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Great Music Masters of Italy: Verdi and Italian Opera
with Robert Greenberg
ITALY
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Milan
Parma Royal Theater
Villa Verdi
Ducal Palace
Verdi Birth House
Starting at $8,495 per person
Get ready to enter the enchanting world of Giuseppe Verdi with renowned musicologist, composer, and The Great Courses professor Robert Greenberg. From the historic city of Parma to the vibrant metropolis of Milan, down every street and around every corner you will find the traces of this region’s passionate love for music. As you traverse Northern Italy, you’ll get to experience first-hand the rich culture and artistic heritage that has shaped some of the most iconic operas ever written, with Professor Greenberg providing insight and guidance into this Italian-born genre along the way. Featuring exclusive access to the homes and haunts of Giuseppe Verdi, an opera lesson with the Verdi Institute, and captivating performances, this experience promises to be a harmonious blend of music, culture, and discovery. Don’t miss out on this musical adventure!
Great Music Masters of Italy: In the Footsteps of Verdi
with Robert Greenberg
DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICING
Highlights
Explore the towns and cities that inspired opera’s most famous composers with guided walking tours and, of course, delicious Italian food.
Travel with Professor Robert Greenberg and gain a deeper understanding of the evolution of opera in Northern Italy
Trace Verdi’s life from his humble beginnings in Le Roncole and Busseto to his philanthropic final years at Milan’s Casa Verdi.
Delve further into the world of opera during a class with a faculty member of the National Institute of Verdi Studies.
Explore the towns and cities that inspired opera’s most famous composers with guided walking tours and, of course, delicious Italian food!
Travel with Professor Robert Greenberg and gain a deeper understanding of the evolution of opera in northern Italy.
Enjoy a private opera lesson with the President of the National Institute of Verdi Studies.
Take in live opera performances at Italy’s premiere opera houses, Teatro Regio di Parma and Teatro La Scala in Milan (performances subject to confirmation).
Highlights
Robert Greenberg
Robert Greenberg is Music Historian-in-Residence with San Francisco Performances. A graduate of Princeton University, Professor Greenberg holds a Ph.D. in Music Composition from the University of California, Berkeley. He has seen his compositions-which include more than 45 works for a wide variety of instrumental and vocal ensembles-performed all over the world, including New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, England, Ireland, Greece, Italy, and the Netherlands.
He has served on the faculties of the University of California, Berkeley; California State University, Hayward; and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and has lectured for some of the most prestigious musical and arts organizations in the United States, including the San Francisco Symphony, the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Van Cliburn Foundation, and the Chicago Symphony. For The Great Courses, he has recorded more than 500 lectures on a range of composers and classical music genres.
Professor Greenberg is a Steinway Artist. His many other honors include three Nicola de Lorenzo Composition Prizes and a Koussevitzky commission from the Library of Congress. He has been profiled in various major publications, including The Wall Street Journal; Inc. magazine; and the London Times.
Journey Expert
Robert Greenberg
Parma City Center
Arrive in Bologna today and transfer to your hotel in the city center of Parma. One group transfer will be provided. Gather with fellow travelers for a welcome dinner at a local trattoria featuring traditional Emilian dishes. Professor Greenberg will share his opening remarks on the program, including some of his best tips and insights from his popular course, How to Listen to and Understand Great Opera.
