Concert at the Lucio Dalla Theater on Friday evening.
“Opera”: a term which, in Sicilian soil, refers to a typical puppet theater or, in the phrase “to make an opera”, how to have a party, make a fuss. And it’s funny to think (but this is our interpretation) that the creators of the Opera Festival wanted to be inspired by this dual value, paying tribute not only to the land on which this event takes place, but also to the sacred right to have fun and create. noise.
Then work: boutique festival, the third edition of which took place from 23 to 27 August, the nerve center of which is the city of Milo on the slopes of Etna.. A beautiful place with undoubted sights, surrounded by unique nature. Nature, which, as we shall see, becomes scenography and stage. Nature to be known and preserved.
Opera owes its birth to the Catania-Bologna axis: the intention of a group of friends passionate about music and the arts to create a relatively new reality – especially in Italy. An event far from the hustle and bustle of big music events, but at the same time far from the pretentious (and expensive) attitude that some boutique festivals take. Indeed, the atmosphere you breathe in Opera is that of a meeting place with friends.between the almost sleepy relaxation of daytime concerts and the assertive rhythms of evening and night performances.
The music selection clearly deviates from electronic, but there are examples of songwriting (Generic Animal) and admixtures from other genres such as hip-hop and ambient (Lyzza, Rachel Lyn). First of all, the motto is experimentation.. So this is your bread if you are curious and enjoy “alternative” realities. If out of curiosity you want to take a look at the composition, here it is.
In the ballroom, look up!
In the four days of the festival (plus the Wednesday night opening), we moved on from daytime gigs. under the magical Ilicice di Carrina, a monumental holm oak that is over seven hundred years old., to the ballroom nestled in the forest between Milo and Zafferana Etnea, with tall trees illuminated by colored lights, to an almost touching awakening concert (at 5:30 am) in the vineyard of I Vigneri 1435 and the arrival of the performances at the Teatro Lucio Dalla, an amphitheater under open-air, located on both sides of Piazza Belvedere in Milo, and then a follow-up show at the Punto Opera House. So, to fully enjoy this experience, the ideal solution would be to stick to programming as much as possible. It doesn’t matter if you don’t get enough sleep for a few days.
It goes without saying that if you decide to take part in such an event, you will do it not only for the sake of music. And a relaxed approach prevails it allows you to carve out moments to enjoy the local gastronomy: if you want tradition, aim for the 4 Archi tavern, for example, the presidium of slow food, which we are told was the favorite of maestro Battiato; If you are interested in unusual and more modern approaches, almost surreal in nature, here is the Casa Lawa guest house and kitchen, followed by celebrities such as Gigi Hadid.
Or, again, the simplicity of a rustic takeaway: we tried Putialab on Via Etnea, and we assure you it’s worth it (parmigiana di melanzane stre-pi-to-sa). If you want a breakfast that couldn’t be more typical, try the classic granita with a muffin.: we were lucky to intercept a food truck at dawn and thus cheer up with the first rays of the sun.
Creative and family atmosphere of Casa Lawa.
And again, while you’re there, it would be crazy not to try the hike to the volcano that towers over everything: recommendation – refer to serious specialized manualswho know the territory and its unpredictability well, with which you can build a path with different times (and difficulties).
In anticipation of the fourth edition we recommend that you purchase a full program membershipA: The cost is not excessive and therefore allows you to participate in the activities you prefer with maximum freedom. And also with a certain amount of flexibility: given the difficulty of quickly reaching certain specific locations, sticking to a single action can be counterproductive.
Let’s move on to the logistics: given the relatively small size of the event and the particularities of the area, it is unthinkable to have large vehicles that take on the transport of the public (there is also the fact that those who arrive in Milo, as a rule, do). on their own). Therefore, parking is available at strategic points, from where small shuttles then leave., mostly on call, that run from there (or downtown in some cases) to concert venues. Just a note: given the hypothetical growth of the event, it would make sense to consider a more regular shuttle system – including to keep the shuttle drivers from going crazy -: more of the same and a clearer schedule.
In Piazza Belvedere in Milos, there is a gem: a bronze statue dedicated to Lucio Dalla and Franco Battiato.
To avoid a lot of travel, we recommend staying in the heart of Milo (which, because the town is small, requires some advance booking) or, if you prefer a more exciting experience, inform you about campsites organized by the organizer of the event. For all questions and concerns, there is always an information point open in Piazza Belvedere – an extremely responsive staff is waiting for you, as well as official merchandising and real goodies on vinyl.
Last note for the partygoers: even in regards to drinks, the approach is very casual. No tokens, wristbands or similar amenities, just simple bars where you pay directly for what you consume (positive and sustainable detail: bail glasses with logo), thanks to the fact that you will never meet huge crowds.
Sustainability from Plenitude
Photo by Andrea Nicotra.
News, ideas, trends, technologies, materials and protagonists: everything you need to know about the world of watchmaking.
Between one event and another, from one venue to another, we noticed a constant: a small green logo that popped up almost everywhere: on speakers, generators, tables. It was none other than the logo of Plenitude, Eni’s Benefit, event partner and symbol. about how the need to organize events with minimal environmental impact is becoming more acute and relevant. And not only because of the number of people who allow it, and because of the connection with the territory, but also because, if it is possible, what reason would there be to do otherwise?
Plenitude’s intervention in this event has been concrete and step by step, edition by edition, strives to be as definitive as possible. Thus, the intervention is not limited only to the event, but also to the reconstruction of the energy sector and the city. as a result, a photovoltaic system was installed in the Milo Municipal Library, which, thanks to the company, will also undergo restructuring and become a creative center and a space for collaboration; and again in the installation of electric vehicle charging stations and in the supply of solar generation for some of the planned activities. In addition, with the support of K-Way, another sponsor of the event, Plenitude focused on the importance of a local natural resource such as chestnut forests and the work of local wood craftsmen, through workshops and workshops that also led to the production of outdoor furniture that will remain for the benefit of the townspeople.