Israel: “The region offers a unique opportunity to see, touch and briefly inhabit the scene of so many of the episodes recounted in the Bible; to reflect upon its heroes and heroines and imagine them in the setting in which they actually lived; to experience, as they did . . . some tiny part of the ‘holiness’ of this Holy Land.”
- The Holy Land, Knopf Guides

The Masada Festival: “An extraordinary event at one of the world’s most breathtaking sites. . . A special production of Verdi’s ‘Jewish Opera’ (Nabucco) with the mountain of Masada as a natural towering backdrop, with special lighting, sound and fire effects.”
- www.nabuccoatmasada.com

Jessye Norman: “Honor in our time”
- Opera Magazine, March ’09

The fortress of Masada is a revered holy site commemorating the sacrifice of a handful of Jewish rebels who defied the legions of Rome in A.D. 70. The dramatic mountain setting on the edge of Israel’s Dead Sea will now be the extraordinary outdoor venue for the country’s inaugural Masada Festival in early June of 2010, when the forces of the Israel Symphony Orchestra of Rishon Le Zion and the Israel Opera Chorus will breathe life into Giuseppe Verdi’s inspiring ‘Jewish Opera’, Nabucco. Great Performance Tours will eagerly embark on our first-ever Tour to Israel for this unique event, which promises to reach the highest performance level with an international cast of proven interpreters – Ukrainian dramatic soprano Dmitra Theodossiou as Abigaille, Russian Verdi baritone Sergey Murzaev as the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar, and Georgian bass Paata Burchuladze as the High Priest Zaccaria. Israel’s dynamic Verdi specialist Daniel Oren will be the conductor for this spectacular production, which will feature ‘special lighting, sound and fire effects’.

During our weekend at Masada, a second performance will be a Festive Concert with Jessye Norman, the legendary American diva. Ms. Norman will perform a selection of her favorite opera arias, lieder, folk songs and spirituals, with the Israel Opera Orchestra conducted by Rachael Worby.

Our week-long immersion in Israel’s history and culture will begin with four nights at Jerusalem’s preferred King David Hotel. In addition to the major sites of Jerusalem and nearby Bethlehem, we will include a sightseeing excursion to Tel Aviv and an innovative program of contemporary dance by the sought-after Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Co. at the Israeli Opera House. Our final three nights will be at the Dead Sea’s Daniel Hotel, which offers easy access to our Masada performances and the opportunity to swim and take advantage of this resort’s spa facilities. Dinner is included each night at the Daniel.

We know we cannot see everything of importance in only a week, but we are confident that you will feel deeply immersed in the Holy Land’s diversified heritage. Among the principal sites will be the Old City of Jerusalem, Manger Square in Bethlehem, the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Dead Sea itself, the caves of Qumran, and the fortress of Masada. Our excursion to Tel Aviv will feature the city’s prominent Bauhaus architecture and a tour of the artists’ quarter in Jaffa’s Old City.

IMPORTANT: This itinerary requires daily walking to Israel’s major sites. You must be able to negotiate uneven terrain without assistance in order to participate in some of our sightseeing. For those who find the program too concentrated, please remember that you are not required to join us every day.

PETRA OPTION:

Immediately following our week in Israel, we are pleased to offer a two-night optional extension (June 6th & 7th) to include a visit to Jordan’s Petra, one of the wonders of the ancient world, returning on June 8th. Please see our detailed description at the conclusion of this brochure.

Saturday, May 29th, departure from New York’s Kennedy Airport at 11:50 pm on El Al Airlines flight #8, arriving at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport at 5:15 on Sunday the 30th. (Or independent travel). Delta and Continental both offer earlier flights, but today is the Sabbath when El Al’s only flight is unusually late. We do recommend El Al for their exceptional security and their personal service, and their return flight on May 6th is the most convenient.

JERUSALEM: May 30th – June 2nd

Accommodations for four nights with a generous Israeli buffet breakfast included at the deluxe King David Hotel, which has remained the queen of Jerusalem’s luxury hotels since its opening in l93l. The optimum location enjoys a spectacular view of the Old City, and the large rooms combine spacious elegance with traditional décor. The landscaped gardens contain a beautiful pool where visitors are grateful to relax during warm weather. The French-style grill, La Régence, is an exceptional restaurant, and 24-hour room service is readily available. The King David is everyone’s first choice in Jerusalem for personal service, convenience to all sites, and historic atmosphere.

MASADA & THE DEAD SEA: June 3rd – 5th

Our accommodations will be for three nights at the Daniel Hotel in Ein Bokek on the shores of the Dead Sea, with buffet breakfast included. This resort/spa hotel has recently completed a major renovation and offers expansive views of the Dead Sea and the area’s magnificent desert and mountains. Swimming at the Daniel is equally convenient in the hotel’s large pool or in the waters of the Dead Sea, while dining facilities include the Lobby Bar, the Scottish Pub and the Poolside Grill. A range of health and beauty treatments are available at the upscale spa. Our reservations include dinner each evening in the hotel’s main dining room, where the Israeli chef Dudu Cohen has earned an enviable reputation.

PETRA OPTION: June 6th & 7th

Sunday, June 6th, mid-morning departure from the Daniel Hotel on the Dead Sea for the roughly seven – hour bus trip to Petra, crossing the Israel/Jordan border at Arava and stopping for independent lunch en route in the Red Sea resort of Eilat and entering Jordan at the Arava crossing . We will arrive in Petra by early evening, with accommodations for one night at the Movenpick Hotel, where dinner is included this evening as well as buffet breakfast on the 7th. The Movenpick, which contains an exotic gift shop, is Petra’s finest hotel.