AriaLogo 8010050 - Aria Tours · The Semperoper Dresden is an uninhibitedly grand structure which looms over the vast Theaterplatz. The first Semperoper, built by Gottfried Semper

2018

The Semperoper Dresden is anuninhibitedly grand structurewhich looms over the vastTheaterplatz. The first Semperoper,built by Gottfried Semper himself,was begun in 1838 and finished in1841. Several renovations later (in1871, 1952, 1956, 1977 and 1985), afew sculptures from the firstSemperoper can still be seen,decorating the façade.

The real treasures of the place,however, are its acoustics and theparticular relationship between thepit and the stage. The pit is quitelarge and extends into the Parkettmore than many, so that theconductor has an excellent sightlineto the stage and the singers to him.The sound is clear and direct, as itshould be in an opera house, wherewords are sung—but it has a rich,warm glow as well, which suits theDresdener Staatskapelle andWagner’s Ring just perfectly.

Director Willy Decker places thebattle for the power of the ringwithin a theatre, which becomesthe backdrop for the demise of thegods and the rise of man. The

relatively simple sets are anadvantage, allowing Decker toconcentrate (successfully) on thelanguage and on the dramaticinteraction of the characters.

In Dresden, one of the mostbeautiful cities in Germany, ourbase is the spectacular HotelTaschenbergpalais Kempinski.Here, in addition to the Ring, wetour the most important sites,including the Frauenkirche, GreenVault and Zwinger Palace.

Mid-tour, we sojourn to Berlin, thecosmopolitan and creativemetropolis at the heart of achanging Europe. Twoperformances await us here, withaccommodation at the elegantHotel Regent.

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PO BOX 159, 122B BRIDGE ST., ALMONTE, ONTARIO, CANADA K0A 1A0

TEL.: 866.686.1288 • FAX: 613.461.1299 • [email protected] • www.ariatours.com• • •

Christian Thielemann leads the Staatskapelle Dresden, whomWagner called his “miraculous harp,” in this Willy Deckerproduction of Der Ring des Nibelungen (Albert Dohmen, PetraLang, Christa Mayer, Andreas Schager, Gerhard Siegel). InBerlin, we take in a lunchtime concert at the Philharmonie and weattend La bohème at the Staatsoper Berlin.

JANUARY 11 - 21, 2018

THE DRESDEN RING& BERLIN

TOUR INCLUDES

• Top Category seats for all performances as listed

• 9 nights deluxe accommodation (6 at the Taschenbergpalais Kempinski Dresden, 3 at the Hotel Regent Berlin)

• Full breakfast daily, 3 lunches, 6 dinners and 1 reception

• Private tours as listed• Airport-hotel transfers• On-site Tour Direction• Comprehensive Tour Guidebook

Cost: $9995 USDSingle supplement: $1350 USDDeposit: $3000 USDBalance due: October 11, 2017

Tour Flights: Ideally, return flightsshould be booked to arrive inDresden early afternoon on January12 with departure on the morningof January 21.

Transfers: We provide airport/railstation—hotel transfers on publishedarrival and departure days only. Forarrivals/departures on days otherthan published tour dates, wesuggest taxis or contacting the hotelto make arrangements. We alsoprovide transfers for group mealsand performances that are beyonda 10 minute walk.

Mobility: As for all of our tours, weare happy to accommodate youregardless of your mobility level.Please make clear your mobilityconcerns at the time of registration.

Insurance: We strongly recommendthat all tour members purchasecancellation insurance uponregistration. We can assist you withthis, though you are welcome topurchase a policy at your owndiscretion.

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Thursday, January 11Departures from your country ofresidence (for overnight flights).

Friday, January 12Arrival in Dresden and transfer(included) to the luxurious 5-starHotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski.This evening we meet for a cocktailreception prior to our WelcomeDinner in the hotel’s Palais Bistro.The menu offers authentic FrenchCuisine, served with the flair of areal French bistro.

Saturday, January 13Following breakfast (included eachday) we meet for a guided walkingtour of the most significant pointsof interest in the Old Town,including the stunningFrauenkirche. Early evening wehear Das Rheingold (Kowaljow,Welton, Akzeybek, Streit) at therenowned Semperoper. Dinner isincluded at Wenzel, following theperformance.

Sunday, January 14Late morning, we transfer to theRezidenzschloss to view theexcellent collection, including thefamous Green Vault. After lunch atleisure, we depart for Die Walküre(Lang, Seifert, Zepenfeld, Kohl) atthe Semperoper. Dinner isincluded afterward at PfundsMolkerei.

Monday, January 15Today we depart for Berlin,stopping in Potsdam to visitSanssouci and the CecilienhofPalace. After lunch (included), wearrive at the elegant Hotel RegentBerlin, ideally located near theGendarmenmarkt and MuseumIsland.

Tuesday, January 16This morning we embark by coachon a local highlights tour. Earlyafternoon we attend a concert atthe Philharmonie (1pm). Dinnertonight is included at Dóttir.

Wednesday, January 17Today we tour through the oldestpart of the city, the Nikolaiviertel,to 'Museums Island' for guidedtours at the Pergamon Museum,home to one of the world's finestcollections of Near Easternantiquities, and the Alte National-galerie, with its superb collectionof 19th century European paintings.Lunch is included at the historicLutter & Wegner following ourtour. This evening we attend Labohème at the Staatsoper Berlin.

Thursday, January 18This morning we return toDresden, touring some of Berlin'smost significant points of interestby coach along the way. Uponarrival in Dresden, a late lunch isincluded in the hotel’s Restaurant

Intermezzo. Early evening wedepart for the Semperopr and takeour seats for Siegfried (Schager,Siegel, Lang, Dohmen).

Friday, January 19Today we tour the Zwinger Palace,one of the most famous baroquebuildings in Germany. It was builtin 1709, during the reign ofAugustus the Strong. It wasoriginally an open area surroundedby wooden buildings which wasused by the Saxon nobility fortournaments and other courtlypursuits. We see, amongst othersites in the Palace, the Old MastersPainting Gallery. This evening weenjoy dinner at Alte Meister, acharming French Pavillon, whichserves as a café in the daytime anda lounge in the evenings.

Saturday, January 20Enjoy the final morning at leisure.Mid-afternoon we make our wayto the Semperoper for our finalperformance, Götterdämmerung(Dohmen, Pesendorfer, Schager,Lang). Following the performancewe enjoy a special Farewell Dinner.

Sunday, January 21Airport transfers are included, andwill be arranged on-site.

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MARCH 8 - 17, 2018TOUR INCLUDES


• 8 nights accommodation at the5-star Palace Hotel Tokyo withDeluxe Balcony rooms

• Full breakfast daily, 4 lunches, 4 dinners and 2 receptions

• Private touring and informal musical discussions with internationally recognized music critic and local expert Robert Markow

• Airport-hotel transfers• On-site Tour Direction• Comprehensive Tour Guidebook

Cost: $9895 USDSingle supplement: $2000 USDDeposit: $3000 USDBalance due: December 8, 2017

Tour Flights: Ideally, return flightsshould be booked to arrive atHaneda Airport in Tokyo earlyafternoon on March 9 withdeparture the morning of March 17.Transfers are included for NaritaInternational Airport as well.




Our tour will be accompanied by Robert Markow, an internationallyknown music critic who has personally selected a rich and variedmusical program for us. Performances include Les contesd’Hoffman, L’elisir d’amore, and concerts at Suntory and OrchardHalls with works by Mendelssohn, Rachmaninoff, Chopin and more.Touring includes Kawagoe, Kamakura, Kyoto and Ueno Park.

Tokyo is a giant – “a concrete, steeland neon sprawl stretching almostto infinity” as one writer put it. Justthe central core alone is inhabitedby 13 million people. The entiremetropolitan area, the largest in theworld, eats up nearly 850 squaremiles with 23 wards in the core, 27smaller cities, 14 towns and 27,000islands with a combinedpopulation of over 35 million.

Tokyo roars 24/7. But it also hasnumerous exquisitely designedgardens – true oases of peace andtranquility. It has hundreds ofBuddhist temples and Shintoshrines, a deep reverence for thepast, a culinary tradition sans pareil,and a highly developed sensitivityto the arts.

And the MUSIC!! Some 4,000events a year given in 180 halls.Eight full-time professionalsymphony orchestras and severaldozen opera companies large andsmall contribute to the plethora ofconcerts. This is Tokyo!

March is a pleasant time to be inJapan—temperatures in the mid-50s with relatively low rainfall.

Those wishing to indulge furtherare welcome to extend their tripwith stays in Osaka or elsewhere,and we can assist with thesearrangements.

Join us for a rare opportunity toexperience the excitement of one ofthe world’s great cities.

TOKYO

5-star Palace Hotel Tokyo

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Thursday, March 8Departures from your country ofresidence (for overnight flights).

Friday, March 9Upon arrival in Tokyo (HanedaAirport if possible), you will bemet and transferred to the 5-starPalace Hotel Tokyo. Set in theheart of Tokyo’s business districtwith views of the Imperial Palacegardens, Palace Hotel Tokyo’slocation is unbeatable. Heir tosome of the city’s most exclusivereal estate, Palace Hotel Tokyo re-opened in May 2012 on a stunning,moat-side setting in Marunouchi.The hotel features multiplerestaurants and bars and Japan’svery first Evian Spa. The evening isat leisure to recover from the longflight. You will be given a dinnercredit at any one of the hotel’srestaurants and lounges for dinnerat your leisure.

Saturday, March 10After breakfast (included each day),we meet for a brief orientation tour.Late afternoon we take our seats atthe New National Theatre for Lescontes d’Hoffman, with DmitryKorchak in the title role. Dinner isincluded prior to the performance.

Sunday, March 11Late morning we embark on aguided tour of some of Tokyo’slandmark sites, including TokyoTower, the Asakusa Kannon

Temple, the skyscrapers ofShinjuku, Ginza, TokyoInternational Forum and theImperial Palace Gardens. Lunch isincluded. We return to the hotel intime for a rest and dinner on yourown before going to our firstconcert at Orchard Hall: The TokyoPhilharmonic Orchestra (one ofJapan’s best), playing SymphonyNo. 2 by Rachmaninoff. A jazzpianist is also featured.

Monday, March 12Today we embark upon a full-dayexcursion to Kyoto by Bullet Train.Founded as the new capital ofJapan in 794, Kyoto is an oasis ofgardens and Buddhist temples.Even after the seat of powermoved to Kamakura and theneventually to Tokyo, Kyotoremained the cultural and spiritualheart of Japan. Our touringhighlights Kyoto’s Imperial pastand its traditional craftwork.Lunch and dinner are included.

