9-15 July 2005. Conducted by Donato Renzetti, directed by Renzo Giacchieri, with Carla Maria Izzo, Barbara Di Castri, Roberto Aronica. Terme di Caracalla, Via delle Terme di Caracalla.

During the month of July in Rome, there will be a number of shows united by the theme of la voce umana, the voice. To begin with, the Teatro dellOpera starts its summer season in the splendid setting of the ancient Baths of Caracalla. The season only has two great repertory titles in its programme. The first is Madame Butterfly by Puccini (9-15 July) conducted by Donato Renzetti, with Renzo Giachieris direction and with Carla Maria Izzo, Roberto Aronica and Giovanni Meoni as the protagonists. Next is Aida by Verdi (23 July-4 Aug): a classic of the open-air season because of the spectacular nature of the triumphant scene in the second act. The opera returns to Rome in great style after several years, with nine performances and with Placido Domingo not singing but conducting for the first three nights (23, 24 and 27 July). Various singers will alternate as the protagonists, amongst whom are celebrated names of the international opera scene: Sylvie Valayre, Mariana Pentcheva and Juan Pons. Paolo di Nicola