Drama in the desert

Drama in the desert

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Even the grandest opera house would be hard-pressed to rival the foot of the Masada mountain fortress as a dramatic setting for Giuseppe Verdi's great work "La Traviata".

The opera was performed here during a festival complete with flames and fireworks, creating a dizzying spectacle against the backdrop of the bare sandstone escarpment.

. MASADA, Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

Traviata was the focus of the 2014 Masada Opera Festival, on the shores of the Dead Sea in Israel.

Reuters photographer Amir Cohen documented cast members rehearsing for the ambitious production shortly before it opened on June 12.

. MASADA, Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

The festival’s setting has rich cultural associations.

Built by King Herod as a winter palace between 37-31 BC, Masada is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has been a source of archaeological fascination.

The opera festival is being held there for the fourth time in five years.

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Slideshow

Cast members rest backstage during a dress rehearsal.
. MASADA, Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

Cast members rest backstage during a dress rehearsal.

The stage stands mostly empty below the looming slopes of Masada.
. MASADA, Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

The stage stands mostly empty below the looming slopes of Masada.

A worker carries a prop as he helps prepare for a rehearsal.
. MASADA, Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

A worker carries a prop as he helps prepare for a rehearsal.

A performer is reflected in a mirror as make-up is applied to her face.
. MASADA, Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

A performer is reflected in a mirror as make-up is applied to her face.

Cast members walk towards the stage at the start of the dress rehearsal.
. MASADA, Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

Cast members walk towards the stage at the start of the dress rehearsal.

A performer is illuminated by blue light.
. MASADA, Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

A performer is illuminated by blue light.

Conductor Daniel Oren directs the orchestra during the dress rehearsal.
. MASADA, Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

Conductor Daniel Oren directs the orchestra during the dress rehearsal.

Cast members practice on stage.
. MASADA, Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

Cast members practice on stage.

Performers rest between acts.
. MASADA, Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

Performers rest between acts.

Cast members play their parts.
. MASADA, Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

Cast members play their parts.

Soloist Shiri Hershkovitz (right) performs.
. MASADA, Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

Soloist Shiri Hershkovitz (right) performs.

A member of the cast is silhouetted in front of bright lights on stage.
. MASADA, Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

A member of the cast is silhouetted in front of bright lights on stage.