Tuesday, March 13Today we embark on an excursionto Kawagoe. Located 25 milesnorth of Tokyo, we explore this“Little Edo,” famed for its historiccore of kurazukuri—black-walledmerchant houses, some datingback to the 18th century. Japanesefilm directors love the place for itsready-made sets that are perfectfor historical dramas. Lunch isincluded. Tonight we attend aconcert by the New York

Philharmonic at Suntory Hall(Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1;Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring).

Wednesday, March 14Today we journey to Kamakura,former de facto capital of Japan andthe seat of the Shogunate. Lunch isincluded. This evening we hear theTokyo Sinfonia (in an allMendelssohn program) at theintimate, recently-built HakujuHall. A champagne reception withthe musicians and conductorfollows the performance.

Thursday, March 15Enjoy the day at leisure. Thisevening we gather for a cocktailreception before we hear theToulouse Orchestra at Suntory Hall(Russlan & Ludmilla Overture,Khachaturian Flute Concerto, Suitefrom Swan Lake).

Friday, March 16Today we visit the Tokyo NationalMuseum in Ueno Park. With some87,000 pieces, it is the largestcollection of Japanese art in theworld. We take in a matinéeperformance of L’elisir d’amore atthe New National Theatre (castincludes Lucy Crowe and SaimirPirgu). Our Farewell Dinner isincluded after the performance.

Saturday, March 17Airport transfers are included, andwill be arranged on-site.

Tokyo Tower

Suntory HallBuddhist temple, Kyoto

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Tiefland, Carmen, Norma, Manon Lescaut and the Artists ChoiceConcert. With superb meals and deluxe rooms at the Ritz-Carlton.

MARCH 14 - 19, 2018

There is no better way to escape thewinter chill than with a sojourn inSarasota for one of the most uniqueand enjoyable opera experiences inNorth America.

Our days will be spent enjoyingfestival activities, touring the mostsignificant local sites, enjoying thesun and sea air and taking in theviews of Sarasota Bay and the Gulfof Mexico. Our nights will be filledwith superb performances prior toretiring to our deluxe rooms at theRitz-Carlton Hotel.

Sarasota Opera will open the 2018Winter Festival Season with theSarasota Opera première of ManonLescaut by Giacomo Puccini. Basedon the 1731 novel L'histoire duChevalier des Grieux et de ManonLescaut by Abbé Prévost, this is astory of love at first sight betweenthe Chevalier Des Grieux and theenchanting Manon Lescaut who isen route to join a convent at thewill of her father.

All-consuming, ill-fated passionrules the tumultuous love of agypsy and a corporal in GeorgesBizet's Carmen which returns to theSarasota Opera House stage afterits sold-out run in 2012.

Vincenzo Bellini brings passion,vengeance and defiance in his 8th

opera, Norma, which premièred in1831 and has become a tour-de-force role for famous sopranosthroughout history. Thisproduction will mark the firstopera by Vincenzo Belliniperformed at the Sarasota OperaHouse.

The final installment of the 2018Winter Festival Season brings theSarasota Opera première of Tiefland(The Lowlands) by Eugen d'Albert.Based on the 1896 Catalan playTerra baixa by Àngel Guimerà,Tiefland was d'Albert's 7th opera,and is the one which is now hisbest known. It continues to gainexposure and popularity. Join usfor one of our favourite festivalexperiences.

SARASOTA WINTEROPERA FESTIVAL

TOUR INCLUDES


• 5 nights deluxe accommodation at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel

• Full breakfast daily, 1 lunch, 4 dinners and 1 reception

• Guided tours as listed• Airport-hotel transfers• On-site Tour Direction by Aria

Tours President David Merritt• Comprehensive Tour Guidebook

Cost: $5495 USDSingle supplement: $1000 USDDeposit: $1500 USDBalance due: December 14, 2017

Tour Flights: Ideally, return flightsshould be booked to arrive atSarasota Bradenton InternationalAirport early afternoon on March14 with departure on the morningof March 19.




Ritz-Carleton Hotel

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Wednesday, March 14Upon arrival at Sarasota BradentonInternational Airport, you are metand transferred to the Ritz-CarltonHotel, Sarasota’s most luxurioushotel. In the early evening, wegather in the hotel lobby for aWelcome Reception beforetransferring to our WelcomeDinner at Maison Blanche—one ofthe top 100 restaurants in America.

Thursday, March 15Following breakfast (included eachday), we enjoy a sightseeing cruisearound Lido and Bird Keys alongwith areas past the RinglingBridge, into north Sarasota Bay.

Afterward, we enjoy lunch at therevered Crab & Fin on St.Armand’s Circle. This evening, weattend our first performance of thefestival, Eugen d’Albert’s rarely-seen, early 20th century verismoopera, Tiefland. It is performedregularly in Germany and Austria,but there has been only one otherU.S. production within the lastcentury.

Friday, March 16This morning we will tour theRingling Cà d'Zan Mansion andMuseum of Art. The Ringlings'dazzling palatial mansion is atribute to the American Dream andreflects the splendour and romanceof Italy. Described as “the last ofthe Gilded Age mansions” to bebuilt in America, Cà d'Zan has 56

incredible rooms filled with artand original furnishings. With itsVenetian Gothic architecture, themansion is a combination of thegrandeur of Venice’s Doge’sPalace, combined with the Gothicgrace of Cà d'Oro, with SarasotaBay serving as its Grand Canal.This evening we dine at the superbSelva Grill, where intricatelyprepared Nuevo Latino disheshave earned rave reviews from ourprevious tour members. Tonight,we take our seats for GeorgesBizet’s Carmen. We hear some ofthe most recognizable music inopera, like the “Habanera” and the“Seguidilla” and feel theexcitement of the famous“Toreador Song.”

Saturday, March 17Today we enjoy a private tour ofSelby Gardens, which maintains acollection of more than 20,000greenhouse plants. Followinglunch at leisure, we make our wayto the opera house for VincenzoBellini’s Norma. In Roman-occupied Gaul, a Druid Priestessand a Roman official have fallen inlove. When her man’s sights are seton a new love, Normacontemplates murder, strugglingbetween love and duty. Thisevening we enjoy dinner atDuval’s, the best fresh fishrestaurant in Sarasota. Afterward,we return to the opera house forPuccini’s first great success, Manon

Lescaut. The French tale of abeautiful young woman destroyedby her conflicting needs for loveand luxury had already inspiredMassenet’s Manon (1884), arelatively new and immenselypopular work at the time of ManonLescaut’s première. Puccini madethe story his own and infused itwith a new level of frank emotionand a flood of melody. This operawas his first great success, leadingGeorge Bernard Shaw to name him“the successor to Verdi.”

Sunday, March 18Following a day at leisure, wemeet for a Farewell Dinner at theperennial favourite—Bijou Café.With its outstanding wine list andaward-winning chef Jean-PierreKnaggs’ famous recipes, this issure to be a memorable meal.Tonight we attend the ArtistsChoice Concert, a Festivalfavourite, where principal andstudio artists perform theirselections of the best of opera andsong.

Monday, March 19Transfers are included to SarasotaBradenton International Airport,and will be arranged on-site.

Sarasota Opera House

Cà d’Zan Mansion

Ringling Museum of Art

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A Rosamund Gilmore production of the Ring, with Ulf Schirmerleading the world-renowned Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. Laclemenza di Tito & Roméo et Juliette in Prague. SteigenbergerGrandhotel Handelshof Leipzig; Aria Hotel Prague.

MAY 8 - 18, 2018

This year’s Wagner-Festtage atOper Leipzig, in the composer’shome town, includes one of the fiveleading symphony orchestras in theworld—the GewandhouseOrchestra—led by Ulf Schirmer.Under the skilled direction ofRosamund Gilmore, this Ring iscertain to be one of the best of the2018 season.

Gilmore’s production is essentiallya safe, straightforward presentationof the Ring events, with little of theGerman ‘Regietheater’ that irksAmerican audiences.

Leipzig has become one of the mostpopular destinations in Europe,ever since the New York Times listedit as one of its “places to go” in2010, touting its music scene andburgeoning artist community. Thehistoric central area of Leipzigfeatures a renaissance-styleensemble of buildings from the 16th

century, including the old city hallin the market place. There are alsoseveral Baroque trading houses andformer residences of rich merchants.We stay at the elegant SteigenbergerGrandhotel Handelshof and enjoyprivate, guided touring.

Prague is a true gem, lauded as the'City of a Hundred Spires' becauseof its many churches and towers.Unlike much of central Europe, thecity was not seriously damaged inWorld War II, and remains one ofthe most beautiful cities on thecontinent. Since 1992, the extensivehistoric centre of Prague has beenincluded in the UNESCO list ofWorld Heritage Sites.

As well as exploring the historythat echoes through the streets ofthis city, we will attendperformances of Roméo et Juliette, Laclemenza di Tito, and a balletperformance of La fille mal gardée.

THE LEIPZIG RING& PRAGUE

TOUR INCLUDES

• Top Category seats for at least 6 performances

• 9 nights deluxe accommodation (5 at the Steigenberger Grandhotel Handelshof Leipzig, 4 at the Aria Hotel Prague)

• Full breakfast daily, 3 lunches, 5 dinners, 1 reception


Full Tour Cost: $9995 USDSingle supplement: $1500 USDDeposit: $3000 USDBalance due: February 8, 2018______________________________

Leipzig Only Cost: $5995 USDSingle supplement: $750 USDDeposit: $2000 USDBalance due: February 8, 20185 nights only. Partial tour inclusions:Top Category seats for all 'Ring'performances/ 5 nights deluxeaccommodation at the SteigenbergerGrandhotel Handelshof Leipzig/Full breakfast daily, 1 lunch, 3dinners, 1 reception / Private toursas listed/ Airport-hotel transfers/On-site Tour Direction/Comprehensive Tour Guidebook

Tour Flights: Ideally, flights shouldbe booked to arrive in Leipzig,Dresden or Berlin early afternoonon May 9 with departure fromPrague on the morning of May 18.



Richard Wagner

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Tuesday, May 8Departures from your country ofresidence for overnight flights.

Wednesday, May 9Upon arrival (Leipzig, Dresden orBerlin) you are met and transferredto the Steigenberger GrandhotelHandelshof in Leipzig. Tonight ourWelcome Dinner is at the hotel’sBrasserie Le Grand, a jewel in thecrown of Leipzig's culinarylandscape.

Thursday, May 10Following breakfast (included eachday), we enjoy a guided tour ofLeipzig (Marketplace, Old CityHall, Stock Exchange, churches ofSt. Nicholas and St. Thomas). Thisevening we hear Wagner’s DasRheingold (Karin Lovelius, KathrinGöring, Gal James, SandraMaxheimer, Thomas Pursio,Thomas Mohr, James Moellenhoff)at the Leipzig Opernhaus. Dinner isincluded afterward at RestaurantAuerbachs Keller.

