24 June-27 Aug 2006. This is probably Italys most popular opera festival with opera lovers and tourists arriving from all over the world to experience a magical evening inside the famous Roman Arena. As you walk through the arches at the entrance, you are handed a candle to be lit following precise instructions by the stage director, thus creating, and becoming part of, an incredible oval of light and theatrical awe. The operas on the programme this year are Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni and Pagliacci by Leoncavallo (until 17 Aug), Aida by Verdi (until 27 Aug), Carmen by Bizet (30 June-22 Aug), Tosca by Puccini (15 Jul-25 Aug) and Madama Butterfly by Puccini (5-26 Aug).