The evocative panorama of the Verzura Theater of Spessa Castle is again this year the natural stage for the Piccolo Opera Festival’s top event: “Le Villi” by Giacomo Puccini, the debut opera of the composer from Lucca, whose death centenary falls this year.

His first work originated as an opera ballet, written shortly after he received his diploma in composition from the Milan Conservatory. The work immediately won him the attention of Publisher Ricordi and a contract to commission a second work.

The story of the Villi is inspired by a folk legend widespread throughout Europe, which in each tradition takes on different facets. The Villi are fantastic creatures of the woods, spirits of avenging women of love who torment the souls of unfaithful men with their sinuous dances until they lead them to their deaths.

The plot revolves around three characters: Anna, a young woman betrothed to Roberto, her unfaithful fiancé; next to them is Guglielmo, Anna’s father, who, in order to protect his daughter, invokes the vengeance of the villi.

A two-act opera, full of magical and metaphysical suggestions that well reflect the theme of the 2024 edition of the Festival, “Le Villi” highlights some of the distinctive elements of Puccini’s style, such as his ability for dense melodic constructions of sure emotional impact and his dramatic use of orchestral instrumentation. An early work that shows early on the promise of the talent that would later make Puccini one of the greatest opera composers of all time.

Bing Bing Wang Anna

Hayk Vardanyan Roberto

Andrea Borghini Guglielmo Wulf

Igor Pison Stage Director

Camilla Isola Choreographer

Ilaria Papis Costumes

Paolo Vitale Scenes and lighting

Elia Macrì Choirmaster

Hirofumi Yoshida Music director

Go! Borderless Orchestra & Choir

Ballet company: Luana Pignato, Eva Tomat, Afra Pieri, Mattia Lautieri, Benedetta Agostinis, Giovanna Zanchetta, Sara Augieras

New production by the Piccolo Opera Festival

Full ticket Gold € 45 / Silver € 30 | Reduced ticket Gold € 36 / Silver € 24

Special Residents Collio/Brda* Gold € 20 / Silver € 12

In case of adverse weather: Kulturni Center Lojze Bratuž (Gorizia)

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