Tune In: Marty in the Morning – Marty on Friday morning 17th July!
Join Marty Whelan Live from The Arena di Verona Opera Festival on RTÉ lyric fm Friday 17th July 7am to 10am – LIVE – With The Institute for Culture Travel!
The 103rd Arena di Verona Opera Festival started on the 12th Jun this year – running until 12th September 2026 and once again promises unforgettable performances in one of the world’s most extraordinary venues. The ancient Roman amphitheatre, dating back to the 1st century AD and seating 20,000, has been a celebrated home for opera since the 19th century.
Did you know? In 2025 404,715 spectators attended during the Opera Season, contributing over €315M to the local economy!
The Institute for Culture Travel, firmly established as Ireland’s leading Culture Travel providers, has featured the Arena di Verona Opera Festival in its offering for many years – and this year is the biggest ever attendance at Verona Opera Festival, with multiple trips all summer long, with both groups and individual travellers. Great news indeed for The Institute and for Irish culture vultures too!
Said Caroline Quigley, GM/Director of the Institute for Culture Travel “ we are delighted with this growth, and also with this continued partnership with RTE lyric FM and of course the legendary Marty Whelan.
Our discerning clients listen to RTE lyric FM, and in turn many RTE lyric FM listeners are travelling with us, as the company grows”.
So. Tune in to Marty Whelan this Friday – here’s a little flavour of what you can expect from Verona and Lake Garda on the Show!
Music from Puccini’s La Boheme Retracing the steps of young Mozart’s journey in Verona with a visit to the 18th Century, Sala Maffeiana, where 14 year old Mozart gave a legendary performance in 1770 The Church of St.Thomas Beckett, and a live performance on the famous Bonatti Organ The Giardino Giusti and Due Torri Hotel – which began life in the 14th Century – and guess what – Mozart stayed there with his father! Meetings with the Stars of the Arena di Verona Opera Festival – behind the scene Historic Sirmione on Lake Garda – where we get to see inside the Maria Callas Palazzo ( now in private hands). Sirmione was the golden refuge for the legendary soprano Maria Callas during the 1950s – listen to Cavaliere Michele Nocera, one of the leading experts on Maria Calls and a collector….and we also visit the Castle and the Grotte di Catullo.
Join Marty Whelan live on RTÉ lyric fm from 7am to 10am on Friday 17th July, broadcasting from the festival courtesy of Institute for Culture Travel. The programme will feature highlights from this year’s performances along with interviews, behind the scenes stories and Marty’s inimitable perspective on the magic of Verona.
Where to Listen:
Marty in the Morning – RTÉ lyric fm – Friday 17th July 7am to 10am ( 8am to 11am Italian time)
www.rte.ie/radio/lyricfm/marty-in-the-morning
About Institute for Culture Travel
Institute for Culture Travel (IFC), is Ireland's only dedicated Cultural Travel Provider offering opera, ballet and classical music holidays and tours to cities across the UK, Europe and the US with departures from Ireland. Our opera, music and cultural holidays are designed to provide unique and memorable occasions for people enjoy and appreciate specialising in Opera, Ballet, Music, Art and History. Travel alone, with a friend or with the family, get a group together or join an escorted group tour.
