Aida – REVIEW
Image: Aida - Sydney, 2023 The cast of Aida in Opera Australia's 2023 production of Aida at the Sydney Opera House Photo Credit: Keith Saunders
Opera Australia has taken this epic tale of the Ethiopian invasion of Egypt and given it a digital twist in representing the grandeur it depicts.
Tall moving screens by the studio Giò Forma, with digital design by D-Wok, provide the setting for the love story of the captive Ethiopian princess and the Egyptian general who has fallen in love with her.
The screens depict the natural elements in turmoil, slithering snakes, and naked male statues known as kouroi slowly pacing back and forth as if watching over the unfolding events.
If you’ve ever been to the Temple of Karnak at Luxor you’ll see what Giò Forma was trying to achieve.
Aida serves the Egyptian princess Amneris, who is Aida’s rival for the love of Radamès.
Radamès is chosen by the goddess Isis to lead the battle against Aida’s people, and when he returns victorious, the Egyptian king grants him one wish.
(Radamès’ return from battle shows him galloping his horse across multiple screens through the harsh desert environment, a very impressive moment in the production.)
Radamès asks that the Ethiopian prisoners be freed. Unbeknownst to him, among them is Aida’s father, King Amonasro (Warwick Fyfe).
No spoiler here, except to mention that, of course, the story ends in tragedy.
In this opera, Verdi makes free use the powerful voices of the chorus, no doubt wishing to impress the audience in the new Egyptian opera house in Cairo where it premiered. The well-known Triumphal March, with its use of brass instruments that accompany the voices, reflects the majesty and magnificence of the occasion.
American soprano Leah Crocetto is the perfect choice for Aida, her strong vocals soaring to heights and plunging to depths in her expression of love and grief.
Najmiddin Mavlyanov’s forceful tenor commands the stage as Radamès, while Elena Gabouri’s mezzo-soprano captures the ruthless determination of the Egyptian princess Amneris.
This season’s Aida is the second revival of David Livermore’s production and, with its star-studded cast, was bound to fill the auditorium.
If you want to see opera on a grand scale, with spectacular digital effects, then you must not miss this revival.
Until July 21
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point
opera.org.au
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