The Amman Opera Festival will launch its fourth edition on Wednesday and Friday, presenting the iconic Verdi opera “La traviata.”

The festival, the first of its kind in the Arab world, will be held at the Amman Academy Theatre, under the patronage of Princess Muna Al-Hussein.

“La traviata” tells a tragic love story set against the cruelty of 19th century European high society.

Starring Jordanian soprano Zeina Barhoum and Italy’s Riccardo Gatto as lead singers, the performance will be accompanied by the Italian Piacenza Opera House Choir, the Terre Verdiane Orchestra and musicians from Jordan.

Amman Academy Director Yasmin Nassif expressed the organization’s pride in hosting the festival, Jordan News Agency reported. Nassif said that the academy established its theater to provide a venue for artists and academics to showcase their creativity.

Conductor Massimo Taddia, director Riccardo Canessa and Gatto also expressed their excitement to be part of the event, adding that it will contribute to the orchestra’s friendship with Jordanian stakeholders.

Barhoum said that plans are in the works for a performance based on Petra — presented in Arabic, English and the ancient Nabataean dialect — for the festival’s fifth edition in 2023.

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