Friday, May 11This morning we make the shortwalk to the Museum of MusicalInstruments, where we enjoy aprivate tour. Tonight we enjoy areception in our hotel beforewalking to the Leipzig Opernhausto hear Die Walküre (MeaganMiller, Christiane Libor,Magdalena Hinterdobler, AnjaSchlosser, Burkhard Fritz, RúniBrattaberg, Iain Paterson).

Saturday, May 12Today we take a short trip to Halle,birthplace of Handel, to see sitesassociated with his early life, aswell as those related to MartinLuther and Napoleon. We enjoylunch (included) before returningto Leipzig for Siegfried (ElisabetStrid, Danae Kontora, DanielFrank) at the Leipzig Opernhaus.

Sunday, May 13The day is at leisure. This evening,we dine early (included) and thentake in Götterdämmerung (ChristianeLibor, Gal James, Karin Lovelius,Kathrin Göring, Olena Tokar,Magdalena Hinterdobler, SandraMaxheimer, Sandra Fechner,Thomas Mohr, Thomas Pursio,Peter Sidhom, Rúni Brattaberg) atthe Leipzig Opernhaus.

Monday, May 14 (departure partial)This morning we check out anddepart for Prague, stopping inDresden for a quick lunch. Wearrive in Prague late afternoon andtransfer to the chic Aria Hotel inthe charming Castle District.Tonight we transfer to the EstatesTheatre for a concert performanceof Mozart’s La clemenza di Tito.

Tuesday, May 15Following breakfast we tour theCastle District. Lunch is includedat Kampa Park. Tonight we takeour seats in the Karlin Theatre forCharles Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette(7pm curtain). Since its première at

the Théâtre Lyrique in Paris onApril 27, 1867, Gounod’s setting ofthe immortal story of the Veronalovers has enjoyed ever-increasingpopularity.

Wednesday, May 16Today we tour St. Vitus Cathedraland the Vyšehrad Church/Cemetery (Vysehrad NationalBurial Ground was established inthe second half of 19th century). Itis one of the most significantPrague cemeteries. Dinner thisevening is included at Mlynec (setin a stunning location by theVltava River, in the very centre ofPrague, next to and overlookingCharles Bridge).

Thursday, May 17Enjoy the final day at leisure inPrague. Tonight we enjoy a balletperformance of La fille mal gardée(7pm curtain). Some of the finestdancers worldwide have appearedin Sir Frederick Ashton’s highly-acclaimed ballet, which has beenstaged at more than 35 theatresaround the world, including theParis Opera, Bolshoi Theatre,American Ballet Theatre, BostonBallet and National Ballet ofCanada. Our Farewell Dinnerfollows the performance.

Friday, May 18Airport transfers are included andwill be arranged on-site.

Leipzig Opernhaus

Karlin Theatre

St. Vitus Cathedral

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With La bohème and Lohengrin at the Royal Opera CoventGarden, Der Rosenkavalier, Giulio Cesare and Madama Butterflyat Glyndebourne Festival Opera, plus Die Zauberflöte andCapriccio at the Garsington Opera.

JUNE 14 - 25 , 2018

Our annual trek to the UK is one ofour most popular tours—alwayssold out, and always elicitingsuperlative feedback.

London is one of our favouritecities, always abuzz, with so muchhistory and majesty in everydirection. We will attend twoperformances at the Royal OperaHouse: Puccini's timeless La bohème,and a David Alden production ofWagner’s Lohengrin, both withsuperb casts. Our hotel is theFirmdale Covent Garden, a truegem just a short walk from ROH.

Tickets for the GlyndebourneFestival are notoriously difficult toget, and it is easy to understandwhy: the productions, singing andplaying are truly world-class, thevenue—a lovely dedicated operahouse on the Christie Estate in theEast Sussex countryside—is uniqueand welcoming, and the overallexperience is one of the finest to behad at any festival, anywhere. It isposh without being pretentious,and the sublime music, superbcuisine (especially the formal picnicwith butler service!) and even thefriendly and extremely helpful

Festival volunteers make for anunforgettable opera experience.

The Garsington Festival is heldeach summer on the grounds ofWormsley Estate, a 2500-acre parkwhich includes an 18th centurycountry house once owned by SirPaul Getty. Getty purchased theproperty in 1986 and spent severalyears restoring the house and estateback to its former glory. Ourperformances and meals here arealways a highlight of the tour, andthis year we see Capriccio and DieZauberflöte. Our hotel is the statelyBelmond Le Manoir auxQuat’Saisons, one of the finesthotels in England, and we enjoy aFarewell Dinner in its Michelin 2-starred restaurant.

GLYNDEBOURNE,GARSINGTON & LONDON

TOUR INCLUDES


• 10 nights deluxe accommodation(4 at the Covent Garden Hotel London, 3 at the Grand Hotel Brighton and 3 at the Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons Oxford)

• Full breakfast daily, 1 lunch, 9 dinners and 1 reception


Cost: $13,495 USDSingle supplement: $1995 USDDeposit: $3000 USDBalance due: March 14, 2018

Tour Flights: Ideally, return flightsshould be booked to arrive atHeathrow early afternoon on June15 with departure on the morningof June 25.




Glyndebourne

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Thursday, June 14Departures from your country ofresidence for overnight flights.

Friday, June 15Upon arrival at Heathrow, you aremet and transferred to London andthe Firmdale Covent Garden Hotel.Tonight we gather for a WelcomeReception (hot and cold buffet) inthe hotel’s Drawing Room.

Saturday, June 16This morning we meet for ahighlights tour of historic London,with an inside visit at WestminsterAbbey. Tonight we walk to theRoyal Opera House for Puccini’sLa bohème (Nicola Luisotti;Ekaterina Siurina, Atalla Ayan,Andrei Bondarenko and VladaBorovko). Dinner is included at theopera house pre-curtain, withdessert and coffee during theinterval.

Sunday, June 17After a morning at leisure, wemeet and depart for a matinéeperformance of a David Aldenproduction of Wagner’s Lohengrin(Andris Nelsons; Klaus FlorianVogt, Kristīne Opolais, ChristineGoerke, Thomas Johannes Mayerand Georg Zeppenfeld). Dinner isincluded afterward at Savini.

Monday, June 18This morning we enjoy a literarytour of London, including

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre (anoak-and-thatch replica of theoriginal Elizabethan playhouseassociated with WilliamShakespeare). This evening, weenjoy a special dinner at The Ritz.

Tuesday, June 19Today we depart for Brighton andthe Grand Hotel, where we enjoydeluxe ocean-view rooms. Mid-afternoon we transfer toGlyndebourne for Strauss’ DerRosenkavalier (Robin Ticciata; KateRoyal, Kate Lindsey and BrindleySherratt). An elegant picnic dinner(with white linen table service) isincluded on the grounds duringthe long interval.

Wednesday, June 20Today we tour Brighton’s RoyalPavilion, built as a seaside pleasurepalace for King George IV. Tonight,our performance at Glyndebourneis a revival of the 2005 FestivalDavid McVicar production ofHandel’s Giulio Cesare. WilliamChristie conducts the Orchestra ofthe Age of Enlightenment, with acast that includes Sarah Connolly,Patricia Bardon, Joélle Harvey,Christophe Dumaux, John Moore,and Kangmin Justin Kim. A buffetdinner is included during the longinterval at Nether Wallop.

Thursday, June 21Today we offer an optional tour toLewes, including the Priory andAnne of Cleves House. Thisevening we return to Glyndebournefor an Annilese Miskimmonproduction of Puccini’s MadamaButterfly (Omer Meir Wellber; OlgaBusuioc, Joshua Guerrero, MichaelSumuel and Elizabeth DeShong).Dinner is included at the refinedMiddle & Over Wallop during thelong interval.

Friday, June 22Today we make our way to Oxfordand the luxurious Le Manoir auxQuat’Saisons. Lunch is included enroute. Late afternoon, we transferto Wormsley Estate and GarsingtonOpera for a Netia Jones productionof Mozart’s timeless Die Zauberflöte,under the baton of ChristianCurnyn. A gourmet feast isincluded under the pavilionduring the long interval.

Saturday, June 23This morning we tour Oxford,including the Divinity School(1488) and the Ashmolean, theworld’s first university museum(1678–1683). Tonight ourperformance at Garsington isStrauss’s Capriccio. This Tim Aberyproduction is conducted by ArtisticDirector Douglas Boyd. Dinner isagain included during the longinterval.

Sunday, June 24Today we offer a tour to WindsorCastle, where we view the RoyalApartments and see the gardens.Our Farewell Dinner is includedthis evening in Le Manoir’s superbMichelin 2-starred restaurant.

Monday, June 25Airport transfers are included andwill be arranged on-site.

Royal Opera House

Garsington

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Donald Runnicles conducts this revered Francesca Zambelloproduction of the Ring, with an outstanding cast: EvelynHerlitzius, Daniel Brenna, Falk Struckmann, Greer Grimsley,Karita Mattila, Brandon Jovanovich and Jamie Barton. FourSeasons Hotel San Francisco.

JUNE 18 - 25, 2018

“A triumph of voice and vision...amagnificent reminder of what thiscompany is capable of when all thestars are in alignment!" -SanFrancisco Chronicle

Over the course of four magnificentmusic dramas, Donald Runnicles,recipient of the 2009 San FranciscoOpera Medal and one of theworld's leading Wagner interpreters,will conduct a spectacularinternational cast and therenowned San Francisco OperaOrchestra and Chorus. Runniclesfirst led the Company in two Ringcycles in 1990 and has sinceconducted more than 60 productionsin San Francisco. He is currentlygeneral music director of DeutscheOper Berlin.

Director Francesca Zambello'sproduction of the Ring has wonover both critics and audiences.Zambello (recipient of the 2015 SanFrancisco Opera Medal) began herlong association with the Companyin 1983 as assistant stage directorfor Ariadne auf Naxos and hassince been involved in more than50 productions. She is currently

general and artistic director of theGlimmerglass Festival and artisticdirector of Washington NationalOpera. In addition to her work inopera, she has also staged playsand musicals on Broadway andaround the world. Her manyhonors include France’s Chevalierdes Arts et des Lettres and theRussian Federation’s medal forservice to culture, three OlivierAwards, two French Grand Prix desCritiques, and Australia’s HelpmannAward.

San Francisco is one of ourfavourite destinations—a great citywith one of America’s finest operacompanies. Superb meals and toursround out the schedule, withaccommodation at the refined FourSeasons Hotel.

