Venue: Opera House

Dates: October 23-28, 2018

About

As one of the most popular masterpieces created by opera master Verdi, Aida is always favored by worldwide opera lovers - the vivid three-dimensional characterization and passionate melodies. The creative team is joined by Italian set designer Ezio Frigerio and costume designer Franca Squarciapino, who were creative members of NCPA's production of Nabucco.

Aida was premiered in 1871. The plot focuses on the love story between Ethiopian princess Aida and Egyptian hero Radames. At the choice between love and loyalty for defending the country, the couple is indecisive in a dilemma. The opera is full of strong contrast for emotions: Aida loves with infatuation for motherland and Radames, Radames celebrates victory and decides on 'unjust act', and Egyptian princess Amneris has overbearing desire for Radames. The story features plump texture so that people lament for this beautiful love.

In order to achieve accurate representation of regional features and cultural characteristics of the whole storyline, Verdi repeatedly went to museums to watch Egyptian antiquities and asked Egyptian experts for advice. He blends the ancient musical materials into the opera presentation with lively and profound understanding. The grand stage set makes it suitable for outdoor auditoriums.

Composer: Giuseppe Verdi

Librettist: Antonio Ghislanzoni

Premiere: December 24th, 1871, Cairo Opera Theater

Conductor: Daniel Oren

Stage Director: Francesco Micheli

Set Designer: Ezio Frigerio

Costume Designer: Franca Squarciapino

Lighting Designer: Vinicio Cheli

Projection Designer: Sergio Metalli

Chorus Master: Attilio Tomasello

Revival Director/Choreographer: Alessandra Panzavolta

Cast

Aida (Soprano): HE Hui/SUN Xiuwei

Radames (Tenor): Carlo Ventre/Warren Mok

Amneris (Mezzo-soprano): Daniela Barcellona/YANG Guang

Amonasro (Baritone): Sergey Murzaev/ZHANG Feng

Ramfis (Bass): Hao Jiang TIAN/Giorgio Giuseppini

The King (Bass): WU Wei/HUANG Yisheng

Priestess (Soprano): JIA Kun

A Messenger (Tenor): KOU Jing stands for NCPA Resident Singer

Synopsis

Aida tells the touching story about the daughters of kings ruling over belligerent countries who make crucial choice for their common sweetheart: In the Egyptian Pharaoh Era, the war breaks out between Egypt and Ethiopia in the East Africa. Pharaoh's general Radames leads troops to go for battle and fights against Amonasro, King of Ethiopia. At this point, Pharaoh's daughter Princess Amneris loves Radames, whereas Radames' sweetheart is Amneris' female slave. This female slave is precisely Aida, the daughter of King of Ethiopia. It turns out that Aida is also a princess.

The grand celebration scene is set against the background that the joyful warriors hold parade for triumph ceremony on Triumph Square. Aida finds her father among prisoners captured by Radames, i.e., King of Ethiopia disguised as a soldier. The defeated king and his princess can do nothing, while victorious king is busy looking for uxorilocal son-in-law husband for his princess. Painful Radames is not only unwilling to marry the Egyptian princess, but also feels anxiety-ridden for Aida in danger. In order to avoid the long-term hostility between two countries and the freedom of love, Radames determinedly makes the decision to set free Aida and her father.

Unexpectedly, Princess Amneris, who keeps her watch in secret, is aware of such a planned action. Disregarding life and death, Radames is eventually sentenced for being buried alive. Aida doesn't want to drag out an ignoble existence without Radames. She comes to the grave in advance, and determinedly accompanies Radames till the end of time.

Creative

Daniel Oren

Conductor

Francesco Micheli

Stage Director

Ezio Frigerio

Set Designer

Franca Squarciapino

Costume Designer

Vinicio Cheli

Lighting Designer

Sergio Metalli

Projection Designer

Attilio Tomasello

Chorus Master

Alessandra Panzavolta

Revival Director/Choreographer

Artist

HE Hui

as Aida (Oct. 23/25/27)

SUN Xiuwei

as Aida (Oct. 24/26/28)

Carlo Ventre

as Radames (Oct. 23/25/27)

Warren Mok

as Radames (Oct. 24/26/28)

Daniela Barcellona

as Amneris (Oct. 23/25/27)

YANG Guang

as Amneris (Oct. 24/26/28)

Sergey Murzaev

as Amonasro (Oct. 23/25/27)

ZHANG Feng

as Amonasro (Oct. 24/26/28)

Hao Jiang TIAN

as Ramfis (Oct. 23/25/27)

Giorgio Giuseppini

as Ramfis (Oct. 24/26/28)

WU Wei

as The King (Oct. 23/25/27）

HUANG Yisheng

as The King (Oct. 24/26/28）

JIA Kun

as Priestess (All dates)

KOU Jing

as A Messenger (All dates)

Presenter

China NCPA Chorus

China NCPA Orchestra