Aida

Sydney Opera House, (AU) 2018
2018
Completed
Opera

A royal love triangle and an epic historic war. This production features floor-to-ceiling LED panels as an impressive, immersive set.

This is a story of love so strong it defies enemy lines. This is a story of a kingdom in triumph and a nation in chains. This is a story of betrayal.

Verdi’s monumental music makes this historic epic an enduring favourite. Davide Livermore’s radiant production is a thrilling theatrical experience.

The first of Opera Australia’s 2021 Sydney winter productions was a revival of the 2018 production of “Aida” originally directed by Davide Livermore. The work opened on Tuesday, June 22 at the Joan Sutherland Theatre of the Sydney Opera House

Ten towering digital screens create ever-changing floor-to-ceiling set pieces. Immersive digital video design ranges from rich symbolism to vivid landscapes.

Opulent costumes and props reflect the splendour of Egypt at the height of its power. Together with dramatic video, the massed grandeur of the famous Triumphal March is a visual and musical feast.

Lorenzo Passerini and Tahu Matheson conduct two magnificent casts. Sensational sopranos Leah Crocetto and Natalie Aroyan perform as the enslaved princess, Aida. Elena Gabouri reprises her critically acclaimed turn as Aida’s rival, Amneris, sharing the role with Agnieszka Rehlis. Najmiddin Mavlyanov and Diego Torre are powerful Radamès’, the man loved by both women.

CREATIVE TEAM

Set Designer Giò Forma
Director & Choreographer Davide Livermore
Costume Designer Gianluca Falaschi
Lighting Designer John Rayment
Digital Content Designer D-Wok

Aida finale: full cast before towering gold walls carved with hieroglyphs and a winged golden idol – Aida at Sydney Opera House, Australia, 2018 – set design
Two singers in Egyptian costumes kneeling beneath a giant video image of a black panther – Aida at Sydney Opera House, Australia, 2018 – set designTriumphal scene with guards and dancers before gold statues and video screens showing flames – Aida at Sydney Opera House, Australia, 2018 – set design
Render of a dark corridor of glowing gold panels leading to a seated statue in bright light – Aida at Sydney Opera House, Australia, 2018 – set designDeep blue screens with columns of gold hieroglyphs, a woman standing and a man fallen on the floor – Aida at Sydney Opera House, Australia, 2018 – set design
Dancers in a row before ten screens showing red desert dunes and fiery clouds – Aida at Sydney Opera House, Australia, 2018 – set design
Render of carved bronze panels opening onto a golden throne at the end of a dark corridor – Aida at Sydney Opera House, Australia, 2018 – set designRender of the set's video panels showing nude female figures in a dark corridor – Aida at Sydney Opera House, Australia, 2018 – set design
Render of mirrored panels with pregnant figures pouring golden water toward a full moon – Aida at Sydney Opera House, Australia, 2018 – set designTwo scenes side by side: blue hieroglyph screens with a statue, and singers under a black panther – Aida at Sydney Opera House, Australia, 2018 – set design
Thin white light beams crossing a dark stage between vertical rows of light points – Aida at Sydney Opera House, Australia, 2018 – set designVideo artwork of a woman with Egyptian eye makeup and golden tears against a gold background – Aida at Sydney Opera House, Australia, 2018 – set design