THE SAN FRANCISCORING

TOUR INCLUDES

• Top Category seats for all Ringperformances as listed

• 7 nights deluxe accommodation at the Four Seasons Hotel

• Full breakfast daily and 7 dinners


Cost: $8495 USDSingle supplement: $1250 USDDeposit: $3000 USDBalance due: March 18, 2018

Tour Flights: Ideally, return flightsshould be booked to arrive in SanFrancisco early afternoon on June18 with departure on the morningof June 25.




Richard Wagner

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Monday, June 18Upon arrival in San Francisco, youare met and transferred to theelegant Four Seasons Hotel, nearUnion Square. You can take in lushgardens, sample local vineyardsand see the latest contemporaryart—without ever leaving the hotel.Dinner this evening is included atthe chic Waterbar, stunningly setbeside the Bay Bridge.

Tuesday, June 19Following breakfast (included eachday), we offer a Ring Symposium.This morning’s session will be ageneral introduction to Wagnerand the story, characters and musicof the Ring. This evening wetransfer to the War Memorial OperaHouse for our first performance,Das Rheingold (Greer Grimsley,Stefan Margita, Falk Struckmann,Jamie Barton, Ronnita Miller,David Cangelosi, AndreaSilvestrelli, Raymond Aceto, StaceyTappan, Lauren McNeese, RenéeTatum, Brandon Jovanovich andBrian Mulligan). Dinner isincluded at Jardinière, followingthe performance.

Wednesday, June 20This morning we embark on a two-hour walking tour, featuring SanFrancisco’s most famous downtownbuildings, hidden rooftop gardens,unique open spaces and historiclandmarks. This evening we meetin the lobby and transfer to a pre-opera talk followed by Die Walküre

(Evelyn Herlitzius, Greer Grimsley,Karita Mattila, Brandon Jovanovich,Jamie Barton and Raymond Aceto).Dinner tonight is included duringthe interval.

Thursday, June 21Today we gather in the lobby andleave for a private, guided coachand walking tour of the city’shighlights, plus an inside visit tothe de Young Art Museum. Foundedin 1895 in San Francisco’s GoldenGate Park, the museum has beenan integral part of the culturalfabric of the city and a cherisheddestination for millions ofresidents and visitors to the regionfor over 100 years. Tonight weenjoy a special dinner at AliceWaters’ iconic Chez Panisse. Opensince 1971, Chez Panisse first putterms like "California cuisine" and"slow food" on the map byintroducing Bay Area diners toseasonal, produce-heavy smallplates.

Friday, June 22Enjoy the day at leisure. In theearly evening we transfer to theWar Memorial opera House for apre-opera talk, followed bySiegfried (Daniel Brenna, EvelynHerlitzius, David Cangelosi, GreerGrimsley, Falk Struckmann,Raymond Aceto, Ronnita Millerand Stacey Tappan). Dinner isincluded during the interval.

Saturday, June 23This morning we offer anotherRing Symposium (details TBA).Following an afternoon at leisure,we depart for dinner at GaryDanko. The restaurant’scommitment to excellence andinnovation has earned Gary Dankoits 12th Five Diamond rating fromAAA as well as a coveted Relais &Châteaux designation. TheMichelin-rated restaurant has alsoearned several James BeardAwards, including Best NewRestaurant, Best Service and BestChef – California.

Sunday, June 24Enjoy the final morning at leisure.Today we transfer to the operahouse for the pre-opera talk andthen a matinée performance ofGötterdämmerung (EvelynHerlitzius, Daniel Brenna, BrianMulligan, Andrea Silvestrelli,Jamie Barton, Melissa Citro, FalkStruckmann, Stacey Tappan,Lauren McNeese and RenéeTatum). Our Farewell Dinner isincluded at the Opera House,where a gourmet buffet, preparedby Executive Chef Dean Ronaawaits us.

Monday, June 25Airport transfers are included andwill be arranged on-site.

Golden Gate Bridge

War Memorial Opera House

Gary Danko Restaurant

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An American Soldier, Orfeo ed Euridice, La traviata and Reginaat the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. With lectures, pre-performance picnics and visual art touring. Accommodation is atthe historic Chase Park Plaza, in the city’s vibrant Central WestEnd, on the edge of Forest Park.

JUNE 21 - 25, 2018

Our first foray to St. Louis is anexciting blend of insider access tosome of the finest art and gardensin the city, as well as superb seatsfor an excellent and diverse slate ofperformances at the Opera Theatreof Saint Louis, including the worldpremière of the full-length versionof An American Soldier by critically-acclaimed composer Huang Ruoand Tony Award-winningplaywright David Henry Hwang.

The Opera Theatre of Saint Louisbelieves that opera should be fun,sociable, and accessible. From pre-show picnics in the beautifulgardens to post-show cocktailswith the cast and crew of the show,the company is focused on makingyour experience as unique,memorable, and inviting aspossible.

As of 2016, Opera Theatre of SaintLouis has presented 25 worldpremières and 24 Americanpremières—which may be thehighest percentage of new works inthe repertory of any US company. A commitment to American operashelps prove time and time againthat today, opera is a living,breathing, American art form.

OTSL has a long tradition ofdiscovering and promoting thecareers of the finest operatic artistsof the next generation. Each year,more than 1,000 aspiring singersapply to join the programs.Typically, fewer than 40 areaccepted. Each year the roster ofthe Metropolitan Opera includesover 60 artists who performed in St.Louis early in their careers. Amongthe singers who had importantearly opportunities at OTSL areChristine Brewer, LawrenceBrownlee, Jamie Barton, MatthewPolenzani, Susan Graham, NathanGunn, Christine Goerke, PatriciaRacette, Thomas Hampson, JerryHadley, Dawn Upshaw, SylviaMcNair, Erie Mills, Dwayne Croft,and Kelly Kaduce.

SAINT LOUIS TOUR INCLUDES

• Top Category seats for 4 performances

• 4 nights deluxe accommodation at the Chase Park Plaza

• Full breakfast daily, 4 dinners and 1 reception

• Private guided tours as listed• Airport-hotel transfers• On-site Tour Direction• Comprehensive Tour Guidebook

Cost: $4995 USDSingle supplement: $750 USDDeposit: $2500 USDBalance due: March 21, 2018

Tour Flights: Ideally, return flightsshould be booked to arrive in SaintLouis early afternoon on June 21with departure on the morning ofJune 25.




Chase Park Plaza

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Thursday, June 21Upon arrival in St. Louis, you aremet and transferred to the elegantChase Park Plaza Hotel (an iconicSt. Louis hotel that has welcomedguests with elegance and luxurysince 1930), where you check in toyour Deluxe room. This eveningwe gather in the lobby for aWelcome Reception followed bydinner at the hotel’s elegantTenderloin Room, a storied eaterythat serves up steaks & cocktails ina posh, old-fashioned venue.

Friday, June 22Following breakfast, included eachday, we meet for a guided tour ofSt. Louis, taking in the city’s richhistory and significant architecturalachievements. After lunch atleisure, we transfer to the OperaTheatre for a pre-performancepicnic and lecture, and then aworld-première production--Huang Ruo and David HenryHwang’s An American Soldier (8pmcurtain).

Saturday, June 23This morning we tour to ForestPark, site of the 1904 World’s Fair,and we enjoy a guided tour of theArt Museum, built as the Fine ArtsPalace of that fair and one of thenation's leading comprehensive artmuseums. In the afternoon wetransfer to the Opera Theatre for amatinée performance of Gluck’s

Orfeo and Euridice (1pm curtain).We enjoy another picnic and lecturebefore this evening’s performanceof Verdi’s La traviata (8pm curtain),featuring the directorial début ofstar soprano Patricia Racette.

Sunday, June 24Enjoy the final morning at leisure.This afternoon we receive a veryspecial private tour at thespectacular Missouri BotanicalGarden, one of the oldest botanicalgardens in the United States. Wewill focus on the Doris WatersHarris Lichtenstein VictorianDistrict, home to several impressivegardens and structures, includingGarden founder Henry Shaw'scountry home, Tower GroveHouse, and the amazing JapaneseGarden, designed by the lateProfessor Koichi Kawana, a nativeof Japan and lecturer onenvironmental design andlandscape architecture at theUniversity of California, LosAngeles. An early Farewell Dinneris included at one of our favouriterestaurants in the city prior toMarc Blitzstein’s Regina (based onLillian Hellman’s play The LittleFoxes) 7pm curtain.

Monday, June 25Departures to Lambert–St. LouisInternational Airport are includedand will be arranged on-site.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

An American SoldierJune 22, 8pmConductor: Michael ChristieDirector: Matthew OzawaDanny Chen: Andrew StensonSergeant Marcum: Wayne TiggesMother Chen: Mika Shigematsu

Orfeo & EuridiceJune 23, 1pmConductor: Pierre ValletDirector: Ron DanielsOrfeo: Jennifer Johnson CanoEuridice: Andriana ChuchmanAmore: Maria Valdes

La traviataJune 23, 8pmConductor: Christopher AllenDirector: Patricia RacetteVioletta: Sydney MancasolaAlfredo: Geoffrey AgpaloGermont: Joo Won Kang

ReginaJune 24, 7pmConductor: Stephen LordDirector: James RobinsonRegina: Susan GrahamBen Hubbard: James MorrisOscar Hubbard: Ron Raines

Forest Park Museum

The Opera Theatre

Tower Grove House

The only thing we can think of thatwould make our annual trip to theMunich Opera Festival better is if itwere to include a Ring with JonasKaufmann and Nina Stemme. Our2018 tour does exactly that, and wewill offer a superb experience inevery way.

It is easy to understand why this isone of our most popular tours—every aspect of it is world-class. Wewill hear some of the finest singersin opera (including the greatesttenor of his generation, JonasKaufmann), two stellar orchestras,all in stunning venues and all of itin Munich, a city of boundless riches.

Our hotel for the week is theBayerischer Hof, a propertydeserving of its five stars, perfectlylocated in the heart of the city, andwalking distance to theNationaltheater.

One of our most experiencedDirectors will lead the group, andour tours will be led by Munichresidents who are expert guides.We will see, amongst other sites,Nymphenburg Palace, the OldPicture Gallery, the Residenz andKing Ludwig’s Herrenchiemsee.

Join us for this exceptional programin one of our favourite cities.

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JULY 18 - 28, 2018

THE MUNICH RINGKirill Petrenko conducts this Andreas Kriegenburg Ring, withJonas Kaufmann and Nina Stemme. With Orlando Paladino, La traviata (Diana Damrau), and Les vêpres siciliennes(Giannattasio, Schrott, Hymel) plus Sonya Yoncheva & Piotr Beczala in recital. Hotel Bayerischer Hof Munich.

