The Salzburg Festival’s new production of Verdi’s “Aida” is one of the most anticipated of the summer season as it will see Anna Netrebko make her role debut as the Ethiopian princess, all while reuniting her with Maestro Riccardo Muti.

However, it will also be exciting as it will see visual artist Shirin Neshat direct it.

In anticipation of the production, Neshat spoke about the production and revealed that she will focus on the relationship between Aida and her country. During the interview, it was revealed that Nesha decided to use videos in order to emphasize that relationship and that during the triumphal march, as Aida sings, she will show a video with images of her people, the slaves.

Neshat also stated that she wanted to get to the core of the drama even if that meant stripping away all the glamor and entertainment from the work.

It was also revealed that there will be dancers wearing animal-like masks, making them appear like ghosts. The figures on stage will be unable to see them.

The opera opens on August 6 and will be filmed on August 12. Netrebko stars alongside Francesco Meli, Luca Salsi and Ekaterina Semenchuck.