Lonatofestival 2000 Highlights Classical and Opera Performances

Although the weather conditions were not among the most favorable, the 2000 edition of the «Lonatofestival» managed to attract thousands of people to the historic sites of the beautiful town on the morainic hills of Garda.

This was also thanks to the rich program, which succeeded in satisfying both the most refined connoisseurs of classical music, fans of young music, and cabaret lovers.

Since the core of the Lonatofestival is primarily classical, both the inauguration and the closing were entrusted to high-quality concerts: thus, the notes of Handel’s «Messiah» opened the Lonato event, while the finale will feature Verdi’s «La Traviata».

The performance of «La Traviata»

The well-known and moving story of Violetta Valery and Alfredo Germont, composed by the Busseto-born composer, will be performed this Saturday at 9:30 PM in the stunning monumental setting of the Rocca Viscontea, which overlooks Lonato.

This is a full production with orchestra, chorus, soloists, sets, and costumes.

The role of Violetta will be entrusted to the Lonato soprano Donatella Gallerini, already appreciated in the festival’s opening «Messiah» and in sacred music concerts organized during the Jubilee year in the major churches of the Diocese, while Alfredo will be portrayed by the young Russian tenor Ruslan Zynevich, winner of the Tchaikovsky Prize in Moscow.

Germont senior will be played by Stefano Anselmi, celebrated Figaro in the 1999 production of «The Barber of Seville» in Lonato.

The orchestra is «Brixia in Jubilo», the chorus is «Coro Lirico Città di Brescia», and the staging is by Madrid’s Maria Heléna Mexia.

The conductor is Giovanna Sorbi.

Tickets cost 25,000 lire (flat seat). In case of rain, the opera will be performed at the Teatro Italia, also in Lonato.