Stresa Music Festival 2010

ROMANTICATOURS IS THE OFFICIAL PARTNER OF THE STRESA MUSIC FESTIVAL

The Settimane Musicali di Stresa e del Lago Maggiore are with no doubt among the best-known European classical music festivals, every year they offer to their audience performances by internationally famous artists.

In 20010 the Stresa Festival will inaugurate its 49th edition with the Spring Concerts, five open-air events entitled Flowery staves performed in the beautiful gardens of the lake.

Now the first previews about the 2010 Spring Concerts are available!

Saturday, May 8 – 5.00 p.m.
Villa Pallavicino – Stresa
R. Galliano, Love day
Richard Galliano, accordion
Gonzalo Rubalcaba, piano

Sunday, May 16 – 5 p.m.
Congress Hall – Stresa
Goran Bregovic & Wedding and Funeral Band

Saturday, May 22 – 5 p.m.
Congress Hall – Stresa
P. Glass, Koyaanisqatsi – Life out of balance
Philip Glass & Philip Glass Ensemble

And very soon news of all the 2010 Stresa Festival concerts:

Musical Meditations, from July 30 to August 7
Visions, from August 22 to September 5

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Rome escorted Cruiser Bike Tour

The Cruiser Bike Tour is the most appropriate to visit the entire historical center of Rome in less time then simply walking from the Colosseum to the Imperial Forums, from the Vatican City to the beautiful Piazza di Spagna and much more! Our Escorted Cruiser Bike Tours is very fun for the whole family, individual and groups who would like to discover Roma with an expert Tour Leader, so Enjoy Rome with us! Well be happy to offer a complementary bottle of water to refresh you during your bike tour.
Our knowledgeable Tour Leader with an audio guide MP3 player will share the diverse history of the area as you pedal along the historic center of Roma and you will be given the opportunity to take pictures.

FOR RESERVATIONS CLICK HERE

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Cheese and Wine Tasting in Florence

Gourmands and wine connoisseurs alike, lap up an afternoon in Florence tasting an assortment of cheeses and Tuscan favorites on this exclusive adult’s only food-lovers’ tour.

Set in a Florentine wine bar, this small group (maximum 12 people) offers the ideal opportunity to taste locally sourced cheeses accompanied by the many flavors of figs, truffle honey and aromatic strawberry vinegar.

With your distinguished sommelier to guide you, youll match four traditional Tuscan wines with a luscious spread of locally sourced produce. A sample tasting may include:

1 glass of white wine Vernaccia di San Gimignano accompanied by Brie and Acacia’s honey
1 glass of red wine Chianti colli Senesi DOCG accompanied by Pecorino di Fossa Cheese and strawberry aromatic vinegar
1 glass of red wine Brunello di Montalcino Tiezzi accompanied by Pecorino Cheese and figs
1 glass of red wine SuperTuscan Noir accompanied by fruits of the forest and goat cheese

It’s the ideal opportunity to lull away an afternoon in Florence, meet like-minded travelers and sip regional wines, while tales of cheese and Italian delicacies evoke and tantalize your taste buds!

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Arena di Verona: Musical Conversation and WINE TASTING

FOR RESERVATIONS CLICK HERE

You will have the opportunity to spend a stimulating afternoon in an intimate atmosphere exploring the world of musical drama and tasting prestigious local wines and appetizers chosen for the occasion

Anteprima Opera (Introduction to the Opera) is a pre-performance talk, whose aim is to introduce the audience to the plot and the main aspects of the opera event, which will take place on the same evening at the Arena amphitheatre.

We offers the guests the opportunity to spend a stimulating afternoon in an intimate atmosphere exploring the world of musical drama and tasting prestigious local wines and appetizers chosen for the occasion.

This is also the perfect occasion to meet the protagonists of the Arena di Verona Summer Opera Festival offering fascinating insights into the opera, which will be performed on the same evening.
The artists will sing accompanied by the piano and will guide the audience through the plot, the music and the composer’s life.

