Opera Australia will reopen its State Theatre with the Melbourne Premiere of its digital “Aida” production.

The company will stage the famed opera for audiences on May 6, 201. The company will follow it up with a production of “Ernani,” which will also have its Melbourne premiere.

“It’s fantastic to be in a position to announce a Melbourne season, we are so proud to be part of the vibrant cultural fabric of the city as it re-awakens from the pandemic shutdown,” said Opera Australia’s Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini in a press release. “We are bringing grand opera to the State Theatre and we know opera fans are keenly anticipating our return to the stage, I know they’re going to love these two big Verdi  masterpieces.”

“Aida” will be conducted by Tahu Matheson and directed by Davide Livermore. Leah Crocetto will take on the title role with tenor Stefano La Colla as Radamès. Elena Gabouri and Alexander Vinogradov round out the cast.

Performance Dates: May 6-21, 2021

“Ernani” will star tenor Diego Torre and soprano Natalie Aroyan alongside Vladimir Stoyanov and Alexander Vinogradov. Renato Palumbo conducts a production directed by Sven-Eric Bechtolf.

Performance Dates: May 13-22, 2021