3 July-12 Aug 2004. Verdi is the theme of this years summer opera season, which is back at the Baths of Caracalla. It opens with Verdis magnificent Requiem Mass played by the Orchestra del Teatro dellOpera conducted by Gianluigi Gelmetti (3 July). Nabucco and Il Trovatore follow, interspersed with the theatres recent ballet production of Swan Lake.

The programme is a clear homage to Giuseppe Verdi, who this year was somewhat overshadowed in the theatres programme by other composers, particularly those of Germanic origin. This all-out Verdi festival will open with a one-off performane of the Requiem Mass (3 July), conducted by Gianluigi Gelmetti, with the soloists Carla Maria Izzo, Daniela Barcellona, Vittorio Grigolo and Roberto Scandiuzzi. This will be followed by a new staging of Nabucco (13-18 July), starring Alberto Gazale and conducted by Nello Santi: two names that have often appeared in Rome together in recent times. In fact, only a few days ago, they were working together on another Verdi production, Don Carlo. The last title on the programme is Il Trovatore (27 July-1 Aug). The only well-known name on the cast is Alberto Gazale; all of the others will be making their first performance to the Rome public. Leading the performance will be Alain Lombard. Paolo Di Nicola