TOUR INCLUDES

• At least 2nd Category seats for 8 performances

• 9 nights accommodation at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof Munich(superior rooms for doubles, classic rooms for singles)

• Full breakfast daily, 4 lunches and 4 dinners


Cost: $8995 USDSingle supplement: $1150 USDDeposit: $2500 USDBalance due: April 18, 2018

Tour Flights: Ideally, return flightsshould be booked to arrive inMunich early afternoon on July 19with departure on the morning ofJuly 28.




Herrenchiemsee

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Wednesday, July 18Departures from your country ofresidence for overnight flights.

Thursday, July 19Upon arrival at Munich Airport,you are met and transferred toyour room at the elegant, 5-starHotel Bayerischer Hof, located inthe heart of Munich’s historiccentre. Tonight we gather forintroductions and our WelcomeDinner at the Spatenhaus.

Friday, July 20Following breakfast (included atthe hotel each morning) weembark on a private walking tourof the city’s centre. Lunch isincluded at one of our localfavourites, following the tour. Inthe evening we attend our firstRing performance at theNationaltheater: Das Rheingold.(Kirill Petrenko; Wolfgang Koch,Markus Eiche, John Lundgren,Ekaterina Gubanova, Dean Power).

Saturday, July 21This morning we tour thecollections at the Neue Pinakothek(New Picture Gallery). Togetherwith the Alte Pinakothek, thesecollections combine to make forone of the truly great galleryexperiences in the world. Tonight,we hear Sonya Yoncheva in anopen-air recital, Opera For All, inthe Marstallplatz. Dinner isincluded before the performance.

Sunday, July 22Today we visit the Glyptothek,Munich's oldest public museumand the only museum in the worldthat is solely dedicated to ancientsculpture. Tonight Die Walküre(Kirill Petrenko; Jonas Kaufmann,Nina Stemme, Ain Anger,Wolfgang Koch, Anja Kampe,Ekaterina Gubanova, Anna Gabler).

Monday, July 23Today we offer a tour to the RoyalPalace at Herrenchiemsee.Modelled after Versailles, thispalace was built as a “Temple ofFame” for King Louis XIV ofFrance, whom the Bavarianmonarch King Ludwig II admired.Lunch is included. This eveningwe hear Piotr Beczala in recitalwith Helmut Deutsch on piano.

Tuesday, July 24This morning we enjoy a privatetour of Nymphenburg, theBaroque summer palace ofBavarian rulers. We visit theGallery of Beauties and strollthrough the exquisite park to seeAmalienburg (the little huntinglodge with its Hall of Mirrors).Tonight we hear Siegfried (KirillPetrenko; Stefan Vinke, WolfgangKoch, John Lundgren, Ain Anger,Nina Stemme). Dinner is includedat the opera house.

Wednesday, July 25Today we stroll through theEnglischer Garten (EnglishGarden) to the Seehaus beergarden. Lunch is included. Tonightyou may attend either OrlandoPaladino (Ivor Bolton; SofiaFomina, Mathias Vidal, EdwinCrossley-Mercer) at thePrinzregententheater or La traviata(Asher Fisch; Diana Damrau,Rachael Wilson, AlyonaAbramowa, Charles Castronovo)at the Nationaltheater. Pleaserequest upon registering for thetour.

Thursday, July 26This morning we tour the stunningResidenz, the largest city palace inGermany. This afternoon we meetonce again for an early dinnerprior to Les vêpres siciliennes (OmerMeir Wellber; CarmenGiannattasio, Helena Zubanovich,Bryan Hymel, Erwin Schrott).

Friday, July 27Enjoy the final day at leisure. Wemeet mid-afternoon for a FarewellLunch at the Ratskeller, and in theevening we make our way to theNationaltheater for our finalperformance: Götterdämmerung(Kirill Petrenko; Stefan Vinke,Markus Eiche, Hans-Peter König,John Lundgren, Nina Stemme).

Saturday, July 28Transfers are included to MunichAirport for departure flights.

Nationaltheater

Nymphenburg

Marienplatz

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We receive many requests for the opera festivals at Savonlinnaand Drottningholm, and we will combine both on one spectacularmid-summer tour. With Otello, Turandot and Tosca at thespectacular Olavinlinna Castle in Savonlinna plus 2 performancesin Stockholm. Hotel Kamp in Helsinki, the Original Sokos HotelSeurahuone in Savinlinna, Grand Hotel Stockholm, and a DeluxeCabin on the MS Silja Symphony.

JULY 25 - AUGUST 6, 2018

In Savonlinna we take in threeoperas, at the unique andunforgettable Olavinlinna (St.Olaf’s Castle), built in 1475.

The first opera performance to takeplace at the castle was in 1912, butdue to the First World War, thefestival ended and lay dormantuntil its revitalization in 1967,when it reopened with aperformance of Beethoven’s Fidelio.This year, we see Otello as well asthe Puccini Festival productions ofTurandot and Tosca.

There will be time at leisure, near asparkling lake and Savonlinna.

Very few theatres surviveunchanged from the 18th century,and The Drottningholm CourtTheatre not only survived, but didso with the original stage machineryand scenery intact, and as home ofa living operatic tradition. In 1991,UNESCO declared it “of significantinternational cultural heritage.” Wesee one performance here, whichincludes the DrottningholmTheatre Orchestra, using authentic,period instruments..

We enjoy one performance atConfidencen (Ulriksdal PalaceTheatre), Sweden’s oldest Rococotheatre.

SCANDINAVIANSUMMER FESTIVALS

TOUR INCLUDES


• 11 nights deluxe accommodation (2 at the Hotel Kamp Helsinki, 4 at the Original Sokos Hotel Seurahuone, 1 aboard the MS Silja Symphony and 4 at the Grand Hotel Stockholm)

• Full breakfast daily, 3 lunches and 9 dinners

• Private tours as listed• Airport-hotel transfers, short

flight to Savonlinna• On-site Tour Direction• Comprehensive Tour Guidebook

Cost: $11,995 USDSingle supplement: $1800 USDDeposit: $3000 USDBalance due: April 26, 2018

Tour Flights: Ideally, flights shouldbe booked to arrive in Helsinkiearly afternoon on July 26 withdeparture from Stockholm on themorning of August 6.




Hotel Kamp Helsinki

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Wednesday, July 25Departures from your country ofresidence (for overnight flights).

Thursday, July 26Arrival in Helsinki and transfer tothe Hotel Kamp, perfectly situatedon the Esplanade in the heart ofthe Old Town. This evening wegather for dinner in the Kamp Caféin our hotel.

Friday, July 27Following breakfast, included eachday, we enjoy a guided tour ofHelsinki (Senate Square, cathedral,Church in the Rock, UspenskiRussian Orthodox Cathedral,Sibelius Park and Monument). Theafternoon is at leisure before anunforgettable dinner at Olo.

Saturday, July 28This morning we fly to Savonlinna(55 mins.) and check in at theOriginal Sokos Hotel Seurahuone.This evening we dine at Olavinlinnaprior to a performance of Verdi’sOtello (sung in Italian with Englishsurtitles). 7pm curtain (HannuLintu; Carl Tanner, AlexeyMarkov).

Sunday, July 29Today we tour Savonlinna, includingOlivinlinna and the ProvincialMuseum (which focuses on thehistory of the area and houses 4unique steamships). This eveningwe include a special dinner.

Monday, July 30We offer an optional tour by boatthis morning, followed by lunch.This evening, we return toOlavinlinna for a Puccini Festivalproduction of Turandot (sung inItalian with English surtitles). 7pmcurtain (Alberto Veronesi conducts).

Tuesday, July 31Enjoy the full day at leisure.Tonight we hear Tosca, again theproduction is from the PucciniFestival, Torre del Lago (sung inItalian with English surtitles). 7pmcurtain (Alberto Veronesi conducts).

Wednesday, August 1Today we return to Helsinki, withtime for exploration of the citybefore our overnight cruise toStockholm aboard the MS SiljaSymphony. You will enjoyaccommodation in a sea-viewDeluxe cabin. Cabins have adouble bed (separable), flat screen-TV, trouser press, andcomplimentary refreshments in theminibar. Dinner is included onboard, at the fine-dining BonVivant restaurant, with a wine baroverlooking the Promenade.

Thursday, August 2Upon arrival in Stockholm, wetransfer to the majestic GrandHotel on the waterfront, one of theworld’s finest hotels. After anorientation tour of the Old Town(Gamla Stan), we enjoy dinner atthe Michelin-starred Matbaren.

Friday, August 3Today we embark on a hiddengems tour of Stockholm, startingwith an inside tour at the VasaMuseum, which houses theworld’s only preserved 17th

century ship. Lunch is includedafterward at Prinsen. This eveningwe cruise by boat to a performanceat Confidencen, Sweden’s oldestRococo theatre. A light meal isincluded on board.

Saturday, August 4This morning we gather in thelobby and depart to the nearbyArtipelag (the name combines Art,Activities and Archipelago). Lunchis included on-site with thefounder, Björn Jakobson. TheArtipelag offers 54 acres of trees,water, rocks, cliffs, beaches and anabundance of plant and animal life.There is also a 32,000 sq. ft. artgallery, one of Stockholm’s largest.This evening we cruise by boat toDrottningholm and a performancein the Baroque Slottsteater. A two-course dinner is served during thecruise.

Sunday, August 5Enjoy the final day at leisure inStockholm. This evening we saygoodbye with a Farewell Dinner atOperakällaren.

Monday, August 6Airport transfers are included andwill be arranged on-site.

Olavinlinna Castle

Grand Hotel Stockholm

Drottningholm Theatre

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John Adam’s Doctor Atomic, Madama Butterfly, L’italiana inAlgeri, Ariadne auf Naxos and Candide, plus two mid-dayconcerts and the Apprentice Scenes

AUGUST 6 - 13, 2018

Santa Fe is one of our favouritedestinations, and the Santa FeOpera Festival is one of ourfavourite (and most popular)tours—proof that you needn'ttravel across the globe for a veryspecial opera getaway. What makesSanta Fe different is howwonderful it feels just being there -something about the magicalcombination of perfect weather,breathtaking landscape, charmingSouthwest architecture andfriendly locals, as well as the scoresof shops and galleries that make itimpossible to walk the historicstreets of this city without a smileon your face. And of course thequality of the performances thattake place each night and thequality of the venue itself, theglorious mesa-top Crosby Theatre,is often a surprise to attendees.

Our first performance, JohnAdam’s Doctor Atomic (making itsdébut at Santa Fe), is a newproduction, staged by Peter Sellars,who has collaborated previouslywith Adams on Nixon in China andThe Death of Klinghoffer.

Madama Butterfly features Puccini'slongest and most passionate loveduet, much of his most lyricalmusic, including the “Humming

Chorus” and “Flower Duet,” ajustly famous soprano aria in “Unbel dì,” and a spine-tingling climax.

