Arena for all. New for 2026: new workshops with orchestra and dancers

An Arena that is increasingly accessible. "Arena for Everyone" returns this year too — the project dedicated to people with sensory and intellectual disabilities — accompanied by two major new additions: multisensory pathways focused on dance and the orchestra.

From 27 June to 9 September, thanks to the collaboration with Müller, the Festival's Accessibility Partner, there will be 26 evenings and 23 pathways of workshops and multisensory experiences, designed to give everyone the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the emotions of the Arena's performances and of opera. From discovering the secrets of the backstage to consulting opera guides written in Easy to Read language, in accordance with European Union standards.

There are already 800 bookings registered, confirming growing interest and an increasingly wide participation from across Europe. Reflecting the Festival's artistic programme, the accessible performance calendar is spread across 4 productions: Nabucco, La Traviata, Aida in the Zeffirelli production, and Turandot. In parallel, the multisensory pathways are divided into 13 backstage discovery evenings, 6 pathways dedicated to singing, and — new this year — 4 workshops on music, with members of the Orchestra, and dance, with the Arena's dancers.

The journey into the heart of the stage machinery will begin even before the curtain rises. On the evenings of 12, 18 and 23 July, 1, 6, 9, 14, 20, 23, 27 and 30 August, and 3 and 5 September, registered audience members will have the opportunity to access the stage and backstage areas through special guided tours — unique occasions to discover sets, costumes, props, spaces, make-up techniques, and materials. The recently introduced pathways dedicated to singing, offering a close-up look at vocal technique with artists from the Fondazione Arena Chorus, will take place on 16 and 31 July, 8, 21 and 28 August, and 4 September. And this year the sensory journey will explore new directions. The upcoming Festival edition will bring with it further important innovations relating to music and dance, and 4 dedicated evenings will offer a close-up discovery of these two great art forms. Two appointments will be devoted to music — exploring the instruments and sounds of the orchestra — on 18 July and 20 August, in conjunction with Nabucco, and two evenings focused on dance with Aida in the Zeffirelli production, scheduled for 9 and 30 August, to discover first-hand the work of the dancers and the choreographic construction of the performances. Participation is free and open to a maximum of 50 people per evening.

The "Arena for Everyone" initiatives directly involve the artistic and technical staff of Fondazione Arena di Verona, under the scientific coordination of Professor Elena Di Giovanni of the University of Macerata. In addition to the multisensory pathways on designated dates, before each performance digital services and tools are also available, including accessible trailers (with subtitles, narration, translation into Italian, international and German sign language, and image description) and digital programme books. During the opera, live audio descriptions and subtitles are also provided. The digital books replicate the structure of traditional programme notes (synopsis, director's notes, images, and show information), offering simplified texts with adjustable and enlargeable fonts, images and sketches with audio description for blind and visually impaired users, and translation into Italian and international sign language.

Accessibility knows no boundaries: all materials and services are available in 3 languages — Italian, English, and German — to welcome audiences from all over the world. Throughout the Festival, 2,600 seats are reserved for people with disabilities and their companions, in the front rows of the stalls.

For bookings and information, please write to inclusione@arenadiverona.it and visit the website www.arena.it/arena-opera-festival/arena-per-tutti

Information
Press Office Fondazione Arena di Verona

Via Roma 7/D, 37121 Verona - ufficio.stampa@arenadiverona.it

tel. (+39) 045 805.1861-1905-1891-1939 -1847

National and International Press Office Skill & Music 

Firmina Adorno +39 339 6483224 - firmina@skillandmusic.com

Paolo Cairoli +39 331 8361276 - paolo@skillandmusic.com