The operas this year are all by Italy’s most famous nineteenth-century composers. Three operas that are sure to attract fans and the many tourists in Rome.

First, a new staging of Verdi’s Nabucco by Federico Grazzini, a young director with an already interesting curriculum vitae. This will be the first time he has worked with the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma. As well as providing a rare opportunity for an emerging artist, this decision is also a clear indication of the Theatre’s interest in young talents (as is amply demonstrated by the “Fabbrica” Young Artist Programme, recently presented to the press and now well underway). The Teatro dell’Opera Orchestra will be conducted by John Fiore and, on the last night, by Carlo Donadio. There will be seven performances of Nabucco, during the period 9 July to 9 August.

“Rossini in Rome – 200 years”, a show that enjoyed great success in Summer 2014 returns to Caracalla on 18 July (with five repeat performances, the last being on Wednesday, 10 August): The Barber of Seville directed by Lorenzo Mariani, with a Hollywood musical setting and reminiscent of the silent films of the Twenties and Thirties. Conducted by Yves Abel, it will star, among others, Teresa Iervolino, Mikhail Korobeinikov and Eleonora de la Peña, three much applauded artistes at the recent edition in February at the Teatro Costanzi.

The third opera this season will be Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. Again conducted by Yves Abel, it will be directed by Àlex Ollé de la Fura dels Baus. This opera captivated audiences last summer with its fantastic Far East setting and very evocative props and scenery. Returning in the role of Cio Cio San, the Lithuanian soprano Asmik Grigorian.