Opera Australia will reprise its highly acclaimed digital production of Verdi’s famous Aida at the Sydney Opera House this June.
Hailed as “the future of opera” by the Canberra Critics Circle when it premiered in 2018, this jaw-dropping spectacular was the first production in the world to revolutionise opera with digital screens, bringing the art form into the 21st century.
Ten towering LED screens glide around the stage, filling the set with emotive imagery, stunning landscapes and rich symbolism, creating a truly immersive theatrical experience.
Acclaimed Italian Director Davide Livermore heightens the drama with breath-taking choreography, visually striking costumes, and magnificent operatic performances combining to transport audiences on an unforgettable, epic journey.
A sensational cast will deliver heart wrenching editions of Verdi’s soaring arias, including two star sopranos sharing the title role: American Leah Crocetto known for her virtuosic acting, and Australian-Armenian Natalie Aroyan who dazzled as Adriana Lecouvreur earlier this year.
Uzbekistan-born tenor Najmiddin Mavlyanov will make his Australian debut in the role of Radamès, sharing the lead with OA favourite Diego Torre, who recently wowed audiences as Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly on Sydney Harbour.
Admired on Australian stages for her bold singing and characterisations will be French-Russian Elena Gabouri as Amneris, followed by Polish mezzo soprano Agnieszka Rehlis making her Opera Australia debut in the role she has sung to great renown in the world’s finest opera houses.
Known for his award-winning performances, Warwick Fyfe will reprise his Amonasro, followed by baritone Michael Honeyman, who received high praise for his Sharpless in Madama Butterfly on Sydney Harbour.
Legendary Italian bass Roberto Scandiuzzi returns to reprise his Ramfis with “startling stage presence and magisterial voice” – Sydney Morning Herald.
The Opera Australia Chorus will add its impressive vocals to the drama and spectacle of this captivating production while Scottish Opera’s Music Director Stuart Stratford will conduct the Opera Australia Orchestra, followed by Opera Australia’s Head of Music Tahu Matheson.
Conductor: Stuart Stratford, Tahu Matheson | Director & Choreographer: Davide Livermore | Revival Director: Shaun Rennie | Revival Choreographer: Allie Graham | Featuring: Leah Crocetto, Natalie Aroyan, Elena Gabouri, Agnieszka Rehlis, Najmiddin Mavlyanov, Diego Torre, Warwick Fyfe, Michael Honeyman, Roberto Scandiuzzi, David Parkin, Jane Ede, Thomas Strong, Opera Australia Chorus, Opera Australia Orchestra | Assistant Director: Danielle Maas | Set Designer: Giò Forma | Costume Designer: Gianluca Falaschi | Lighting Designer: John Rayment | Digital Content Designer: D-Wok
AIDA
Joan Sutherland Theatre – Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney
Season: 19 June – July 2023
Information and Bookings: www.opera.org.au
Image: David Parkin as The King and the Opera Australia Chorus and Dancers in Opera Australia’s 2023 production of Aida at the Sydney Opera House – photo by Keith Saunders