Toledo Opera will present “Aida: Homelands” on Sunday, Oct. 11, at TolHouse in downtown Toledo.

The showcase, which is a preview for the company’s upcoming “Aida” production will explore the music, culture, food and history connected to Ethiopia and the story at the center of Verdi’s late masterwork. The event is organized by Toledo Opera’s Audience Development Committee and sponsored by Nathaniel-Waldon Group LLC.

The program will include traditional Azmari music, an Ethiopian buffet from Taste of Ethiopia in Detroit, and a presentation by historical musicologist Dr. Ryan Ebright exploring Ethiopia’s role in “Aida” and the historical and cultural context surrounding Verdi’s opera.

Special guest soprano Mariam Battistelli, who was born in Ethiopia, raised in Italy, and performed at Teatro alla Scala, the Vienna State Opera, Staatsoper Hamburg, Teatro La Fenice, the Royal Opera House of Muscat and the Glyndebourne Festival, among others, will speak with guests about her own artistic journey. Her participation is supported in part by Pursuit Media Group.

“Extending a welcoming hand to international advocate and artist Mariam Battistelli is as vital to the mission of Toledo Opera as producing world class operatic performances,” said Toledo Opera artistic director Kevin Bylsma, per an official press release. “Opera is a collaborative art, requiring a community of artists to produce the performances one sees on stage.”

Toledo Opera’s production of “Aida,” will be headlined by Mary Elizabeth Williams in her company debut as Aida, tenor Brendan Boyle as Radamès, contralto Lauren Decker as Princess Amneris and baritone Nmon Ford in his company debut as Amonasro.