(Credit: Ken Howard / Met Opera) Thirty-four years ago, Sonja Frisell’s monumental “Aida” production premiered at the Met to tremendous success. Not only did it become one of the company’s most beloved productions due to its elegant and epic sets that recreated Egyptian architecture. The production had horses, large crowds of people, and extravagant costumes. It was what operagoers wanted {…}
The Metropolitan Opera will reprise Verdi’s “Aida” in a staging by Sonja Frisell, which will mark the last time the production will be seen on the Met stage. The production, which premiered in 1988, has been performed over 240 times and features production designer Gianni Quaranta’s sets. The revival will be performed 15 times from Dec. 3, 2022 through April {…}
Last week, I provided my thoughts on the other cast of this production of “Aida,” starring soprano Anna Netrebko. But I also had a chance to experience the opera on Nov. 6 with the opening night cast. While the star of that original cast was the lead soprano, here it turned out to be someone else. Star of the Night {…}
Following criticism regarding her wigs for the opening night production of “Aida” at the Teatro Real, Jamie Barton has apologized and has vowed never to use culturally approproiated wigs again. In a statement on social media, the mezzo said, “I am listening, I am learning, and I am taking action. I will not perform in makeup that is meant to {…}
Following the release of images from Teatro Real’s dress rehearsal of “Aida” and some choice comments from major performers in the production, OperaWire inquired into the matter and reached out to the Teatro Real de Madrid regarding whether the production would be employing any kind of Blackface. The company responded this morning stating that it was not using any Blackface {…}
The Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo in Bogotá will celebrate World Opera Day on October 25 with the streaming of “Gianni Schicchi,” “Aida,” “Tosca,” and “Il Trovatore.” Entitled “Opera: a Window to Emotions,” the streams that will be presented jointly by Bancolombia, with the Mayor’s Office of Bogotá, through the District Institute of the Arts and the Stage of {…}
The Teatro Real has announced a cast for “Aida.” The company noted that Maria Agresta has canceled her performances of the title role for personal reasons. In a statement she said, “I am thankful to the Teatro, Hugo de Ana, and Nicola Luisotti for understanding and to my colleagues, a big hug. Arriverdeci, I’ll see you soon.” As a result, {…}
The Royal Opera House will present Robert Carsen’s new production of Verdi’s “Aida” live in cinemas on Oct. 12. The live broadcast from Covent Garden will reach over 1,000 cinemas in 34 countries around the world. Carsen’s large-scale production of Verdi’s political drama is set within a modern totalitarian government and explores public duty versus private passions. He is joined {…}
On Sept. 24, the Bilbao Opera is set to present Tutto Verdi concert. The concert is set to take place at the Euskalduna Bilbao with Daniel Oren conducting the Bilbao Orkestra Sinfonikoa. Angela Meade, Daniela Barcellona, Sergio Escobar, Giovanni Meoni, and David Lagares will star as the soloists of the gala. Throughout the evening, audiences will hear 15 different scenes {…}
The Polish National Opera is set to showcase a revival production of Verdi’s “Aida.” The company and Theatre Museum will showcase a new exhibition “Beyond Aida: Egyptomania” on Polish stages on Sept. 8 in anticipation of the new production. The exhibition will present theatrical fascination with the culture of ancient Egypt, and above all, with the history of its last {…}
The Teatro Real de Madrid has confirmed that it will not use blackface for its upcoming revival of “Aida.” Following the controversy at the Arena di Verona, OperaWire reached out to the Teatro Real regarding the revival of Hugo de Ana’s 1998 production which was last revived in 2018 and saw all its artists using blackface. The theater subsequently responded {…}