Nights begin late in Italy.  At 9:15 PM we were seated at the Teatro Caio Melisso, an amazing opera house in the heart of Spoleto's historic center. The theater has undergone several transformations and name changes since being built around 1667. 

Named after a Spoletino writer, it re-opened in 1880 as a 350-seat, 3 levels of boxes plus a gallery, opera house.  We have wanted to see a production here since arriving almost five months ago.  Voilà!  Beltango appears.

Beltango brings together five incredibly talented Serbian artists Aleksandar Nikolić – bandoneón (looks like an accordion but isn't); Ivana Nikolić – piano and vocal; Jovan Bogosavljević – violin; Bogdan Pejić – guitar; and Ljubinko Lazić - contrabass. They have performed on the stages of the greatest tango festivals in the world and are the only tango orchestra from Europe invited to perform at the prestigious "World Tango Festival" in Bueno Aires.

For almost two hours we danced in our seats.  We were blown away by their talent and energy.  Steve and I both agreed that we need to take tango lessons.  When Aleksander and Ivana danced, the temperature in the theater shot way up.  They were HOT.

At one point, an Italian singer joined the group and several members of the audience broke out in song and sang along.  It was incredible to hear this intimate venue fill with voices surrounding us.  Such a truly unforgettable night of music.  We were thoroughly enchanted!