PROGRAM
Musical Conversation with Wine Tasting

18.15: Meeting at the Verità Poeta palace, in the city centre;
18.30: “Guided listening” of the Opera in program the same evening in the Arena, with piano, Maestro and Soloists;
19.15: “Wine tasting” of one of the best Doc wines presented by the wine Producer himself.
19.30: End of program.

Rate includes: entrance, libretto, musical conversation, talks in Italian with English and German translation. The buffet and the tickets for the opera are not included.
For the same event including the cocktail buffet, please click here.

ARENA VERONA CALENDAR

18 June – 1, 16, 24, 30 July – 13, 20 August
Turandot
di Giacomo Puccini

19, 25 June – 3, 8, 13, 18, 22, 25, 27, 31 July – 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 26, 29 August
Aida
di Giuseppe Verdi

26 June – 2, 9, 14, 17, 21, 28 July – 6 August
Madama Butterfly
di Giacomo Puccini

10, 15, 20, 23, 29 July – 12, 18, 21, 24, 27 August
Carmen
di Georges Bizet

7, 11, 14, 19, 25, 28 August
Il Trovatore
di Giuseppe Verdi

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Arena di Verona: Musical Conversation and COCKTAIL DINNER

FOR RESERVATIONS CLICK HERE

You will have the opportunity to spend a stimulating afternoon in an intimate atmosphere exploring the world of musical drama and tasting prestigious local wines and appetizers chosen for the occasion

Anteprima Opera (Introduction to the Opera) is a pre-performance talk, whose aim is to introduce the audience to the plot and the main aspects of the opera event, which will take place on the same evening at the Arena amphitheatre.

We offers the guests the opportunity to spend a stimulating afternoon in an intimate atmosphere exploring the world of musical drama and tasting prestigious local wines and appetizers chosen for the occasion. A

This is also the perfect occasion to meet the protagonists of the Arena di Verona Summer Opera Festival offering fascinating insights into the opera, which will be performed on the same evening.
The artists will sing accompanied by the piano and will guide the audience through the plot, the music and the composer’s life.

PROGRAM
Musical Conversation with Wine Tasting

Anteprima OPERA Musical Conversation with Wine Tasting and Typical Cocktail Buffet
18.15: Meeting at the Verità Poeta palace, in the city centre;
18.30: “Guided listening” of the Opera in program the same evening in the Arena, with piano, Maestro and Soloists;
19.15: “Wine tasting” of one of the best Doc wines presented by the wine Producer himself.
19.30: End of the first part. Those wishing to remain can attend the typical “Cocktail Buffet” with the best foods of Verona;
20.30: End of program. Stroll towards the Roman Arena;
21.00: Start of performance in the Arena

ARENA VERONA CALENDAR

18 June – 1, 16, 24, 30 July – 13, 20 August
Turandot
di Giacomo Puccini

19, 25 June – 3, 8, 13, 18, 22, 25, 27, 31 July – 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 26, 29 August
Aida
di Giuseppe Verdi

26 June – 2, 9, 14, 17, 21, 28 July – 6 August
Madama Butterfly
di Giacomo Puccini

10, 15, 20, 23, 29 July – 12, 18, 21, 24, 27 August
Carmen
di Georges Bizet

7, 11, 14, 19, 25, 28 August
Il Trovatore
di Giuseppe Verdi

Rate includes: entrance, libretto, musical conversation, talks in Italian with English and German translation, wine tasting and cocktail buffet.
Entrance tickets for the opera are not included.

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Concerts in Venice: Music at the Palace

Musica a Palazzo (Music at the Palace) wants to recreate teh magic of the ‘Salotto Musicale’ or ‘Mucial Parlour’: a piano, a few instruments and one or two singers who gave life to memorable evenings.

