Arena di Verona Comes to London: A Moment of Pure Theatre at Journeys United Kingdom 2026

There are experiences you attend, and then there are those you feel.

At Journeys United Kingdom 2026, we are honoured to welcome Arena di Verona — one of the most iconic opera institutions in the world — for an evening that promises to be truly special.

Set within the Pompadour Room at the Café Royal Hotel, this will not simply be a performance. It will be a moment of atmosphere, emotion, and beauty — the kind that stays with you.

A setting that elevates the experience

The Pompadour Room at Café Royal is, quite simply, breathtaking.

Rich in detail, with its signature gold-leaf interiors and timeless elegance, it creates a setting that feels both intimate and grand. The room carries a sense of occasion before anything has even begun — the perfect backdrop for what is to come.

It is exactly the kind of space where Journeys moments come to life. Where the environment itself becomes part of the experience.

Bringing Verona to London

Guests will be welcomed into the evening with a short introduction, setting the tone for what follows.

We are honoured to welcome Cecilia Gasdia, General Manager of Fondazione Arena di Verona and an internationally acclaimed soprano who has performed on the world’s most prestigious stages, from La Scala to the Metropolitan Opera in New York.

She will share a brief introduction to the Arena di Verona and present the 2026 Arena Opera Festival — offering guests a direct connection to one of Italy’s most iconic cultural institutions.

The evening then moves into its most powerful expression.

Two opera singers will perform a selection of arias, accompanied at the piano by Ms. Gasdia herself — a rare and intimate moment that brings both leadership and artistry together in the same space.

More than a performance

This is not about sitting back and observing.

It is about being immersed. Feeling the energy in the room, the connection between performers and audience, and the shared experience that brings everyone together in that moment.

It reflects everything Journeys stands for — creating spaces where people connect not just through conversation, but through emotion and memory.

A fitting close to a remarkable evening

Following the performance, the evening will transition into a more relaxed setting, with a cocktail dinner hosted by Café Royal Hotel.

This shift — from performance to conversation — is intentional. It allows guests to absorb what they have experienced, while continuing to connect in a more informal way.

And in many ways, that is where the magic continues.

A partnership rooted in experience

Arena di Verona is not just a partner. It represents a level of cultural excellence that elevates the entire programme.

To bring even a glimpse of that to London, within such a remarkable setting, is something we are incredibly proud of.

This will be a once-in-a-lifetime moment — not because it is grand, but because it is real, immediate, and deeply felt.

And that is exactly what Journeys is all about.

Ciao ed a presto

Micaela & the Journeys Team