Conducted by Pier Giorgio Morando, directed by Stephen Medcalf, with Daniela Dess and Fabio Ariliato.

Il Teatro Regio di Parma opens its season with Manon Lescaut by Puccini (13-23 Dec). This is another turning point thanks to the new superintendent Mauro Meli who seems to have great ideas and projects. Meli is the ex-superintendent of La Scala, who left the theatre in the wake of Mutis sudden resignation last year. In his new role, Meli presents a prestigious season, which could be compared with that of La Scala in the number of its titles and the quality of the performances. The first is a production of Manon Lescaut, with the celebrated duo Daniela Dess and Fabio Ariliato, who successfully performed the work in Seville in 2003. Pier Giorgio Morando is conductor and Stephen Medcalf is director. Paolo Di Nicola