AIDA

Opera de Montecarlo, (MC) 2025
2025
Completed
Opera

A nocturnal Aida, winking at cinematic fantasy and an ancient Egypt infused with Art Nouveau–style brushstrokes.

Production of the Rome Opera House

Set in a pseudo-historic vision of Ancient Egypt, Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida depicts a dramatic clash between Aida and Amneris, haughty princesses battling for the valiant warrior Radames’s love.Aida had been commissioned for the inauguration of the Suez Canal, hence its reputation for cinemascopic dimensions – elephants included. The first Monaco performance in 1884 had to suffer cuts in the mass scenes due to the size of the Salle Garnier. In 2025, this poses problems no longer since Davide Livermore and his team can work in the expanse of the Grimaldi Forum where they have already proven an amazing creativity in using modern technology for breathtaking scenery.At closer examination, however, her numerous arias, duets and trios reveal Aida’s intimate chamber musical side, which dominates most of the opera’s acts. Verdi’s writing for the voice and the colourful orchestral part are at their best when depicting what were often called “female weapons”: charm and seduction, slander, deception, and – once defeated – self-destruction and ruining of the cherished object.In such situations, beautiful and refined singing counts  and a stellar cast, which shows you both sides of this magnificent opera: its grandeur, and its fragility!
Conductor | Massimo Zanetti

Director & Choreography | Davide Livermore

Sets | Giò Forma

Costumes | Gianluca Falaschi

Lighting design | Antonio Castro

Videos | D-Wok

Choreography | Carlo Massari

Choirmaster | Stefano Visconti

PHOTO | MARCO BORELLI

Aida chorus in Egyptian costumes before a golden hieroglyph block, a priest on the gallery above a gold triangle – Aida at Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Monte Carlo, Monaco, 2025 – set design
Dancers around a soloist at the front of the stage, chorus at the sides and a glowing amber block behind – Aida at Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Monte Carlo, Monaco, 2025 – set designMonumental block with projections of two golden human figures, hooded figures standing on either side – Aida at Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Monte Carlo, Monaco, 2025 – set design
Triumphal scene: chorus with raised arms beneath a high gallery and a suspended gold triangle – Aida at Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Monte Carlo, Monaco, 2025 – set design
Women's chorus reclining and seated around a large textured gold block, with feather fans on poles – Aida at Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Monte Carlo, Monaco, 2025 – set designLone figure in a white cloak before a giant block projected with swirling dark and golden textures – Aida at Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Monte Carlo, Monaco, 2025 – set design
Chorus and soloists on a reflective stage before a monumental block lit in cold violet light – Aida at Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Monte Carlo, Monaco, 2025 – set design
Wide view of the golden block against an amber sky, chorus with parasols filling the stage – Aida at Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Monte Carlo, Monaco, 2025 – set designBlock projected with flame-red textures, priests in tall headdresses lined up in front – Aida at Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Monte Carlo, Monaco, 2025 – set design
Block projected with gold and black coiling serpents behind the chorus and a kneeling figure – Aida at Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Monte Carlo, Monaco, 2025 – set design
Grey-toned scene: crowded chorus beneath a dark block and a figure standing above a double triangle – Aida at Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Monte Carlo, Monaco, 2025 – set designTwo silhouetted singers against a white-lit screen dripping with hieroglyphs, a double triangle overhead – Aida at Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Monte Carlo, Monaco, 2025 – set design