LA TRAVIATA
Tuesday – Thursday – Sunday
8.30PM – 2 hours
Act I: Salone delle Feste / Act II: Sala Tiepolo / Act III: Camera con Alcova Reale
Progressive opera: every act is in a different room

The Traviata is bases on the novel ‘La Dame aux Camelias’ by Alexandre Duma fils, published in 1848 telling the story of Marie Duplessis, a noted courtesan an idol of the 1840s’ Parisian society.
With La Traviata, Verdi created history’s first major opera dealing with a contemporary social theme. This was only one of the work’s several aspects that proved unpalatable for the audience at its premiere in Venice, in 1853: beyond that, the audience was similarly shocked by the principal part being assigned to a courtesan, and that moreover, she was portrayed as a heroine.
The premiere ended consequently by a fiasco, nonetheless, soon thereafter, Verdi’s La Traviata scored its first triumphsm, and ever since then has remained a hugely loved repertoire staple.
This production with its refined costumes offers exquisite moments of involvement with the viewing public while walking through the rooms and the ‘stanze di Traviata’.

DUETTI d’AMORE – LOVE DUETS
Monday -Friday
8.30PM – 1.5 hours
Act I: Sala Tiepolo / Act II: Camera con Alcova Reale
Progressive opera: every act is in a different room

Among the most beautiful voices in Italy interpret La Boheme, manon Lescaut, La Traviata and Cavallera Rusticana
Languid love and burning passion in the duets taken from Italian melodramas are exalted by the magnificient colours of the Tiepolo frescoes.
‘Intermezzo’ – Cavalleria Rusticana di Pietro Mascagni
‘Quando men vo’ – La Boheme di Giacomo Puccini
‘Liebesleid’ di Fritz Kreisler
‘Le Cygne’ di Camille Saint-Saens
‘Intermezzo’ – Manon Lescaut di Giacomo Puccini
‘Tace il labbro’ – La Vedova Allegra di Franz Lehar
‘Musica Proibita’ di Stanislao Gastaldon
‘Madamigella Valery’ – La Traviata di Giuseppe Verdi
‘Meditation’ – Thais di Jules Massenet
‘La ci darem la mano’ – Don Giovanni di W.A. Mozart

IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA
Wednesday – Saturday
8.30PM – 2.15 hours

Who hasn’t yet heard of Figaro, the famous barber of Seville?
When young Count Almaviva leaves Madrid for Seville to pursue the call of his heart, he not only leaves the court and his family but also the arranged marriage they would make for him. He woos his beloved in disguise to insure that if she will have him it will not be for his title or money, but because she loves him for himself.
By portraying the count’s title and wealth as an impediment to be disguised, Beaumarchais gave voice to the rising revolutionary tide of the 1780s which would soon swamp the once thriumphant Enlightenment and its decaving aristocracy. Similtaneously, his play heralded the beginning of the Romantic era and the rise of democracy.
His portrayal of the Count’s and Rosina’s happy union attacks the aristocracy by endorsing the idea that feelings not property are the desirable basis for marriage. It affirms that in feelings, particularly in love, we are all equal.
Staged amid the exquisite setting of paintings, furnishings and architectural details of the splendid Palazza Barbarigo-Monotto.
Extraordinary voices of virtuoso singers in an evening of sparkling gaiety.

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Monumental & Christian Rome Sightseeing Tour

Visit: SPANISH STEPS – TREVI FOUNTAIN – PANTHEON – NAVONA SQUARE – ST. PETER’S BASILICA – ST JOHN IN LATERAN – HOLY STAIRS – CATACOMBS – OLD APPIAN WAY – TOMB OF CECILIA METELLA.
Daily – (about 9 hours). Free pick-up service at hotels from 7:15/8:00AM approx.

Our tour will leave from Piazza San Bernardo, adorned by Moses’Fountain, heading to Piazza della Repubblica, previously known as “dell’Esedra” as its central area also called Esedra of the Diocletian Baths is hidden now by the Fountain of Naiadi.

We will continue towards Via Sistina where we’ll leave the bus to start our walking trough the ages, starting from the Spanish Steps and reaching Piazza di Spagna with the famous fountain “la Barcaccia” realized from Pietro Bernini.

Then the guided tour will lead you to the Trevi Fountain, a baroque jewel, and to the Pantheon (meaning “Temple of all the Gods”), a building in Rome which was originally built as a temple to the seven deities of the seven planets in the state religion of Ancient Rome. It is the best preserved of all Roman buildings, and perhaps the best preserved building of its age.

