A night at the Opera

How lovely! This from Bucharest Herald:

Verdi at Bucharest National Opera in January

  Giuseppe Verdi, who died 110 years ago on January 27, will be celebrated by the Bucharest National Opera (ONB) with four performances based on the composer's works. The series of operas dedicated to Verdi opened on Saturday with 'Rigoletto,' with special guest tenor Robert Nagy as the Duke.

On January 16, ONB scheduled one of the newest titles in its repertoire: "I due Foscari,"a lyrical tragedy written by Verdi with libretto by Francesco Maria Piave, based on George Gordon Byron's play. The work was performed in Romania for the first time in April 2010, in ONB's Yellow Foyer, as part of the piano concerto variant. Now, the audience has a chance to watch the composition performed as an opera in the ONB's grand hall.

On January 20, one of the most popular operas will once again come to life on the stage of the Bucharest National Opera: "La Traviata" will have a cast of young valuable artists of ONB, under the musical direction of Vlad Conta.

Another famous work by Verdi, "Nabucco" will be staged on January 22, in an anniversary performance dedicated to bass Pompeiu Harasteanu, an artist who deeply marked the history of the National Operaconducted by Iurie Florea.

The series of performances dedicated to Verdi will end on January 28 with another staging of "I due Foscari." On the occasion, the audience will enjoy the performance of another special guest: internationally acclaimed baritone Eduard Tumagian, in the role of Francesco Foscari.

Verdi (October 10, 1813 - January 27, 1901) bequeathed an unmatched creation that gathers the most popular and appreciated opera titles such as "La Traviata," "Il Trovatore," "Rigoletto," "Nabucco" and "Aida."