Nicknamed “The Italian Mozart,”Rossini wrote L’italiana in Algeri(The Italian Girl in Algiers) whenhe was only 21 years old, and it isconsidered one of his mostsuccessful comedies.

Written for 16 soloists and aMozartian orchestra of 36 players,Ariadne auf Naxos is Strauss’s mostenchanting and wittiest opera, acomic collision of idealism andreality, of backstage grit andonstage glory. This is a newproduction from Santa Fe favouriteTim Albery.

Santa Fe launches its 62nd seasonwith Candide, containing suchspectacular music as “Glitter andBe Gay”, and the soaring finale“Make Our Garden Grow.”

SANTA FE TOUR INCLUDES

• Top Category seats for 8 performances

• 7 nights deluxe accommodation at the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi

• Full breakfast daily, 1 lunch and 6 dinners

• 3 pre-performance lectures• Private tours as listed• Airport-hotel transfers• On-site Tour Direction• Comprehensive Tour Guidebook

Cost: $7495 USDSingle supplement: $1500 USDDeposit: $2500 USDBalance due: May 6, 2018

Tour Flights: Ideally, return flightsshould be booked to arrive in inAlbuquerque Sunport (or Santa FeAirport) early afternoon on August6 with departure on the morning ofAugust 13.




Inn of the Anasazi

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Monday, August 6Upon arrival in AlbuquerqueSunport (or Santa Fe Airport) youare met and transferred to theRosewood Inn of the Anasazi,ideally located on the Plaza, acrossfrom the Palace of the Governors.This evening, we gather forintroductions and a WelcomeDinner at the hotel’s superbAnasazi restaurant. Inspired bySanta Fe’s rich cultural andculinary history, Executive ChefEdgar Beas’ menus fuse old worldtechniques with modern,innovative recipes and artfulplating.

Tuesday, August 7Following breakfast (included eachday), enjoy your morning atleisure. Later, we walk to the St.Francis Auditorium for a Santa FeChamber Music Festival concert.After a lunch at leisure, we gatherin our private salon at the hotel fora casual and entertainingdiscussion led by Oliver Prezant,lecturer at Santa Fe Opera.Afterward, we walk to dinner atthe superb Sazón, on the edge ofthe Plaza. We then depart byprivate coach to the Santa FeOpera for our first performance atthe Festival, John Adams’s DoctorAtomic (his 2005 operaticdocudrama about J RobertOppenheimer and the events thatculminated in the first atomic test,near Los Alamos in July 1945).8pm curtain.

Wednesday, August 8This morning we meet our guide,Jerry Rightman, and depart on aprivate “hidden gems” tour ofSanta Fe Plaza. Following the tour,lunch and the afternoon are atleisure. This evening we dine at LaCasa Sena prior to Puccini’sMadama Butterfly, a staple of theoperatic repertoire, ranked 6th mostperformed by Operabase; Puccini'sLa bohème and Tosca rank 3rd and5th. 8pm curtain.

Thursday, August 9Today we include another middayconcert at the Santa Fe ChamberMusic Festival. Afterward, weenjoy lunch at nearby La Boca, andthen return to the hotel for oursecond talk with Oliver Prezant.Following dinner at leisure, wereturn to the Santa Fe Opera for aproduction of Rossini’s L’italiana inAlgeri. The opera is notable forRossini's mixing of opera seriastyle with opera buffa. 8pmcurtain.

Friday, August 10This morning we meet our guideJerry once again and join him foran in-depth tour at the GeorgiaO’Keeffe Museum, where he is adocent. This evening we depart fordinner at Joseph’s prior to RichardStrauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos.Combining slapstick comedy andconsummately beautiful music, theopera's theme is the competition

between high and low art for thepublic's attention. 8pm curtain.

Saturday, August 11Late morning we meet and transferto Santa Fe Opera for a backstagetour. Tonight we return to theopera house for a pre-performancebuffet dinner and lecture priorLeonard Bernstein’s Candide. It isvery popular among major musicschools as a student show becauseof the quality of its music and theopportunities it offers to studentsingers. 8pm curtain.

Sunday, August 12 Following a day at leisure, wemeet and depart for our FarewellDinner at The Compound, wherechef Mark Kiffin has chosen tofocus his menu around the trueregional ingredients brought to theSouthwest United States by theSpaniards in the late 16th century.Following dinner, we take ourseats at the opera house one lasttime for Apprentice Scenes, wherethe “Stars of Tomorrow” in theSanta Fe Apprentice Programsperform fully-staged opera scenes.8pm curtain.

Monday, August 13Transfers to Albuquerque or SantaFe Airport are included and will bearranged on-site.

St. Francis Auditorium

Santa Fe Opera House

Georgia O’Keeffe Museum

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Four performances at the Edinburgh International Festival, oneperformance at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, EdinburghFringe Festival, superb local touring, Scotch whisky tastings, golfoptions, Deluxe rooms at the Rocco Forte Balmoral Edinburgh.

AUGUST 14 - 21, 2018

"Edinburgh, a charismatic city full ofstaircases and hills festooned withGeorgian and neo-Classicalbuildings, is well-versed inincorporating the modern into theold. While it has always been an artscenter and a cosmopolitan capital,the city is now turning its vibrantenergy toward creating a newScottish cuisine, a nearly uncountablenumber of craft beers, and design-forward buildings like the ScottishParliament, which stands as thesymbol of the new Scotland.”- New York Times

The Edinburgh International Festivalis an unparalleled celebration of theperforming arts. Inaugurated in 1946by Sir Rudolf Bing of Met andGlyndebourne fame, the festivalpresents some of the finestperformers and ensembles from theworlds of dance, opera, music andtheatre for three weeks in August.We will attend at least fourperformances at the Festival, as wellas a performance at the RoyalEdinburgh Military Tattoo on theworld-famous Edinburgh CastleEsplanade.

You will also have the opportunity totake in events at the EdinburghFringe Festival, which is the world’s

largest arts festival (founded in1947). We will include any eventsthat we deem appropriate and that fit with our schedule.

Plenty of private local touring isincluded—the Royal Mile, HighStreet, Princes Street Gardens,Arthur’s Seat, St. Giles Kirk andParliament House—as well as downtime for exploring on your own.

Of course, no trip to Scotland wouldbe complete without a “wee dram”.We enjoy a whisky tasting and lunchat The Scotch Whisky Experience, acentre devoted to the history anddevelopment of the ambrosia, andwe will also include whiskyexcursions for those wishing topartake. And for those wishing togolf on Scotland’s famous linkscourses, we will offer a post-tourextension that includes St. Andrew’s,Carnoustie and a whisky and golfstay on Islay.

EDINBURGH FESTIVAL& SCOTCH WHISKY

TOUR INCLUDES


• 6 nights luxury accommodation at the Rocco Forte Balmoral

• Full breakfast daily, 2 lunches, 2 dinners and 2 receptions


Cost: $7995 USDSingle supplement: $2000 USDDeposit: $2500 USDBalance due: May 14, 2018

Tour Flights: Ideally, return flightsshould be booked to arrive inEdinburgh early afternoon onAugust 15 with departure on themorning of August 21, unless youhave chosen to include thegolfing/whisky extension on Islay.Please contact us for details.




Edinburgh

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Tuesday, August 14Departures from your country ofresidence for overnight flights.

Wednesday, August 15Arrival in Edinburgh. You are metat the airport and transferred to the5-star, landmark Rocco ForteBalmoral Hotel on Princes Street,the main shopping street, in theheart of the Old City. Dinner isincluded this evening at the Hotel’sMichelin-starred Number 1.

Thursday, August 16Following breakfast, we meet ourguide in the hotel lobby and departon a private tour of the Royal Mile,a stretch of road connectingEdinburgh Castle with HolyroodPalace—the Queen's residence inScotland—and beyond to MaryKing's Close, a warren of hiddenstreets dating back to the 16thcentury. Walking down Edinburgh'sHigh Street could well be thedefinitive tourist experience.People have been flocking to dojust that for the last 700 years, andit might come as something of asurprise that this major visitorattraction is still very much theliving heart of the city. The historyof what was once the most populousstreet in Europe is written on itsstone face, and as you walk alongthe street you can't help but feelcloser to what makes Edinburghtick than anywhere else in the city.

The walk takes you in a straightline from Edinburgh Castle all theway down the hill to the Palace ofHolyroodhouse, passing the majorsights of St. Giles Kirk andParliament House, and on toArthur's Seat in Holyrood Park. Atnoon, we enjoy a private tasting atThe Scotch Whisky Experience,followed by lunch in the AmberRestaurant, on-site. This eveningwe enjoy a performance at theEdinburgh Festival.

Friday, August 17Today we tour Edinburgh's NewTown, which dates to the late 1700sand is one of the finest concentratedareas of Georgian architecture inthe UK. We begin with the PrincesStreet Gardens and then move onto George Street, with its myriadshops and stylish bars. We enjoythe views from Calton Hill and seethe Water of Leith. After the tour,lunch is at leisure, and you willhave the opportunity to explorethe Dean Gallery, part of thecapital National Galleries ofScotland. Catch the shuttle bus toany of the others, including theNational Portrait Gallery or themain National Gallery of Scotland,back on Princes Street Gardens.Entrances are included. Thisevening we meet for a reception(hot/cold buffet) before aperformance at the Royal EdinburghMilitary Tattoo.

Saturday, August 18Today we head to the sea, stoppingalong the way at the marvelousRoyal Botanic Garden for a guidedtour. Then it’s on to Leith, theoriginal port of Edinburgh, once anindependent town in its own right.Here we have lunch in one of thecity's finest pubs. After lunch, wereturn to central Edinburgh via theMeadows, seeing some of the

upscale residential neighborhoods,to get an idea of how Edinburgherslive. This evening we enjoy aperformance at the EdinburghFestival.

Sunday, August 19Enjoy the day at leisure, with abuffet reception prior to aperformance at the EdinburghFestival this evening. Golf: Thosewishing to golf will beaccommodated (we suggest NorthBerwick, Carnoustie or St.Andrew’s). We will require plentyof notice to put this in place.Details available upon request.Whisky: We will offer a day trip tosample the whiskies at Aberfeldy,Blair Athol and Edradour,Scotland’s smallest distillery.Lunch is included. $300 USD perperson.

Monday, August 20Today we take an excursion toDalmeny House, a few milesoutside Edinburgh overlooking theFirth of Forth. The propertybelongs to the Earl of Rosebery,and houses a fine art collection, inparticular British paintings and18th-century French furniture ofthe highest quality. This eveningwe gather for a Farewell Dinnerfollowed by our final performanceat the Edinburgh Festival.

Tuesday, August 21Airport transfers are included andwill be arranged on-site.

