The Sferisterio Arena of Macerata, in the Marche region, has become a unique destination for opera lovers of all kinds thanks to its summer calendar of productions enriched by English and Italian subtitles, audiodescriptions, as well as tactile experiences and sign language translation. Located in a region with a long opera tradition, the Sferisterio has taken its mission to a new level and has therefore received much media attention and general recognition for its sensitivity to different needs. The production of materials in English (titles and audiodescriptions) is the result of a collaboration between the Macerata Opera Festival, the University of Macerata, and Montclair State University in New Jersey. The event includes an introduction to Macerata and its splendid arena as opera-imbued places during and beyond the festival, a presentation of the summer 2018 calendar, and an illustration of the special services the Macerata Opera Festival offers to its audience as part of student-faculty projects. The panel also features experts from the opera theater sector who will focus on accessibility as part of the international promotion of the performing arts and of Italian language and culture. A video greeting message by Luciano Messi (Macerata Opera Festival General Manager) and Barbara Minghetti (Macerata Opera Festival Artistic Director) will be shown during the event. Further details and speakers’biographies are available at this link.