Included Meal: Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Du Parc, Parma
Verdi's Birthplace
This morning starts with a visit to Casa Barezzi in the nearby village of Busseto, where Verdi’s education was overseen by his greatest patron, a wealthy businessman named Antonio Barezzi. Continue to a guided tour of Casa Verdi in Le Roncole, where the composer was born. Dr. Greenberg will explain how Verdi’s formative years cemented his belief in “sprezzatura”—the art of effortless mastery. Relax for lunch in a restaurant that has been women-owned and operated for over a century with family recipes prepared to order. This evening, enjoy an opera performance as part of the Verdi Festival in Busseto or Parma. (Performance information will be provided closer to departure.)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Hotel Du Parc, Parma
Toscanini Museum
Begin the day with a lecture from Professor Greenberg about the legacy of Verdi and why he is one of Professor Greenberg’s favorite composers. Visit one of Italy’s most prestigious opera houses, the Teatro Regio di Parma. After lunch at la Greppia, which combines the region’s famous produce such as Parmigiano Reggiano and Parma ham with culinary inspiration from across the globe. Afterwards, explore the birthplace of Arturo Toscanini, one of history’s greatest conductors and a sworn champion of Verdi’s work. Situated in the lively Oltretorrente district of Parma, this museum offers a glimpse into Toscanini’s extraordinary life and enduring impact. As you tour the museum, Professor Greenberg explains the relationship between a conductor and their interpretation of a composer’s work. Enjoy the remainder of your evening at leisure in Parma. (Performance as part of Verdi Festival could be scheduled this evening.)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Hotel Du Parc, Parma
Ducal Palace
Bid ciao to Parma and make your way to Milan, with a stop in the city of Mantua. Savor Mantua’s flavors at La Fragoletta, a cozy spot known for its seasonal specialties like tortelli di zucca or risotto alla Pilota. Discover Mantua through Verdi’s eyes on a walking tour of the key locations from Rigoletto, including the Ducal Palace, the Hunchback’s House, and Sparafucile’s Inn. Experience the opera’s dramatic story and key arias with commentary from Professor Greenberg as to why the censors demanded the opera be set in Mantua. In the afternoon, depart for Milan and settle into your accommodations. Enjoy your evening at leisure in the bustling center of Milan. As you have dinner independently, keep Professor Greenberg’s wisdom in mind: “You have to really try to have a bad meal in Italy!”
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Hotel Sina de La Ville
Verdi's Tomb
Start your day at the other famous Casa Verdi, a home for retired musicians and opera singers founded by the maestro himself. Your guided visit provides a unique glimpse into Verdi’s final years and his dedication to supporting fellow musicians. Explore the charming rooms, discover personal artifacts and art collections, and visit the tomb of Giuseppe Verdi. Stop for lunch at a Milanese restaurant that features regional heritage dishes. In the afternoon, embark on an exclusive visit of the Teatro La Scala. Uncover the secrets of the theater from top to bottom as you explore historic boxes—including one for royalty—stage movement mechanisms, the prompter’s box, and get special access to an unforgettable view of the hall from inside the ceiling fixture from which the chandelier hangs. As you move about the theater, Professor Greenberg underscores the importance of the venue in Verdi’s career and popularity. (Visit and locations subject to confirmation based on La Scala rehearsal schedules.) The remainder of the evening is yours to explore the cultural heart of Milan.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Hotel Sina de La Ville
Teatro La Scala
Begin your day with a final lecture from Professor Greenberg. Indulge in a memorable farewell lunch, with a menu brimming with innovative dishes. Spend a relaxed early evening and dinner on your own before returning to the theater for the culminating performance of the program. End your Verdi adventure with a performance at Teatro La Scala (subject to confirmation).
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Hotel Sina de La Ville
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport independently for your flight home.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Hotel Sina de La Ville, Milan
Perfectly situated in the historical Brera district, this four-star hotel is within walking distance of many of Milan’s most prominent sites such as the Milan Cathedral and the main fashion district, Quadrilatero della moda. Being only a few steps away from La Scala Opera House, the Hotel de la Ville will serve as the perfect home-base for your opera journey. The property features a blend of traditional sophistication alongside contemporary amenities including a fitness center, pool and hot tub, business center, bar/lounge, and laundry services. Guest rooms are classically decorated and feature complimentary Wi-Fi and an in-room safe.
StarHotel du Parc
Hotel Du Parc by Starhotels in Parma is a refined four-star hotel set beside Parco Ducale, offering elegant Art Nouveau interiors and a historic façade. Its spacious rooms blend classic charm with modern comfort. Guests enjoy authentic Parma cuisine at the Canova Restaurant, relax at the stylish bar, and benefit from free Wi-Fi, a fitness
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Highlights
Uncover the dynastic ambitions and historical significance of monuments like Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V in Rabat.
Experience the stony landscape of the Agafay Desert on a camel trek, culminating in a breathtaking sunset over the High Atlas Mountains.
Admire the Islamic architecture in Marrakesh, from the grand Koutoubia Mosque and intricate Bahia Palace to the serene beauty of the Ben Youssef Madrasa.
Discover the University of al-Qarawiyyin, the world’s oldest continuously operating university, and engage in a discussion on its profound influence on global scholarship.
Wander through the labyrinthine alleyways of the UNESCO-listed Medina in Fes, where vibrant stalls overflow with textiles, spices, and artisanal crafts.