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.

 

 

Once conducted NCPA productions of Turandot, Il Trovatore, Norma and La Gioconda, etc.

 

With a natural talent,Daniel Oren developed his own particular interest for the Opera by the great Leonard Bernstein who in 1968 chose him, just thirteen years old, as lead vocalist in his Chichester Psalms's for the inauguration of the Israel Television; in reality it was the mother to start the young Daniel, still at an early age, a complete musical education by studying not only the piano and cello, but with singing and harmony. Maestro Oren then perfected his studies in Europe, devoting himself almost exclusively to conducting and taken part in 1975, winning, the prestigious competition 'Herbert von Karajan' for young conductors: from that moment the young artist began an international career.

 

 

Francesco Micheli was born in 1972 in Bergamo and has a bachelor in Modern Italian Literature; he graduated at the Drama School 'Paolo Grassi' in Milan. He teaches Direction at the Brera Academy in Milan and cooperates with Sky Classics for operatic programmes. He has recently been appointed Artistic Director of the Sferisterio Opera Festival in Macerata.

 

In last August Francesco Micheli has directed Gounod's Roméo et Juliette at the Arena in Verona; the opera has had an enourmous success and will from now on be represented each year.

 

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

 

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): ZHANG Xin
A Messenger (Tenor): KOU Jing