Poster for Aida opera at Masada
Poster for Aida opera at MasadaIsrael news photo: Israel Opera

Forty journalists from 10 countries are preceding thousands of opera lovers preparing to descend on the Masada Fortress for a rendition of the Aida, the so-called “Jewish Opera” by Verdi, following last year’s first opera at the site overlooking the Dead Sea.

Video: Preparations for last year's grandiose opera production at Masada:

Part of the 2011 Israeli Opera Festival at Masada and Jerusalem, Aida is Verdi's grandest opera of an improbable love story of an Ethiopian princess and an Egyptian army officer.

It  will be conducted by Daniel Oren, with the plateau of Masada as a towering natural backdrop, with special lighting, sound and fire effects, and with international opera singers, the Israeli Opera Chorus and the Opera Orchestra – The Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeTzion.        

Guest journalists include, among others, magazine editors, columnists and senior journalists from daily papers and magazines specializing in the arts and leisure, tourism and music.

The Tourism Ministry is anxious for them to spread the good word about Israel, and they will be touring other sites in Israel, particularly Jerusalem.

Last year, a similar number of foreign journalists covered the first Israeli Opera Festival with the opera Nabucco staged at the foot of Masada. ”The positive coverage provided another aspect to Israeli tourism and culture, presenting an additional touring option that combines world-class culture with touring in Israel,” the ministry stated Tuesday.  

Last year, a record number of 3.45 million incoming tourists visited Israel.