Aida premiered in Cairo at the Khedivial Opera House on 24 December 1871 to great popular acclaim. It has been a favourite of opera audiences, and a staple of opera company’s repertoire ever since.
A Brief Synopsis of Aida
Aida, a young Ethiopian princess who has been "captured and enslaved in Egypt, is torn between her love for her homeland and the man who loves her, Radames." (State Opera of South Australia, official synopsis of Aida). Radames is the commander of the Egyptian army with orders to fight the Ethiopian invasion. Like Aida, he struggles to choose between divided loyalties.
Amneris, daughter of the King senses the feelings between Radames and Aida and is angered as she is also in love with him. The Official Synopsis goes on to note that "Radames returns victorious from another campaign with many Ethiopian prisoners including Aida's father Amonasro."
Reunited with his daughter, Amonasro persuades Aida to discover the Egyptian battle plan from Radames. Overhearing, Ameris, seeking revenge, denounces him. He is arrested and condemned to be buried alive. Aida succeeds in joining Radames in his subterranean cell where the two find love forever in death.
New Graham Murphy Production for Opera Conference
This is a brand new production of the opera, which was created by director Graeme Murphy for Opera Conference. This national partnership of professional opera companies in Australia was formed in 1994 to facilitate the creation of new Australian productions of operatic repertoire.
With the combination of pooled company resources and federal government funding through the Australia Council, brand new productions can be created and built, then shared among the participating companies.
This production of Aida premiered in Perth in 2008. It was part of Opera Australia’s 2010 Sydney and Melbourne seasons. Brisbane will be the final destination for this run of the production.
State Opera of South Australia Cast List for Aida
The Cast for the SOSA production is a mixture of local favourites and a few imports. Kate Ladner, Elizabeth Campbell, Douglas McNicol, David Hibbard and Adam Goodburn, all Adelaide favourites will be seen in major roles.
David Parkin, winner of OperatunityOz, plays, building on his growing collection of roles as he makes his way into a professional opera career. Sydney tenor Rosaria la Spina sings Radames. NSW based Lecia Robertson will be covering the role of Aida while singing the High Priestess.
Aida: Kate Ladner
Radames: Rosario la Spina
Amneris: Elizabeth Campbell
Amonasro: Douglas McNicol
Ramphis: David Hibbard
King: David Parkin
High Priestess: Lecia Robertson
Messenger: Adam Goodburn
Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
State Opera Chorus
Conducted by: Graham Abbott
Season Dates for Aida in Adelaide
Aida opens in Adelaide on Saturday 31 July. Other performances will be 3, 5 and 7 August. This is a very popular opera and tickets are selling fast. Don’t wait too long to decide about purchasing tickets, as it will be all too easy to miss out.
Karen Finch - Karen is a Sydney based freelance writer, artist and musician. To learn more, click on her name to read her profile.
Join the Conversation