An opera journey: discovering the magical world of music

Behind the noise of everyday life and the busy rhythm of modern life, we often miss such beauty as opera.

Opera is considered to be a purely elite entertainment, or even a boring and uninteresting leisure activity. But let's look at this art form from a different angle, let's rediscover it and let's dive into the world of opera festivals.

Bregenzer Festspiele: a combination of art and engineering

Let's start in Austria, where the Bregenzer Festspiele, the unrivalled festival of opera on water, takes place every year. The stage in the middle of the waters of Lake Constance, the creative sets, the uniqueness of each production - all this joins engineering and artistry to mesmerise visitors from all over the world. And the 7,000 seats in the auditorium guarantee that many crazy ideas will be realised. It's clear to see why tickets are sometimes simply impossible to get - this festival is a real charmer.

Salzburg Festival: Devotion to Mozart's music

Salzburg, Mozart's hometown, is another place in Austria where music is heard at every turn.

TheSalzburg Festival is where the operas of this genius are performed - 22 of his works are staged here. The incredible number of performances (up to 200!) taking place on 12 stages in the city adds to the fabulousness and sense of festivity.

The atmosphere of the city at this time is incredible, with street musicians, friendly locals and the welcoming spirit of music filling every alleyway.

Bayreuth Festival: a tribute to Wagner

Finally, it is worth mentioning the Bayreuth Festival in Germany. Founded by Wagner in 1876, the festival has become a place of pilgrimage for classical music lovers. Wagner personally oversaw the design and construction of the Bayreuth Festspielhaus theatre, which included numerous architectural innovations to accommodate huge orchestras. Tickets for this annual festival, which has been considered elite for decades, sell out instantly.

Italian open-air theatre: Arena di Verona

No less attractive is another world-famous Italian festival, which traditionally takes place in Rome's amphitheatre, the Arena di Verona. This historic venue can seat up to 14,000 spectators and attracts up to 700,000 people during the season.

The Arena di Verona is not just a place where opera is performed, it is history within ancient stone walls. Visiting this place, you not only witness the sound of world classics, but also travel back in time, looking at one of the best monuments of ancient Roman architecture. The world's most famous operas take place here, from Nabucco and Troubadour to Aida, Carmen, Turandot and even the musical Notre Dame de Paris.

The arena is characterised by incredible acoustics that provide an exceptional opportunity for even the most distant spectators to enjoy a performance. Its huge open stage becomes the setting for extravagant and exceptional sets, epitomising art on a grand scale.

Opera Festival in France: Orange

TheRoman Amphitheatre in the French town of Orange is another amazing opera landscape. Set in a wall carved into the rock, this amphitheatre holds 7,000 seats and is one of the oldest theatres in the world, dating back to the first century AD.

Not only has it been preserved, it has been restored for modern performers and audiences while maintaining its historical value. This unique theatre is the venue for the annual musical opera festival, Choregia Orange. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the amphitheatre is a place where ancient magic and modern art combine.

Visitors can enjoy the unparalleled quality of sound that reflects off the huge ancient wall, feeling part of the musical symphony being played in the theatre space. At the same time, they can admire the beauty of classical antique architecture, with the colonnade and the statue of Apollo rising in the centre of the stage. These elements create an unforgettable experience, revealing to visitors the luxury of opera in all its grandeur and beauty.

Sydney Opera House

In Australia, the Sydney Opera House theatre with its famous 'sails' is one of the most famous buildings in the world. Opened in 1973, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. Its huge main auditorium can seat more than 5,500 people.

The theatre is the main stage for Opera Australia, the largest opera company in Australia, with over 600 performances a year.

Minack in Cornwall

Let's also think of the Minack Theatre in Cornwall, England. It is an outdoor theatre carved into the rock overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Since the place is remarkably beautiful, it has also become a popular venue for opera productions.

The story of Minack Theatre starts with a simple venue for a performance organised by Rowena Cade in 1932, which gradually developed into a recognisable landmark.

Festival in Ukraine

As far as Ukraine is concerned, the small town of Tulchin, in the Potocki Palace, hosts the annual International Opera Open Air Festival -"OPERAFEST TULCHYN".

The event is really interesting: world-famous opera masterpieces performed by soloists and choirs, orchestras and conductors from Austria, Germany, USA and Ukraine.

The venue also attracts attention: the French architect La Croix was responsible for the design of the palace, while the interior decoration was done by the Dutch "designer" Merckx.

High opera art, historical location and special atmosphere of the festival exceeded all expectations of the organisers. The festival is gradually gaining momentum, beginning to surround itself with loyal fans and promises a "cultural revolution".

Our journey to the world's most famous stages for opera may end here, but know that opera is alive and well in different parts of the world, from the most remote locales to the most modern metropolises.