Rocco Forte Balmoral

Military Tattoo

6



With Rigoletto, La traviata and Il trovatore in Florence (HotelL'Orologio), Il barbiere di Siviglia in Venice (Baglioni HotelLuna) and Macbeth, Un giorni di regno, Le Trouvère and Attilain Parma (Grand Hotel de la Ville). With access to the Carrara-Verdi family apartments at Sant’Agata and a private receptionwith the famed Club of the 27.

SEPTEMBER 18 - OCTOBER 1, 2018

Our annual pilgrimage to the VerdiFestival in Parma is a trip to thesoul of Italy, and also to the soul ofItalian opera. Parma is thequintessential Italian town wherefood and opera are ways of life.

In 2018, we make the trek a perfectsurvey of Verdi and also the best ofNorthern Italy in every sense. Inaddition to Parma, we visitFlorence, where we hear Verdi’s“Popular Trilogy”—Rigoletto, Latraviata and Il trovatore—all underthe baton of Fabio Luisi, the newMusic Director of the MaggioMusicale Fiorentino. We alsopartake in the some of finest art,cuisine and wine to be hadanywhere.

In Venice, we stay in one of thepremière hotels in one of the mostpicturesque cities on earth. Inaddition to superb city tours (byboat and on foot), and stellarcuisine, including an unforgettabledinner at The Cipriani, we hearRossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia at LaFenice.

Those wishing to extend their staywill have the option of Deluxeaccommodation at the Grand Hotelet de Milan (where Verdi lived anddied) and top category seats forErnani at La Scala.

Join us for one of the finestprogrammes we’ve ever assembledfor Northern Italy.

FLORENCE, VENICE & THEVERDI FESTIVAL IN PARMA

TOUR INCLUDES


• 12 nights deluxe accommodation(4 at the Hotel L’Orologio Florence, 4 at the Baglioni HotelLuna Venice and 4 at the Hotel de la Ville Parma)

• Full breakfast daily, 3 receptions,4 lunches and 6 dinners

• Private tours as listed• Airport-hotel transfers• On-site Tour Direction• Comprehensive Tour Guidebook• Room upgrades by request only,

at additional cost, depending onavailability

Cost: $12,995 USDSingle supplement: $1800 USDDeposit: $3000 USDBalance due: June 18, 2018

Tour Flights: Ideally, flights shouldbe booked to arrive in Florenceearly afternoon on September 19with departure from Parma on themorning of October 1.




Hotel L’Orologio Florence

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Tuesday, September 18Independent departures forovernight flights.

Wednesday, September 19Upon arrival in Florence (FLR),you are met and transferred to theHotel L’Orologio, in the heart ofthe city. After settling into deluxerooms, we meet and depart for aWelcome Dinner at Buca Mario.

Thursday, September 20After breakfast (included each dayof the tour), we meet our excellentguide and tour Florence, includingPonte Vecchio, Piazza Duomo, theChurch of Santa Croce, ending witha visit to the Accademia solely toview Michelangelo's awe-inspiringDavid. We then enjoy lunch at IlVezzo. This evening, we transfer toTeatro del Maggio for a FrancescoMicheli production of Verdi’sRigoletto. Fabio Luisi conducts theOrchestra and Chorus of theMaggio Musicale Fiorentino. Thecast includes Ivan Ayon Rivas andJessica Nuccio.

Friday, September 21Today we tour the highlights of theUffizi, followed by a memorablelunch at Ora d’Aria. We tour thePitti Palace and Boboli Gardens forthose who wish to continue. Thisevening we meet for a cocktailbefore a Micheli/Luisi presentationof Verdi’s La traviata. Cast includesZuzana Markova, Matteo Lippi.

Saturday, September 22Enjoy the day at leisure in Florence.We will offer an optional wineexcursion to Fèlsina in the Chiantiregion, with lunch in Siena. Thisevening we return to Teatro delMaggio for our final Micheli/Luisipresentation: Il trovatore, starringJennifer Rowley, Piero Pretti, andMassimo Cavalletti.

Sunday, September 23This morning we take the highspeed train to Venice, where wetransfer to the Baglioni Hotel Luna,near St. Mark’s Square. We checkin and dress for this evening’sopera, Rossini’s Il barbiere di Sivigliaat La Fenice, in the 150th year afterthe composer’s death. Followingthe performance, dinner isincluded at Antico Martini.

Monday, September 24After a day at leisure, we meet inthe early evening for a walkingtour in Piazza San Marco,including a private visit of theBasilica. Afterwards, we enjoy afun and casual dinner at thecharming osteria Oliva Nera.

Tuesday, September 25Today we tour Venice by boat,returning to the hotel in time forlunch and an afternoon at leisure.This evening we enjoy a privateconcert in the Sala della Musica ofthe famous Ospedaletto, followedby an unforgettable dinner at TheCipriani, on the Venice lagoon.

Wednesday, September 26Enjoy the day at leisure in Venice.

Thursday, September 27This morning we check out anddepart for Parma, stopping inPadua to see the Giotto frescoes inthe Scrovegni Chapel and to havelunch at Belle Parti, our favourite

restaurant in the region. Once inParma, we check in at the Hotel dela Ville. This evening, we transferto Teatro Regio for Verdi’s Macbeth.

Friday, September 28Late morning we tour thehighlights of charming Parma.Late afternoon we depart forBusseto to tour the Casa Barezzi(Verdi Museum) before taking ourseats for Un giorno di regno in thetiny, 300-seat Teatro Verdi.

Saturday, September 29This morning we visit thespectacular Teatro Farnese in thePilotta Palace, and then Toscanini’sbirth house and museum, followedby lunch at Corale Verdi. Thisafternoon, we attend a matinéeperformance of Le Trouvère atTeatro Regio. Afterward, dinner isincluded at Angiol d’Or.

Sunday, September 30Following a morning and lunch atleisure, we meet for a receptionwith the Club of the 27 (Parma’sVerdi fan club extraordinaire) andthen a private reception at theopera house prior to Attila(3:30pm). A Farewell Dinner isincluded at La Duchessa after theperformance.

Monday, October 1Transfers to the airport/railstations are included and will bediscussed on-site.

Hotel Luna Baglioni Venice

Hotel de la Ville Parma

20



Antonio Pappano conducts this Keith Warner Ring at the RoyalOpera House, featuring Nina Stemme, Johannes Martin Kränzle,John Lundgren, Emily Magee, Stefan Vinke and Stuart Skelton.With English National Opera, Royal Albert Hall, the Barbican,Windsor Castle, Hampton Court, the Churchill Museum &Cabinet War Rooms. Firmdale Covent Garden Hotel.

SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 10, 2018

Now that the mortals have joinedthe gods and monsters, the feelingis that Keith Warner's CoventGarden Ring has come into its own.This potent staging of Wagner's DerRing des Nibelungen is remarkablefor the intelligent and focussedexposition of its text and the powerof its imagery. Warner's purpose issharpened—the dramatic leitmotifsare all in place. Yet more significantand thrilling is the way in whichWarner places the ascendancy ofhumankind as a counterpoint to thedemise of the gods. And AntonioPappano and the orchestra rise toevery moment of this mostimpassioned Ring—with heart andsoul.

We will enjoy top category seatingfor all Ring performances and alladditional performances as well.The cast for the Ring includes NinaStemme, Johannes Martin Kränzle,John Lundgren, Emily Magee,Stefan Vinke & Stuart Skelton.

To complement the performanceschedule, we offer several brief andinformative guided tours in andaround the city, including St. Paul’sCathedral and Westminster Abbey,the National Gallery, the Victoriaand Albert Museum, the ChurchillMuseum, his Cabinet War Rooms,and Hampton Court. As always,we will enjoy some of the finestcuisine that this great city has tooffer, and we will also make certainthat tour members have plenty ofleisure time in order to relax orexplore on their own.

Join us for this special Ringexperience.

THE COVENT GARDENRING

TOUR INCLUDES

• Top Category seats for all Ringperformances

• 9 nights deluxe accommodation at the superb Covent Garden Hotel

• Full breakfast daily, 1 lunch, 7 dinners, 1 reception & 1 Afternoon Tea


Cost: $10,995 USDSingle supplement: $2000 USDDeposit: $3000 USDBalance due: June 30, 2018

Tour Flights: Ideally, flights shouldbe booked to arrive at Heathrow orGatwick early afternoon onOctober 1 with departure on themorning of October 10.




Royal Opera House

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Sunday, September 30Departures from North America.

Monday, October 1Upon arrival at Heathrow orGatwick, you are met andtransferred to the Firmdale CoventGarden Hotel. We meet thisevening for a Cocktail Reception(hot & cold buffet) in the Hotel’sDrawing Room (floor above themain floor).

Tuesday, October 2Following breakfast (included eachday) we meet for a guidedhighlights tour of London (bycoach), including St. Paul’sCathedral. Dinner is includedbefore Das Rheingold (Pappano;Lundgren, Kränzle, Connolly,Eiche, Groissböck) 7.30pm curtain.

Wednesday, October 3This morning we meet in the lobbyand make the short walk toTrafalgar Square, including theNational Gallery and BanquetingHouse (the only surviving buildingof the old Palace of Whitehall, withdramatic ceiling by Rubens,celebrating the reign of James I).This evening we enjoy dinner atBocca di Lupo.

Thursday, October 4This morning we tour the Victoriaand Albert Museum, with itssuperb and eclectic collection of artand design. This afternoon we

walk to the Royal Opera House forDie Walküre (Pappano; Skelton,Magee, Lundgren, Stemme,Mellor). 4.30pm curtain. Dinner isincluded during the first interval.

Friday, October 5Today we tour the ChurchillMuseum (where we exploreChurchill’s life and legacy) and theCabinet War Rooms (Churchill’shistoric underground bunker), andthen Westminster Abbey. Dinnertonight is included at Savini,formerly The Criterion, designedby Royal Albert Hall architectThomas Verity in 1873.

Saturday, October 6Today we take an excursion toWindsor Castle to tour the privateapartments and gardens. Lunch isincluded near the famous EtonCollege (an independent school forboys, founded in 1440 by KingHenry VI, as the King's College ofOur Lady of Eton). The evening isat leisure. Tonight we include aperformance at the ENO, theBarbican or Royal Albert Hall ifavailable.

Sunday, October 7The day is at leisure before wewalk to the Royal Opera House forSiegfried (Pappano; Skelton, Magee,Lundgren, Stemme, Mellor).3.00pm curtain. Dinner is includedduring the first interval.

Monday, October 8Today we tour to Hampton Court(once a large barn on the manor ofHampton, which became a vastpalace complex, built by ThomasWolsey in 1514), where we explorethe state apartments. This evening,dinner is included at the recentlyrenovated Simpson’s-in-the-Strand, which had its modest startas a smoking room (Samuel Reiss'sGrand Cigar Divan - in 1828), priorto becoming a large, well-appointed restaurant.

