Celebrate World Opera Day

World Opera Day is celebrated on 25 October, the birthday of Georges Bizet and Johann Strauss II, composers of possibly the world’s most famous opera and operetta. It is a day when opera companies, along with artists, opera lovers and opera professionals may show and celebrate the value of the art form.

This year we celebrate the recognition of the Art of Italian Singing at the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity with Benvenuti all’Opera - Welcome to Opera!

To mark the centenary of the death of Puccini ( Protected content ), La Scala’s programming for this season includes the composer’s last opera, Turandot, which had its world premiere at La Scala in Milan in Protected content . This new production, directed by Davide Livermore, who is renowned for his innovative staging, features a first-rate cast starring Anna Netrebko in the title role, conducted by Michele Gamba.

Set in an imaginary China, Turandot tells the story of a princess whose beauty is matched only by her cruelty. She submits three riddles to her suitors, who flock from all over the world in the hope of marrying her. Only the one who can solve all three riddles will win her hand in marriage. Those who fail will be condemned to death and be beheaded. Calaf – the son of the King of Tartary – falls under the spell of the cruel princess. Will he be able to rise to the challenge?