by many aspects of Venetian and Italian culture.
He now runs the programme with his father and spends almost half of the year working in Italy. He has designed courses for the Christie's Education 'Collecting and Great Collections’ programmes and the Serpentine Gallery ‘Collectors Circle’ as well as for The Soho House group of members’ clubs. Charlie has now led many Italian tours for Kirker, to destinations including Rome, Florence and Venice, and has proved to be very popular with our clients.
The Tour Leader was extremely helpful & knowledgeable about the places we visited. Indeed she made our holiday very special. We really cannot fault Kirker in your management or organisation. Well done!
Our expert reservations team regularly travel to a wide range of destinations to explore new cities, visit hotels and to research museums, galleries and restaurants so that we can offer the most up-to-date advice and recommendations.
