Aida Opens Opera Australia’s Winter Season

Opera Australia’s digital production of Giuseppe Verdi’s grand opera, Aida, by celebrated Italian director and choreographer Davide Livermore, will return to Sydney next month, kicking off OA’s 2021 winter season at the Sydney Opera House. Livermore’s interpretation of Verdi’s world of Egypt conveys the scale, depth and magnificence demanded by this monumental opera, transporting the audience experience to a whole new level.

Premiering in 1871 when Giuseppe Verdi was well established as the leading composer of his day, Aida was a spectacle from the start.
Egypt needs a hero to lead their army against Ethiopia and the chosen Radamès hopes to win not just the battle but also the hand of beautiful slave girl Aida. However she is secretly an Ethiopian princess and is torn between her love for the Egyptian hero and her homeland.

The cast features some of the world’s best singers as sopranos Leah Crocetto and Elena Guseva  share the role of Aida with tenors Stefano La Colla and Najmiddin Mavlyanov as Radamès, leading a large ensemble of musicians, singers, dancers and actors in this extravagant production. Reprising her 2018 portrayal of Amneris is the French-Russian mezzo-soprano Elena Gabouri who will share the role with Agnieszka Rehlis, while basses Daniel Sumegi and David Parkin will share the role of Ramfis. Baritone Michael Honeyman returns as Amonasro, sharing the role with Warwick Fyfe.

Ten large LED screens create an immersive theatrical experience, as ever-changing floor-to-ceiling sets create video designs that stretch from rich symbolism to vivid landscapes. Coupled with Gianluca Falaschi’s magnificent costume designs, this production proves to be a feast for the senses.

From its moving opening with delicate strings in the orchestral prelude, to its famous Triumphal March, this is a score that demands rapt attention. Sharing command of the cast, Opera Australia Chorus and Orchestra will be conductors Lorenzo Passerini and OA’s head of music, conductor Tahu Matheson.

22 June – 13 August 2021 | Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Starring | Leah Crocetto | Stefano La Colla | Elena Gabouri
Creatives
Conductors: Lorenzo Passerini (June 22, 26, 28, 30; July 2, 13, 15, 17)/Tahu Matheson (July 22, 24, 31; August 3, 5, 11, 13)
Director & Choreographer Davide Livermore/ Revival Director Shane Placentino/ Set Designer Giò Forma/ Costume Designer Gianluca Falaschi/
Digital Content Designer D-Wok/ Lighting Designer John Rayment/ Assistant Director Shaun Rennie
Cast
Aida Leah Crocetto (June 22, 26, 28, 30; July 2, 13, 15, 17)/Elena Guseva (July 22, 24, 31; August 3, 5, 11, 13)
Amneris Elena Gabouri (June 22, 26, 28, 30; July 2, 13, 15, 17)/ Agnieszka Rehlis (July 22, 24, 31; August 3, 5, 11, 13)
Radamès Stefano La Colla (June 22, 26, 28, 30; July 2, 13, 15, 17)/ Najmiddin Mavlyanov (July 22, 24, 31; August 3, 5, 11, 13)
Amonasro Warick Fyfe (June 22, 26, 28, 30; July 2, 13, 15, 17)/Michael Honeyman (July 22, 24, 31; August 3, 5, 11, 13)
Ramfis Daniel Sumegi (June 22, 26, 28, 30; July 2, 13, 15, 17)/ David Parkin (July 22, 24, 31; August 3, 5, 11, 13)
The King Gennadi Dubinsky/ High Priestess Jane Ede/ Messenger Dean Bassett
Opera Australia Chorus/ Opera Australia Orchestra
Performance information
Evenings at 7.30pm June 22, 26, 28, 30 July 2 (CC performance), 13, 15, 17, 22, 31 August 3, 5, 11, 13
Saturday Matinee at 12.30pm July 24 (audio described performance)
Running time Approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes including one interval/ Performed in Italian with English surtitles
This production contains partial nudity
Bookings
Adult tickets from $79 (fees may apply)
Opera Australia Box Office (02) 9318 8200 www.opera.org.au/
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House