Opera Niagara

The Opera Festival of Niagara is sharing in global celebration of the 100th anniversary of mega-composer Giacomo Puccini, but did you know that our connection to him goes much deeper? Our General Director, Dr. Maria Vetere was friends with Puccini’s granddaughter and universal heir, Dr. Simonetta Puccini who passed in 2017. Dr. Puccini was a brilliant woman and a force of nature. She devoted a large part of her life to protecting and promoting her grandfather’s legacy and his home, the Villa at Torre del Lago, Italy. Having met her in 2013, Simonetta and Maria shared many written correspondence and phone calls, conversations and Dr. Vetere even performed in Puccini’s home with colleague accompanied on the Maestro’s own piano in a private recital at the Villa. Many of the performers in OFON have visited Puccini’s home along with Dr. Vetere and so our production of Le Villi is extra special. To learn more about Puccini’s life and art, grab your favourite beverage and come hear Dr. Vetere speak on Tuesday, July 2nd at 7:30pm at the Niagara Falls History Museum in the Zavitz Theatre.