Tuesday, October 9The day is at leisure before lateAfternoon Tea at the Savoy, anenduring custom where guests canchoose from a range of teas servedwith finger sandwiches, homemadescones with clotted cream & jamand a mouth-watering selection ofseasonal cakes and pastries createdby The Savoy’s Executive PastryChef, Ludwig Hely. Following tea,we walk to the Royal Opera Housefor Götterdämmerung (Papano;Vinke, Stemme, Siegel, Lundgren,Kränzle). 4.00pm curtain. AFarewell Buffet is included duringthe first interval, with dessert andcoffee during the second interval.

Wednesday, October 10Transfers are included toHeathrow or Gatwick forhomeward flights, and will bediscussed on-site.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

Cabinet War Rooms

Westminster Abbey

4



Experience three of the most popular cities in the Northwest:Victoria, Vancouver and Seattle. We have one performance inVictoria, two in Vancouver and two in Seattle (including 1 operain each city). Accommodation is at the Fairmont Empress Hotel inVictoria, the Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Vancouver and theFairmont Hotel Olympic in Seattle. Breathtaking scenery, privatelocal touring and fine cuisine is to be had in all three locations.

OCTOBER 11 - 20, 2018

The capital of British Columbia,Victoria has the mildest climate inCanada. One of the oldest cities inthe northwest, Victoria has manycharming buildings, colourfulgardens and fantastic culinaryexperiences from all over theworld. Pacific Opera Victoria (POV)has earned a reputation as one ofCanada's leading opera companies,thanks to its dynamic repertoirechoices, its original productions,and its commitment to creatingmeaningful opportunities for artistsand audiences.

No matter what you choose to doin Vancouver, the Coast Mountainsand Pacific Ocean surround you.It's no wonder the city is one of the

best places to live in the world! Vancouver Opera was founded in1958 by a group of visionarycommunity leaders who believedin the value of the performing arts,and who recognized the power ofopera to connect people to theuniversal human drama.

Seattle lies on a narrow strip ofland between the salt waters ofPuget Sound and the fresh watersof Lake Washington. Beyond thewaters lie two rugged mountainranges, the Olympics to the westand the Cascades to the east. Seattleis proud of its arts and culturalinstitutions, the many live theaters,the downtown art museum and,above all, the beauty of its city.

VICTORIA, VANCOUVER& SEATTLE

TOUR INCLUDES


• 9 nights deluxe accommodation (3 at the Fairmont Empress Victoria, 3 at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia Vancouver and 3 at the Fairmont Olympic Seattle)

• Full breakfast daily, 3 lunches, 6 dinners and 1 Afternoon Tea

• Private tours as listed• Airport-hotel transfers, First-Class

rail journey to Seattle• On-site Tour Direction• Comprehensive Tour Guidebook

Cost: $8995 USDSingle supplement: $1350 USDDeposit: $2500 USDBalance due: July 11, 2018

Tour Flights: Ideally, flights shouldbe booked to arrive in Victoriaearly afternoon on October 11 withdeparture from Seattle on themorning of October 20.




Vancouver

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Thursday, October 11Upon arrival in Victoria, you aremet and transferred to the FairmontEmpress Hotel, where your Deluxeroom awaits. The Empress is aCondé Nast Readers' Choice andGold List hotel, and has been afixture on the Inner Harbour since1908. This evening we meet fordinner in the hotel’s Q Restaurant,featuring some of the best PacificNorthwest cuisine.

Friday, October 12After breakfast (included eachday), we tour the city, includingthe Legislative Assembly, wherethe Parliament of British Columbiasits, and also Craigdarroch Castle.Following lunch at leisure, weexplore Butchart Gardens, a groupof floral display gardens just outsideof town. The gardens receive closeto a million visitors each year andhave been designated a NationalHistoric Site of Canada. Followingour tour, we sit down for an elegantdinner in the Butchart GardensDining Room, named one of thetop 100 restaurants in Canada byOpenTable.

Saturday, October 13Enjoy the morning at leisure inVictoria. There are many quaintshops in the Inner Harbour, andeven a stroll along the waterfrontwould be lovely. Late afternoon weenjoy Afternoon Tea at the Empressprior to a performance at PacificOpera (TBA).

Sunday, October 14Today we check out and take theferry to Vancouver, stopping totour Stanley Park and cityhighlights along the way. Ideallysituated on a peninsula at thenorthwestern edge of downtownVancouver, Stanley Park is one ofthe city's main tourist destinations,attracting approximately 8 millionvisitors each year. We then check inat the Rosewood Hotel Georgia.This historic 90-year-old propertynear the Vancouver Art Galleryfeatures grand public spaces, asaltwater lap pool, spa, fitnesscentre and, multiple diningoptions. This evening we dine atBlue Water Cafe.

Monday, October 15Today we enjoy a city highlightstour, including the University ofBritish Columbia campus, with itsJapanese garden, and ending at theVancouver Art Gallery. Lunch isincluded at Five Sails, with sweepingviews of Vancouver’s Inner Harbourand Coastal Mountains. Thisevening, we attend a performance atthe glorious Orpheum Theatre by theVancouver Symphony Orchestra,under the direction of BramwellTovey.

Tuesday, October 16Enjoy the day at leisure inVancouver. We suggest a strollthrough Chinatown, one of thelargest in North America, or sometime on Granville Island, or a

scenic walk along the seawall inStanley Park. This evening we dineat the hotel’s superb HawksworthRestaurant before a performance atVancouver Opera (TBA).

Wednesday, October 17Today we take a scenic First-Classrail journey (4 hours) to Seattle(lunch is included on-board),where we check in at the FairmontHotel Olympic. Located in thecenter of Seattle's downtown, thehotel still reflects the same degreeof elegance and civic pride seen atits opening in 1924. This eveningwe enjoy a city highlights tour onour way to dinner at Canlis, one ofthe best restaurants in America.

Thursday, October 18This morning we scour the city forsuperb art and architecture,including the glass work by DaleChihuly. Lunch is included atLoulay. This evening, we transferto Benaroya Hall for a performanceby the Seattle Symphony (TBA).

Friday, October 19The final day in Seattle is at leisure.This evening we enjoy a FarewellDinner at Purple Cafe and WineBar before a performance by theSeattle Opera at McCaw Hall (TBA).

Saturday, October 20Departures to SEA/TAC or railand ferry terminals are includedand will be arranged on-site.

Rosewood Hotel Georgia

McCaw Hall

Orpheum Theatre

e offer unique, exclusive, luxury travel, for opera and the arts, to the most spectacular destinations in theworld. Our personal approach to opera travel sets us apart from the competition. Tours are designed creatively,like a composition, with a focus on themes such as architecture and literature to augment the performanceschedule. The generous inclusion of superb cuisine and wine, alongside the compassion and expertise of our TourDirectors, make us the distinctive choice for luxury opera travel.

Small GroupsGroups are small, limited in most cases to sixteen members, assuring personal and attentive service, and makingfor an intimate and memorable experience. We ensure that, as a member of one of our groups, your travel needsand desires will be attended to with utmost care, compassion, patience and professionalism.

Distinguished HotelsOur hotels are 5-star properties (and occasionally, when ideal, 4-star), thoroughly researched, inspected, andalways highly-rated and highly-recommended. We prefer small luxury hotels, selected for their elegance andcharm, for their superb location, for the size and quality of their rooms, for the warmth and efficiency of the staff,and for the overall experience they provide. In most cases, we secure deluxe category rooms for our tourmembers.

Ideal Performance SeatingOur seats for performances and events are always superb. Seats between the 6th and 15th rows in the centralorchestra section of most venues are ideal for opera. Where preferable, we may select boxes or front row grandtier, depending on the venue. Whether you join us for a tour that features performances at Bayreuth, La Scala,Glyndebourne or the Lyric Opera in Chicago, you will have excellent seats.

Professional, Compassionate Tour DirectionWe take care of all arrangements for your travel experience and we are there with you, taking care of you everystep of the way. Our Tour Directors are the best in the business, most with at least a dozen years of experience. Allare knowledgeable, professional, warm and friendly, and focussed on the needs of each individual tour member.

Expert GuidesOur guides are local and esteemed experts in their fields—art historians, musicologists, archaeologists, authors.They are carefully selected for their knowledge of each subject and location, and also for their ability to entertainand connect with tour participants. We believe that guiding is a performance, and should be as scintillating as it isinformative.

Superb Meals and WineWe believe that partaking in the very best local cuisine and wine (or whatever the preferred local distillate may be)is an important part of the tour experience. We therefore spend a great deal of time researching restaurants, andhave found what we think are the very best in each city. This does not always mean the most expensive restaurant(though it may), but it always means a restaurant selected for exquisite, traditional, regional cuisine, ambienceand gracious service. In many cases, these are “hidden gem” restaurants not frequented by tourists. On occasion,we dine in historic or Michelin-starred restaurants that are well known (and for good reason). In all cases, wehave long-established relationships with these restaurants, which guarantees preferential service for our groups.

THE ARIA EXPERIENCE

W

"We wanted to go on record with our praise for what you did to make our experience in Italy so great. While the wondersof Rome may have had something to do with it, this was clearly the most satisfying group travel we have done, with thiskind of tour or any other; and your personal engagement had a lot to do with that; your attention to details, your concernfor everyone’s well-being and your overall positive spirit made all the difference.”

— C & M

We are located inAlmonte, Ontario

Canada

Current number ofsatisfied travellers

59%women

45%couples

53%repeatclients

55%singles

6avg. # of U.S. tourseach year

26most tourstaken by 1

client

2

9

2311

7

1235

80

12

3

hotels usedworldwide(59 are 5-star, 14 are 4-star)73

pertouraverage

docents or private guides

numberof annualtours

11

26

6top category seatsreserved each year

2080

22averagenumberof arias

heard pertour

average number of includedmeals per tour (including Michelin-starred restaurants)

15

hours of privatelocal touring

24%

33%

20%

15%

8%

watchingopera

freetime

sleepingdining

touring

We advertise in publication worldwide

averagecostper seat $300

15

average cost perbottle of wine

$80

Aria Tours At A GlanceNumber ofemployeesin the Aria Tours office

Our thoughts are with Houston, and at last report, the Houston GrandOpera stage was under water. This tour has been cancelled.

Wishing a safe and timely recovery to our neighbours south of the border.

Documents

AriaLogo 8010050 - Aria Tours · The Semperoper Dresden is an uninhibitedly grand structure which looms over the vast Theaterplatz. The first Semperoper, built by Gottfried Semper