Since 1913 operatic performances have been given in the Arena of Verona in Summer, with more than 17,000 spectators enjoying the show every evening. 'Aida' is the most popular opera of Verona Festival, the only one performed every year. 'Aida', the masterpiece which gave life to the Opera Festival in the Arena 100 years ago, was presented in two different versions: a revival of the 1913, that was launched with Zenatello singing; and a new one from Catalan theatre group La Fura des Baus.

La Fura opened the Centenary Festival: this version of 'Aida' was completely wacky: fire, inflatable sculptures, an aluminium pyramid assembled by crane, acrobats, mechanical camels, men in orange boiler suits with scarab beetle heads riding bumper cars, flooding the stage to make a lake inhabited by dancers dressed as crocodiles, solar panels… Under the night sky, it was a visual feast. This 'Aida' with its spectacular scenic techniques and technology, was directed by Carlus Padrissa and Àlex Ollé; choreography by Valentina Carrasco; set design Roland Olbeter; costume designer, Chu Uroz. The lighting is the work of Arena veteran, Paolo Mazzon. For Maestro Omer Meir Wellber this was his first time on the podium of the amphitheatre.