Twelfth Night, a romantic comedy full of adventure, misadventure, mistaken identity with a little cross-dressing thrown in for good measure, runs at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park from June 10th – Sunday, July 12th, 2009.

Tickets are FREE, and are distributed online (a limited numbers) and in person at the theater (most tickets are distributed at the theater) on the day of the performance.  The ticket line forms early in the morning, and can get REALLY long, so bring some coffee, a good book, and plan to queue up early.  Ticket policies are strictly enforced, so read the rules and make sure you know what is and isn’t allowed, as well get some tips to help you plan the best ways to secure your free tickets.

Twelfth Night will star the beautiful Anne Hathaway is the starring role of Viola.

The Delacorte Theater is located in Central Park.  The closest entrances to the theater are 81st & Central Park West or 7th & Fifth Avenue.

Photo credit:  Bauer Griffin

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Anne Hathaway & Shakespeare in Central Park

Opera and classical music buffs will want to consider this Top 10 list compiled by Frommer’s (read the full article for lots more details):

1. 

   La Scala in Milan, Italy

   Göttingen, Germany – The small Deutsches Theater provides a cozy venue for opera lovers.  The town is also home to  the world’s oldest Baroque music festival, the International Handel Festival.

2. St. Petersburg, Russia – The Mariinsky Theater features classical performances as well as those from Russian composers.  The summer White Nights Festival, featuring opera and classical music, is Russia’s largest public event.
3. Wexford, Ireland – Home to the Wexford Festival, and the recently opened Wexford Operate House.  Little knows performers and operas can frequently be seen here.
4. New York City – You knew this had to be on the list, with its outstanding venues of the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, and the Brooklyn Academy of Music.  There’s music everywhere you turn.
5. Milan, Italy – Another city that was sure to be in the top 10, Milan has a storied history of opera.  Home to La Scala (dating back to the 18th century), you’ll find both classic and innovative productions.
6. 

   Civic Opera House in Chicago

   Paris, France – The city that’s been the inspiration for a number of operas, Paris  offers myriad venues for opera and classical music.  From the gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, to the classic Palais Garnier (the site of Phantom of the Opera), to the modern Opera de la Bastille, you’ll find venues that you’re sure to love.

7. Chicago, Illinois – The Civic Opera House is an architectural beauty (worth a visit even if you’re not an opera buff), and home to the Lyric Opera of Chicago.  The city’s Chicago Opera Theater presents edgier productions in Millennium Park.
8. Stockholm, Sweden –The painstakingly restored 18th century Drottningholm Court Theatre has a brief summer season, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
9. Santa Fe, New Mexico – This one was a surprise to me, as I hadn’t realized how popular the Santa Fe Opera had become.  The high desert landscape has been incorporated into the adobe theater, providing compelling drama onstage and off.
10. Sussex, England – Home to the Glyndebourne Festival Opera, taking place every summer on the estate of its founder, John Christie.  Think of it as a fancy country house party, complete with world class performances.

Source:  Frommer’s

Photo credit:   Both from flickr,  La Scala, Civic Opera House

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Top 10 Travel Destinations for Opera Lovers