An opera of this magnitude only comes to town once a decade, and luckily for you, that time is now. Treat yourself to LA Opera's lavish new production of the classic romance Aida, featuring a grand chorus, full orchestra, gorgeous ballet, and of course, the timeless tale of star-crossed lovers from rival kingdoms.
When LA Opera says they’re pulling out all the stops, they mean it, so expect grandiose sets and breathtaking choruses. Some of the most famous music in all of opera is on display, masterfully conducted by James Conlon (a Verdi expert who has conducted over 500 performances of this composer’s operas). Whether you’re planning dinner and show for date night or splurging on a night out with friends, this show fits the bill. And whether this is your first time at the opera or you’re already a regular at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, you’ll feel right at home.
World-renowned soprano Latonia Moore stars as the titular Aida, a former princess torn between reclaiming her homeland and her secret love for the enemy general. The Grammy winner has quite an interesting history in the role. She first played Aida in 2009 after her agent spotted a cancellation in Bergen, Germany. Then in 2012, she ended up stepping in once more as a last-minute substitute for a performance that doubled as her Metropolitan Opera debut. The crowd went wild, and The New York Times applauded her voice as “radiant…with gleaming top notes that broke through the chorus and orchestra.” Since then, she has sung Aida over a hundred times in some of the world’s leading theaters, including England’s Royal Opera House, Australia’s Sydney Opera House—and at long last, our very own LA Opera.
Verdi’s classic is set between the warring kingdoms of Egypt and Ethiopia, but this Aida isn’t the usual fare—the story comes to life with a vibrant set by American street artist (and native Angeleno) RETNA, known for his signature geometric script, which he developed while studying Egyptian and Native American traditional symbols. Though his influences range from Arabic calligraphy to Old English, the writing itself does not belong to a particular language, as RETNA himself explains that “I want my text to feel universal. I want people from different cultures to all find some similarity in it—whether they can read it or not.” What could be more fitting for a city like Los Angeles (and its opera house)?
This fan-favorite romance is onstage for just six performances from May 21 to June 12. Don’t wait another decade to experience the grandest of grand operas, and visit LAopera.org for your tickets to an unforgettable night on the town.
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