The images of twelve works from our museum will form the extraordinary installation of "Turandot" by Giacomo Puccini
The press conference for the presentation of the 98th Opera Festival of the Arena di Verona Foundation was held on May 25th in Verona.
The most meaningful aspect of the new edition of this historic festival is the involvement of some of the major national cultural institutions, famous in the world, which have been deeply affected by the pandemic. Each of them will in fact make a specific contribution within the dramaturgy of a work, in a balanced synthesis between the iconography, the technology of 400 square meters of LED wall, and the elements of the scenography that will characterize the individual performances.
Among these, the Museum of Chinese Art and Ethnography of Parma, which will contribute to the best preparation of Giacomo Puccini's "Turandot". The Museum is a treasure chest, not only for the discovery of treasures from distant eras and peoples, but also for meeting, research and dialogue with other cultures, a reality that has accepted the invitation of the Verona Arena, sharing its spirit of investigation and tension towards beauty. Chiara Allegri, vice-director of the Museum, shares: "During a joint work session between the staff of the Verona Arena and of the Chinese Museum, it was possible to select 12 artworks, which will be transposed in digital form at the Verona Arena, constituting the fundamental scenic element of 'Turandot'. They are extremely precious paintings representing the refined Chinese symbolism and, without a doubt, will create profound suggestions and evocations on stage.”
In addition to "Turandot", twinned with the Museum of Chinese Art and Ethnography, the other works scheduled for the Opera Festival will be in dialogue with the pieces of art of other cultural institutions of international prestige, such as the Vatican Apostolic Library, Fellini Museum of Rimini, Alinari Foundation for Photography, Uffizi Galleries, National Cinema Museum of Turin, Egyptian Museum of Turin, National Museum of Italian Judaism and the Shoah of Ferrara, Pompeii Archaeological Park, Valle dei Templi Archaeological and Landscape Park, archaeological site of Paestum.
Adds Father Alfredo Turco, Xaverian missionary and director of the Chinese Museum: "Who of us has not been moved by a work of art, has not connected with the deepest part of their soul upon listening a music piece, or has not allowed to touch the 'divine' within his/her heart by a theatrical performance? This collaboration of our museum with the Verona Arena is seen as a variety of aspects which arouses the soul of the viewer to deep feelings, hidden yet present, so that beauty finds space. Now more than ever we need beauty, in all its facets.”
On June 19, a great season will open in the Arena, a place and symbol of the restart after the dark season of the pandemic, under the banner of national excellence. Starting from the capacity, which is unique at national level, of 6 thousand seats granted by the authorities to the Arena Foundation: the largest open-air theater in the world.
The opening hours of the Museum of Chinese Art and Ethnography:
Tuesday to Saturday: from 9am to 1pm and from 3pm to 7pm
Sunday: from 11am to 1pm and from 3pm to 7pm
Admission: € 3 (standard), € 1,50 (under 18)
For reservations for guided tours:
