Opera: Attila

by Giuseppe Verdi
Teatro di San Carlo, Naples 2025-04-24 ... 2025-04-27

Attila by Giuseppe Verdi at Teatro di San Carlo: A Concert of Power and Passion

Giuseppe Verdi’s Attila takes center stage in a powerful concert version at the historic Teatro di San Carlo in Naples, offering a unique experience of this intense and stirring opera. Set against the backdrop of the decline of the Roman Empire, Attila tells the story of the infamous King of the Huns, whose invasion of Italy is met with fierce resistance from a Roman general and a brave young woman seeking revenge for her father’s death. Verdi’s score for Attila is filled with fiery choruses, dramatic arias, and impassioned duets that capture the grandeur of ancient Rome and the raw intensity of battle. This concert version, led by the dynamic conductor Diego Ceretta, will allow the audience to focus entirely on the music, revealing the depth and power of Verdi’s compositions in their purest form. With Ildar Abdrazakov in the titular role of Attila, his commanding bass voice brings to life the ruthless yet complex character of the Hun leader, while Sondra Radvanovsky as Odabella and Ernesto Petti as Ezio deliver equally thrilling performances as they navigate a story of revenge, honor, and betrayal.

Teatro di San Carlo, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious opera houses, provides the perfect venue for this concert performance of Attila, immersing the audience in the rich sounds of Verdi’s masterpiece. The concert staging highlights the dramatic force of the music, focusing on the emotional impact of the characters’ inner turmoil and the larger historical sweep of Rome’s struggle against invaders. With a world-class cast and the Teatro di San Carlo Orchestra and Chorus under the baton of Ceretta, this performance promises to be a stirring interpretation of one of Verdi’s early triumphs. Whether you are a seasoned opera-goer or new to Verdi’s work, this performance will transport you back to a time of ancient heroism and barbaric conquest, making it an unmissable event in Naples during the 2024/2025 season.

Travel Package Teatro San Carlo Naples

Music trip to Naples for 3 days / 2 nights with premium tickets for the opera “Attila” at the Teatro San Carlo Naples.
The travel package includes 3 days with 2 nights in one of our selected hotels in Naples and is put together according to your wishes. You can choose between the Essential and Superior packages, request additional nights, and a subsequent program to explore Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast and Italy.

Teatro San Carlo

The San Carlo Theater was built in 1737 and is the oldest opera house in the world. The Italian opera temple San Carlo is a symbol of the city of Naples. Enjoy our music package with a magnificent performance and an exclusive leisure program in Naples. You can select between the essential package and add individual services that we offer with the superior program.
The highlight is an opera or ballet at the famous Teatro San Carlo.

The History of Verdi’s Attila

First performed in 1846 at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice, Verdi’s Attila is based on Zacharias Werner’s tragedy Attila, König der Hunnen and features a libretto by Temistocle Solera, later revised by Francesco Maria Piave. Written during the period of Italian nationalism known as the Risorgimento, Attila reflects Verdi’s early interest in themes of freedom, resistance, and leadership. The opera centers on the titular Attila, a complex character who combines the fearsome ruthlessness of a conqueror with moments of introspection, as he contemplates his destiny and the fate of his people. The opera also explores the moral dilemmas faced by the Roman general Ezio and Odabella, the courageous heroine seeking revenge for her father’s death at the hands of the Huns.

Attila was composed during a time when Verdi was establishing himself as a leading figure in Italian opera, following the success of works such as Nabucco and Ernani. While it may not be as frequently performed today as some of Verdi’s later masterpieces, Attila remains an important part of his early repertoire, showcasing his ability to blend personal drama with historical events. The opera’s themes of resistance and patriotism resonated deeply with 19th-century Italian audiences, who were themselves living through a period of political upheaval. Despite its relative rarity on the modern stage, Attila continues to captivate audiences with its powerful characters, dramatic storytelling, and Verdi’s unmistakable musical brilliance.

The Artists and Creative Team

Lyric drama in a prologue and three acts
Music by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Temistocle Solera and Francesco Maria Piave, after the tragedy Attila, König der Hunnen by Zacharias Werner

Orchestra and Chorus of Teatro di San Carlo
Chorus Master • Fabrizio Cassi

Sung in Italian, with Italian and English surtitles
Running time: approx. 2 hours, with interval

Performed in concert version

Produzione del Teatro di San Carlo

Conductor • Diego Ceretta

Cast

Attila, King of the Hunnes • Ildar Abdrazakov
Ezio, Roman general • Ernesto Petti
Odabella, daughter of the ruler of Aquileja • Sondra Radvanovsky
Foresto, Aquileian knight • Luciano Ganci
Uldino, a young Breton, Attila’s slave • Francesco Domenico Doto
Leone, old Roman • Sebastià Serra

Booking Process

Music trip toNaples for 3 days / 2 nights with premium tickets for the opera “Attila”. The highlight is a visit to the famous Teatro San Carlo on the second evening to experience a magnificent performance in a world-famous environment with global stars. You can select between Essential and Superior Package.

Each travel package will be composed according to your wishes. Follow the booking process:

Select a Date
Press “Add to cart” and “Send Request”
When we receive your booking request, you will get an individual offer with some hotels to choose from. Only after your decision, we send you a travel contract to confirm the booking.
Description of the Essential and Superior Package