For my 15th edition of the Arena di Verona Festival—and to wrap up the weekend beautifully after the rain cancellation of Aida (which stopped after just 50 minutes)—I was lucky enough to attend a production I deeply love: La Traviata, performed on Saturday, August 2nd.

The night was set to be epic, with Nadine Sierra announced as Violetta, alongside Ludovic Tézier—the best Germont père of our time—and tenor Gaelano Salas as his on-stage son. Unfortunately, just a few days before the performance, Nadine Sierra’s name disappeared from the festival’s website, leaving a mysterious blank. Her replacement, Gilda Fiume, was announced shortly before the show—a tough task considering she had to step in for one of, if not the, greatest sopranos of our time, and in front of… a SOLD OUT Arena.

This season hasn’t just been full of big names—it’s also, I believe, the year that Verona packed its arena more than ever. Alongside La Traviata, the 2025 lineup included the most famous operas in the world (Aida, Carmen, Rigoletto), which surely helped attract such huge crowds. That said, I do hope next year brings more variety in the repertoire. I still dream of the triumphant return of La Forza del Destino to what I consider the best opera festival in the world.

Last night belonged, without question, to Ludovic Tézier, who once again demonstrated his immense talent, generosity, and depth of character in the role of Giorgio Germont. Opposite him, Gaelano Salas delivered a performance that completely stunned me. It wasn’t my first time hearing the Mexican tenor live, but it was the first time I saw him in a role I know inside and out—and it was, without a doubt, the biggest surprise of my 2025 festival experience. His voice was strong and clear, his high notes well-placed, and the emotion he brought to the duets and Act II drama was genuinely moving.

The conductor of the evening, Francesco Ommassini, gave us a traditional reading—fairly dynamic in Act I, but lacking the intensity and color needed in Acts II and III. As the Artistic Secretary of the festival, his presence on the podium was likely no accident, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him leading more productions in the years to come.

As always, the organization at the Arena was top-notch. From the moment I arrived at the ticket office to the very last applause, everything ran smoothly. That said, and I say this as someone who goes out of their way to not disturb others during performances—too many people were filming, with full brightness screens, throughout the opera. A few years ago, the staff would have intervened, ensuring an immersive experience for everyone. Now, it seems like no one really says anything. A pity.

Nevertheless, Verona was, is, and will always be THE festival to attend in the summer. Whether you’re a hardcore opera lover, a curious newcomer, or just someone looking to feel something big—it doesn’t get more Italian, more operatic, more magical than Arena di Verona.

CAST

Violetta Valéry

Gilda Fiume 

Flora Bervoix

Sofia Koberidze

Annina

Francesca Maionchi

Alfredo Germont

Galeano Salas 

Giorgio Germont

Ludovic Tézier

Gastone Visconte di Letorières

Matteo Macchioni 

Il Barone Douphol

Gabriele Sagona

Il Marchese d’Obigny

Jan Antem

Il Dottore Grenvil

Gabriele Sagona

Un Domestico di Flora/ Un Commissionario

Hidenori Inoue

Giuseppe

Francesco Cuccia