MILAN'S LA SCALA OPERA HOUSE BRINGS VERDI'S REQUIEM AND AIDA TO TEL AVIV

Maestro Daniel Barenboim will conduct Milan's prestigious La Scala Opera House company in a unique outdoor opera series highlighting Tel Aviv's year-long centennial celebrations. Verdi's Requiem will be presented on July 16th in Hayarkon Park and Aida will run from July 14-22 at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center.

ANCIENT DOCUMENT RECOVERED IN ISRAEL

A 2,000-year-old papyrus document was recovered last month by the Israel Antiquities Authority in Jerusalem. The document bears legal instructions for a widow's transfer of property to her brother-in-law and is believed to be written in a style of ancient Hebrew associated with the Dead Sea Scrolls.

GALA PRODUCTION OF VERDI'S NABUCCO NEXT YEAR AT MASADA

In honor of its 25th anniversary, the Israeli Opera will present "Opera Weekend at the Dead Sea," from June 3-5, 2010. A special sunrise performance of Verdi's Nabucco will be directed by world-renowned Israeli conductor Daniel Oren and feature Georgian opera singer Paata Burchuladze. The production will be elaborately mounted at the foot of Masada.

ISRAEL RELEASES POPE BENEDICT XVI STAMP COLLECTION

Israel has issued a commemorative "Israel Welcomes Pope Benedict XVI" stamp collection in honor of the Pope's pilgrimage to the Holy Land last month. The series features scenes of the Pope visiting holy sites throughout Israel.

THE 17TH INTERNATIONAL HARP CONTEST IN ISRAEL

The 17th International Harp Contest (October 6) will showcase world-renowned musicians from more than 18 countries in Tel Aviv-Yafo and Jerusalem. Maestro Zubin Mehta will oversee the contest which includes performances of works by Beethoven, Caplet and Bach as well as Ginastera's Concerto for Harp and Orchestra.

TWO NEW ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES IN JERUSALEM

Two new archaeological artifacts have been discovered during recent excavations around Jerusalem. A First Temple-era Hebrew seal was recovered in the City of David, and an ancient jar handle bearing the Hebrew name "Menachem" was unearthed on the outskirts of the Old City.

FORMER BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR VISITS TEL AVIV

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair stayed at the Dan Tel Aviv last month. Blair was in Tel Aviv to receive the prestigious Dan David Prize for his outstanding leadership and social contributions.

NEW ART EXHIBIT AT TEFEN OPEN MUSEUM IN WESTERN GALILEE

A Line of Tohu, the third installation series by Israeli artist Danielle Sheinman, opened this month at the Tefen Open Museum in the Western Galilee. Sheinman's new exhibit features a collection of black-and-white abstract paintings and mixed-media sculptures on canvas, graphite, wood and plaster.

NEW FIVE-STAR HOTEL OPENING IN JERUSALEM

The Mamilla Hotel, the newest property from the owners of the David Citadel and designed by legendary architect Moshe Safdie with interiors by Piero Lissoni, will open this month in Jerusalem. The 5-star hotel will feature 194 rooms and suites overlooking the Old City on Mamilla Avenue, Jerusalem's new downtown shopping district.

EL AL COMMENCES FIRST FLIGHT TO LONDON LUTON AIRPORT

El Al Israel Airlines launched service from London's Luton Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv last month. El Al began operating flights from London Luton to Tel Aviv six times a week in response to increased demand for service to Israel.

AIR BERLIN TO BEGIN SERVICE TO TEL AVIV

Air Berlin announced it will expand its route network to include Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport beginning July 7th. Air Berlin will offer two weekly non-stop flights from Berlin to Tel Aviv.