A Verona This Weekend: Notre Dame de Paris at the Arena, Rice Fair and Pearà Festival

The first weekend of October brings to Verona one of the most anticipated titles of the season and two classics of local food and wine culture.

Notre Dame de Paris at the Arena

From Thursday to Sunday, Verona's Arena hosts the return of "Notre Dame de Paris," Riccardo Cocciante's popular opera adapted from Victor Hugo's novel, as reported by Corriere del Veneto. On stage Giò Di Tonno plays Quasimodo, Vittorio Matteucci as Frollo, Graziano Galatone in the role of Phoebus and Elhaida Dani as Esmeralda, directed by Gilles Maheu. The program features the musical's most famous songs, from "The Time of the Cathedrals" to "Bella," from "Living to Love" to "The Bells." After its Italian debut in 2002 and arrival at the Arena that same year, the show has been performed in the amphitheater 45 times until 2022, in front of over 400,000 spectators.

Rice Fair at Isola della Scala

The 58th edition of the Rice Fair continues at Isola della Scala, dedicated to Riso Nano Vialone Veronese Igp. The program, as highlighted by Corriere del Veneto, includes risottos and rice-based specialties, contests, music and events related to the local area.

Pearà Festival

The ninth edition of the Pearà Festival takes place in San Giovanni Ilarione, dedicated to the traditional Veronese sauce. Throughout the weekend the program combines gastronomy, music and entertainment.