Latvian National Opera (Latvia) and Macao Orchestra
11, 12/10 (Friday, Saturday);7.30pm
Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium
Tickets: MOP 450, 350, 250, 150
Composer: Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)
Librettist: Antonio Ghislanzoni
World Premiere: December 24, 1871, Cairo
Production premiered January 23, 1998, Latvian National Opera
Conductor: Lü Jia
Stage Director: Māra Ķimele
Set and Costume Designer: Ilmārs Blumbergs
Lighting Designer: Gleb Filshtinsky
Choreographer: Aivars Leimanis
Make-up Designer: Svanhvit Valgeivsdottir
Assistant to the Stage Director: Līga Ozola
Assistant to the Set Designer: Juris Salmanis
Assistant to the Costume Designer: Vēsma Kliemane
Vocal Coaches: Anita Garanča, Margarita Gruzdeva and Paolo De Napoli
Principal Rehearsal Pianist: Mārtiņš Zilberts
Rehearsal Pianists: Laila Holberga, Ilze Ozoliņa and Ilze Grīnberga
Chorus Director: Aigars Meri
Orchestra Supervisor: Rolands Sēlis
Stage Managers: Ieva Kārkliņa, Gundega Maizīte and Valda Ilgisone
Characters and Cast:
Aida, an Ethiopian princess Liene Kinča/ Yulianna Bawarska,
Sopranos
Radamès, Captain of the Egyptian Guard George Oniani, Tenor
Amonasro, King of Ethiopia Samsons Izjumovs, Baritone
Amneris, the Pharaoh’s daughter Kristīne Zadovska/ Jovita Vaškeviciute,
Sopranos
Ramphis, Egyptian High Priest Krišjānis Norvelis/ Romāns Poļisadovs,
Basses
The Pharaoh Rihards Mačanovskis, Bass
A Messenger Raimonds Bramanis, Tenor
The High Priestess Ieva Parša, Soprano
The Latvian National Opera Choir
Principal Chorus Master: Aigars Meri
The Latvian Radio Choir
Conductors: Sigvards Kļava and Kaspars Putniņš
The Latvian National Opera Orchestra
Artists, athletes, movement group and extras
from the Latvian National Ballet
If ever there was a 19th century opera that has stood the test of time, it is Verdi’s soaring, romantic and dramatic Aida, in which light and darkness, love and hate, triumph and defeat, hope and death all stand together. Its exotic, golden images of Egypt, spine-tingling arias, potent choruses, conflicting allegiances and cruel twists of fate make it one of the pillars of the grand opera repertoire. Aida, an Ethiopian princess, is captured and brought into slavery in Egypt. A military commander, Radamès, struggles to choose between his love for her and his loyalty to the Pharaoh. To complicate the story further, Radamès is loved by the Pharaoh's daughter Amneris, although he does not return her feelings.
This Latvian National Opera production, brought to you in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Verdi’s birth, was designed by the outstanding Latvian artist Ilmārs Blumbergs to resemble a giant painting, the colours and shapes of which evoke the majesty of Ancient Egypt!
Performed in Italian, with surtitles in Chinese, Portuguese and English
Duration: approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes, including three intervals
Macao International Music Festival Outreach Programme
TALKS: Enter the world of German and Italian opera*
BACKSTAGE TOURS: Aida – Opera in 4 Acts by Giuseppe Verdi*
