Great Compositions by Puccini, Verdi, and Donizetti on the Bucharest National Opera Stage, January 13-19, 2025

Between January 13-19, 2025, the Bucharest National Opera will showcase beloved operatic masterpieces, including Tosca by Giacomo Puccini (January 16), The Elixir of Love by Gaetano Donizetti (January 17), La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini (January 18), and Il Trovatore by Giuseppe Verdi (January 19).

Tosca (by Giacomo Puccini) – Thursday, January 16, 6:30 PM

Set in the year 1800, against the backdrop of intricate European political realities in the stunning cultural space of Italy, Tosca portrays the dramatic love story of Floria Tosca, a renowned opera diva, and Cavaradossi, a talented painter. The opera holds a special place in Romanian operatic history, as the role of Floria Tosca was created for legendary Romanian soprano Hariclea Darclée, who performed it at its world premiere in Rome on January 14, 1900. The iconic aria Vissi d’arte was added to the score at Darclée’s suggestion, further solidifying its historical significance.

The Elixir of Love (by Gaetano Donizetti) – Friday, January 17, 6:30 PM

A quintessential comic opera (opera buffa), The Elixir of Love is one of Donizetti’s masterpieces. Its delightful score combines humor and sentiment, charming audiences with pieces like Nemorino’s Quanto è bella and Dulcamara’s playful introduction Udite, udite in Act I, as well as the famous Una furtiva lagrima in Act II.

La Bohème (by Giacomo Puccini) – Saturday, January 18, 6:30 PM

Relive the magic of 19th-century Paris during Christmas in the Latin Quarter, brought to life by Puccini’s masterpiece La Bohème. Set amidst street vendors, the bustling Café Momus, and the struggles of young artists in a cold, dimly lit attic, the opera beautifully captures themes of love, creativity, and the bittersweet realities of life.

Il Trovatore (by Giuseppe Verdi) – Sunday, January 19, 6:30 PM

Few operas boast as many iconic arias as Verdi’s Il Trovatore. Set in 15th-century Spain, the story revolves around the complicated relationships between Count Alvaro de Luna, troubadour Manrico, and Countess Leonora. With a libretto inspired by Antonio Garcia Gutiérrez’s tragedy El Trovador, the opera unfolds a gripping tale of love, jealousy, and rivalry, culminating in unforgettable dramatic intensity.

Tickets are available at tickets.operanb.ro and the Bucharest National Opera Box Office.