I didn't celebrate Halloween this year. I normally jump at the chance to dress up or cover my face in eyeliner, but instead I wore all black (a lace dress, witchy patent leather boots and dark eye makeup - I made a bit of an effort) and headed to the Coliseum to see the English National Opera's production of Aida.
Set in Ancient Egypt, Giuseppe Verdi's four act opera was first performed at the Khedivial Opera House in Cairo in 1871, and features the most dramatic themes: betrayal, love, duty, and war. Aida tells the tale of an Ethiopian princess held captive in Egypt who's in love with an Egyptian General. He's chosen to lead a war against Ethiopia, and the heroine is torn between her love for her homeland and the man she loves. The Olivier Award-winning director Phelim McDermott's grand staging is visually strong and distinctive, with dramatic lighting and theatrical (almost distractingly eccentric) costumes, and incredible singers: American soprano Latonia Moore as Aida and the powerful Welsh tenor Gwyn Hughes Jones as Radamès were flawless. The award-winning Chorus and Orchestra, led by Keri-Lynn Wilson - a female conductor, hoorah! - were also fantastic.
This wasn't my favourite opera, but it was a striking production and thoroughly enjoyable evening nonetheless. Do you have a favourite opera?
Set in Ancient Egypt, Giuseppe Verdi's four act opera was first performed at the Khedivial Opera House in Cairo in 1871, and features the most dramatic themes: betrayal, love, duty, and war. Aida tells the tale of an Ethiopian princess held captive in Egypt who's in love with an Egyptian General. He's chosen to lead a war against Ethiopia, and the heroine is torn between her love for her homeland and the man she loves. The Olivier Award-winning director Phelim McDermott's grand staging is visually strong and distinctive, with dramatic lighting and theatrical (almost distractingly eccentric) costumes, and incredible singers: American soprano Latonia Moore as Aida and the powerful Welsh tenor Gwyn Hughes Jones as Radamès were flawless. The award-winning Chorus and Orchestra, led by Keri-Lynn Wilson - a female conductor, hoorah! - were also fantastic.
This wasn't my favourite opera, but it was a striking production and thoroughly enjoyable evening nonetheless. Do you have a favourite opera?
