The Royal Opera House Muscat has selected Aida, a grand masterpiece opera by Giuseppe Verdi, one of the greatest composers of all time, to inaugurate its wonderful new 2017-18 Season. Aida, a compelling tale of royal passion, military intrigue and transcendent love will be presented in the gorgeous nineteenth-century style of Verdi's original, with singers, acrobats and dancers performing in period costume amid elaborate sets. Set in ancient Egypt during the era of the Old Kingdom when Egypt was at war with Ethiopia, Verdi's Aida premiered in Cairo in 1871.
Aida, an enslaved Ethiopian princess and heir to the throne held by Amonasro, the endangered King of Ethiopia, has fallen in love the heroic Egyptian military commander, Radamès. The beautiful young Princess is torn between her overwhelming love for Radamès and loyalty to her revered father and the Ethiopian people. The great Egyptian General must choose between his ever-deepening love for Aida and his commitment to the Pharaoh. This potentially explosive situation is complicated by the fact that Pharaoh's daughter, Amneris, is unrequitedly in love with Radamès.
In an outstanding production by the prestigious Italian opera company, Teatro Regio Torino, this stunning opera comes to life with some of the world's best interpreters of the soloist roles. Aida is sung by the award-winning American lyric soprano, Kristin Lewis who specialises in Verdi heroines. Regarded as one of the most accomplished singers on the international stage today, tenor Gregory Kunde will give a strong interpretation of Radamès. Princess Amneris is sung by Georgian mezzosoprano, Anita Rachvelishvili who made her international debut at La Scala in 2010 in the title role of Carmen, alongside the amazing world-famous tenor, Jonas Kaufmann. King Amonasro is played by baritone Ambrogio Maestri, who after a sensational debut as Falstaff under the baton of top-ranked conductor, Riccardo Muti, is in demand on the world's best stages.
Staging is by the world-renowned director, producer and screen-writer, William Friedkin who is famous for films such as The French Connection. Completing a star-studded assemblage of talent, the Orchestra is conducted by the brilliant maestro, Gianandrea Noseda, winner of the International Opera Awards Conductor of the Year 2016.
The Royal Opera House Muscat presents this truly remarkable production of Verdi's legendary opera, Aida on Thursday the 14th, Saturday the 16th and Sunday the 17th of September at 7:00 pm.