The prestigious lyrical festival of the theaters of stone, artistically directed by Francesco Costa and promoted by the Sicilian opera choir, confirms evening after evening to have the caliber of a summer review of international importance, with over 40 dates scheduled and all in the name of excellence.
After the suggestive inauguration at the Argimusco plateau, the artistic and musical event, which will end on September 20 at the Teatro Antico in Catania, continues to cross the theaters of the Roman Greek antiquity of Sicily, establishing itself as the reference season of Sicily and the Mediterranean, recording an unprecedented influx in the cultural and musical history of island archaeological sites this year. In fact, repeated and continuously sold out and ovations are, in fact, by chanting the very dense calendar of the event, which between classic and contaminations, lyric and symphonic is flooding amazement of Attic beauty sites for a real rediscovery and enhancement of a territory and an identity that is living and present history.
Suffice it to remember the triumph of Aida in the ancient theaters of Syracuse, Taormina and Tindari, with over 10,000 spectators and a memorable production for the excellent musical execution of the masterpiece and the sumptuous scenic set -up. And the enthralling tribute to the fifth anniversary of Ennio Morricone’s death: a tribute that started from the three caves now mentioned to make the peripal of the island. Delirium audience in Selinunte and Taormina also for the Carmina Burana di Orff, for the first time in Sicily in stage form. Nor can we keep silent about the important cultural operation that reported the lyrical work at the Lombardy Castle of Enna after decades, sold out for the exciting representation of Cavalry Rusticana. A success repeated at the Antico Theater in Taormina, where Mascagni’s masterpiece was combined with the overwhelming Boléro of Ravel.
Among the stages of the event, after the Greek theater of Syracuse and Tindari, the ancient theater of Taormina stands out which hosted 5 evenings – all sold out – totaling a part of about 20,000 spectators. An announced success that amplifies that of previous editions.
In fact, the impact of the festival is noteworthy, which is confirmed not only of the highest artistic profile, but at the same time engine of cultural and tourist enhancement. Most of the events have, in fact, recorded well in advance all sold out, confirming the wide response of residents and tourists. The turnout also generated an important economic induced for the territory, with a positive return to accommodation facilities, catering and tourist services.
All this translates into a cultural meaning. On a philological level, the unprecedented critical edition of Aida represented a unique event worldwide, with a repechage of great importance. In terms of accessibility and inclusion, the simultaneous translation in the language of the Italian signs (LIS), thanks to the collaboration with the “Sicily, tourism for all” association, has also opened the doors of the work also to spectators with auditory disabilities, confirming the social vocation of the Festival. To highlight the search for a main scenic identity, in which dance, music, choreography and architecture merge, offering exciting, immersive and innovative shows.
The Festival continues with further expected appointments. Already on 28 and 29 August there will be two days entirely dedicated to Ennio Morricone in the majesty of the Temple of Hera di Selinunte. On August 31, at 7 pm, suspended on the waters of the Saline Genna of Marsala, mirroring itself on the white of the expanses of the salt of the Stagnone Natural Reserve, against the background of the dancing Egadi, will be triggered to the eternal thanks to the new concert format that will feature the orchestral report in residence of the festival together with the vocal ensemble of the Sicilian opera chorus, with the direction of Francesco Costa, the immense artistic legacy of the Etneo Battiato with the Mediterranean voice of Rita Botto and the accurate and intimate interpretation of Mario Venuti; On September 5 in Trapani a further tribute to Morricone and on 14 September in Pozzallo he will praise Battiato’s “celestial mechanics”. Great closure on September 20 at the Antico Theater in Catania with a double celebration for the 150th anniversary of the death of Georges Bizet and the first representation of his most famous work, Carmen, with the participation of an authentic star of the world opera scene, the Georgian mezzosoprano Anita Rachvelishvili.