Turandot at the Verona Arena: celebrating the centenary at the Colomba d’Oro

On June 12th, the curtain will rise at the Verona Arena to inaugurate the 103rd Arena Opera Festival. Among the masterpieces on this year’s program, a legendary anniversary stands out, just steps from the Colomba d’Oro: the centenary of Turandot.
Giacomo Puccini’s final masterpiece will return to the Arena’s grand stage 100 years after its world premiere, which took place—just months after the artist’s death—at Milan’s Teatro alla Scala on April 25, 1926.

The Centenary of Turandot: A Historic Event at the Verona Arena

The centenary of Turandot has huge symbolic significance. On the night of its premiere, Maestro Arturo Toscanini interrupted the performance at the exact point where Puccini was struck by death, addressing the audience with memorable words: “Here ends the opera, because at this point the Maestro died”.

Today, a century later, Turandot is shining under the stars and the spotlights of the Verona Arena, confirming its status as one of the most iconic titles of the summer of 2026. The connection between Puccini’s masterpiece and the Verona Arena is deeply rooted: since 1928, when it premiered in Verona with a production by Ettore Fagiuoli, this opera has been performed for 23 seasons and over 150 performances, becoming a cornerstone of the Arena’s repertoire. The version that will be staged in this centennial year is the most beloved, created by Maestro Franco Zeffirelli in 2010, and characterized by a monumental allure that makes it even more spectacular. Maestro Zeffirelli was 87 when he created it, and this was his fourth Turandot: he had a first in 1983 at Teatro alla Scala, followed by three different productions at the MET in New York.

What is the plot of Turandot?

Turandot tells the story of a cruel princess who subjects her suitors to three deadly riddles. Prince Calaf manages to solve them all, and in turn he challenges the princess to discover his name. After the famous aria “Nessun dorma” (“All’alba vincerò…”), Turandot’s icy heart finally thaws, revealing the stranger’s true name to be « Amore » (“Love.”)

Turandot is an unusual opera because it doesn’t end in tragedy like almost all others: the happy ending offers hope and love in a blaze of astonishing music that makes the entire opera a magnificent sight.

When will Turandot be performed at the Verona Arena in 2026?

Attending this performance in the amphitheater near the Colomba d’Oro, a 4-star hotel in the very heart of Verona, means experiencing a colossal opera of extraordinary visual intensity. Zeffirelli’s direction is based on monumental sets and choral masses, vibrating among the Roman stones. Turandot performances at the 2026 Arena Opera Festival are scheduled for the following dates:

• August 7, 2026;

• August 14, 2026;

• August 21, 2026;

• August 27, 2026;

• September 3, 2026 and

• September 11, 2026.

For the full experience, the Colomba d’Oro, a 4-star hotel in the heart of Verona, is the perfect deal: this hotel with private parking right in the center of Verona is just a few steps from the arches of the Verona Arena.

Here, right after the excitement of the show, guests can retreat to their luxurious rooms in the center of Verona, enjoying peace and comfort.

You can also give this experience as a gift, thanks to the Colomba d’Oro gift cards: the recipient can use it to experience the centenary of Turandot at the Verona Arena in total relaxation and luxury.

FAQ

Why attend Turandot 2026 at the Verona Arena?

Maestro Zeffirelli’s production is considered the “Gold Standard” for the Verona Arena, transforming the stage into a glittering imperial city, thanks also to the costumes by Oscar-winning Emi Wada. As is typical of Zeffirelli’s style, it is a blockbuster production with grandiose sets, meticulously crafted down to the smallest detail, and featuring a multitude of artists whose movements are clean and orderly, never chaotic: a masterpiece.

Can you hear the opera arias from the Colomba d’Oro?

As the Colomba d’Oro is the closest 4-star hotel to the Verona Arena, the soft reverberation of opera arias sung in the Arena can sometimes be heard from some rooms. However, this can only be heard from an open window (or from the balcony). Otherwise, thanks to state-of-the-art soundproofing, absolute silence is guaranteed for those who wish to rest while the opera is still in progress.

How to reach the Colomba d’Oro by car

Although the Colomba d’Oro is located in the heart of Verona’s historic center, within the ZTL (limited traffic zone), guests enjoy free access. There’s no need to provide your license plate in advance: upon arrival at the hotel, during check-in, the reception staff will record your license plate and communicate it to the city authorities. The Colomba d’Oro also features a private garage, allowing you to leave your car and get around comfortably on foot, avoiding traffic and parking. Garage space is limited, so we recommend requesting it when booking, or as soon as possible.

How many rooms does the Colomba d’Oro have?

The Colomba d’Oro has 50 rooms divided into different categories: superior, classic double, balcony double, and single. Unlike standardized hotels of big chains, here each room here is one of a kind: with custom-made furnishings, handmade finishes, and original works by local artists and craftmen, evoking a romantic atmosphere of times gone by. Each room offers something personal and unexpected: some rooms have a terrace, others a walk-in closet, some bathrooms have a shower, others a bathtub, some have both.

Where to eat before a show at the Verona Arena?

For those looking for a night of music and fine dining, the Colomba d’Oro recommends Ristorante Torcolo, right across the street from the hotel entrance, or Ristorante Caffe Vittorio Emanuele, in Piazza Bra, right in front of the Arena, or Trattoria Casa Vino, a five-minute walk from both the hotel and the Arena. The hotel is also surrounded by many of the city’s most famous and traditional restaurants, all easily accessible on foot (or by bike, which can be rented at the hotel).