Puccini Opera Festival in Torre del Lago, Viareggio, Italy
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Staged in the open air, adjacent to Giacomo Puccini's house, the Festival Puccini was one of the last wishes of the composer and was first held in 1930, six years after his death.
Puccini made his home in Torre del Lago for over thirty years and built a villa by the side of the lake in 1900. After his death, a mausoleum was created in the grounds and the house was preserved as he left it. It's now open to the public and you can see the pianos on which he composed many of his best operas. His main reason for living here however was not the peace and quiet but the profusion of bird life, and he loved to take a boat out and hunt Snipe.
The lake is stunningly beautiful with views all the way to the leaning tower of Pisa and the new open-air theatre takes full advantage of its magnificent position and can seat 3,200 people.
Ticket prices start at a very reasonable 33€ and, since there are usually five or six operas in repertory, it's possible to see a different one every night. Recent performances have included Tosca, La Boheme and Madame Butterfly. Standards are high and many productions that have originated here have gone on to opera houses all over the world.
Useful links
Hotel Astor makes a comfortable base, by the sea.
Italian Tourist Board
Puccini Festival
Restaurant Chalet del Lago is a great place for pre-theatre meal.
Versilia Tourist Board
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