At the end of the tour we will finally reach the gorgeous Piazza Navona built on the ruins of the Domitian’s Circus adorned by the famous Fountain of the Four Rivers, masterpiece of Gian Lorenzo Bernini realized in 1651.
Tour will end reaching the church of St. Peter with a description of his marvellous square.

Lunch at a typical local restaurant

Leaving from Piazza San Bernardo, crossing Piazza della Repubblica, we will run along Via Nazionale to end up visiting the Basilica of St.Mary Major, built on the Esquiline Hill in 352 A.D.
The tour will then continue visiting the Basilica of St.John in Lateran, cathedral of Rome and of the world.
Hence, we will go to the Holy Stairs, climbed by Jesus Christ to reach Pilate’s Palace.

From here the tour will start again by coach, crossing Piazza San Giovanni and Via Latina. Skirting along the Mura Latine, the tour will pass through the Porta di San Sebastiano to arrive on the Ancient Appian Way, where we will find the Chapel of “Domine Quo Vadis”.

We arrive finally at the Catacombs of St.Callixtus, where the visit will take about 45 minutes (on Wednesdays the visit will be at the Catacombs of St.Domitilla).
On the way back, from the coach you will have a view of the Caracalla Baths.

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Ancient Rome Sightseeing Tour

VISIT: ROMAN FORUM, COLISSEUM, PALATIN HILL.

Daiy in the afternoon (about 3 hours).
Free pick-up service at hotels from 1:30pm to 2:30pm approx. From Nov. 1st to Feb. 28th departures will be 30 mins. earlier.
English guide

With this tour you will enjoy the splendour of the classic Roman Empire. Leaving Piazza San Bernardo, adorned by Moses’ Fountain, we will head to Piazza Venezia. Crossing the square we will admire on one side the Memorial to King Vittorio Emanuele II and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. After this ample view of an important part of the city, the guided tour will take you to visitthe Roman Forum, walking along the ancient pavement, which crosses the evocative ruins of the Roman Forum, the Curia, the Reggia.

You will then admire the Temple of Vesta, the Arch of Titus and the Arch of Costantine. The tour will continue with the visit of the massive structure of the Colosseum (internal visit). Originally named Flavian Amphitheatreit is a giant amphitheatre used gladiatorial contests and public spectacles. The amphitheatre, the largest ever built in the Roman Empire, was completed in 80 AD under Titus, with further modifications being made during Domitian’s reign. The excursion will go on visiting the Palatine Hill. The ancient “palatium”, historical residence of the Caesars, from whose name is derived the use of the term “Palace”, to indicate a seat of official power.

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PIEDMONT – Italy – Video

There are so many reasons to visit Turin (Torino), its Province and the Piemonte Region. Here a holiday becomes a sequence of trips: first through the hills of the Canavese, exploring castles and towers, sanctuaries and abbeys, royal residences and parks. Then through the Olympic Mountains, magnificent when covered in snow, amongst the ski resorts that hosted the 2006 Winter Olympics.
Then the Città di Charme (charming historical towns), on the path of colours and flavours, wandering amongst the precious vineyards of the Monferrato and the Langhe, skirting the lake district with its Sacri Monti (the mountain sanctuaries), purchasing some the many wonderful traditional luxuries offered by the region. Places, impressions and activities become experiences that will delight every visitor and where the only aim is to spoil yourself.

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Turin overview video

Turin (Torino), is the ideal holiday city for all ages, couples and families. Come and discover how easy it is to visit and to love, it has everything you could wish for and will reward you with its stirring settings and the opportunity to enjoy unforgettable experiences. Yes, because Turin (Torino) is both serious and playful, historical and natural, sober and worldly-wise, intellectual and eccentric: whether you want to walk or cycle, to be in the midst of greenery or to visit museums and exhibitions, to go shopping or live the night, your every wish will be met. Turin (Torino) is also one of the most accessible cities thanks to the structures and services designed to make outings easy for visitors with disabilities.

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