Jerusalem kicks off Opera Festival in June

Jerusalem will host its Second Annual International Opera Festival, featuring performances by world-renowned vocalists and musicians taking place around its Old City historic sites, in June and September. In collaboration with the Israeli Opera, the festival will include a selection of opera, vocal and classical musical concerts in the Sultan’s Pool beneath the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem, including: Verdi’s La Traviata in Zedekiah’s Cave, June 6-14: A 60-minute performance highlighting Verdi’s legendary work featuring members of the Israeli Opera and local musicians. La Bohème, Sept. 6: A performance of Puccini’s most popular opera featuring international soloists, including Ira Bertman, Roberto Aronica and Boaz Daniel, as well as the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra and a children’s chorus. Pretty Woman Meets The Fifth Element, Sept. 8: A multi-media production featuring opera arias and duets accompanied by the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra and projected visuals from a variety of movies including “Pretty Woman,” “Moonstruck,” “The Fifth Element,” “Amadeus” and “A Room with a View,” among others. Cantors and Tenors, Sept. 10: A concert featuring leading international cantors and opera tenors, including Dudu Fisher, Benzion Miller, Jacob Motzen and Yotam Cohen accompanied by the Jerusalem Great Synagogue Choir. “The Jerusalem International Opera Festival will inspire travelers and music lovers from around the world to visit the Old City of Jerusalem," said Haim Gutin, Israel Commissioner for Tourism, North and South America. "The festival is sure to create an extraordinary musical environment unlike any other.” For more information, visit www.jerusalem-culture.com/Opera_Festival%20. For more information on travel to Israel, visit www.goisrael.com.