Tickets are now on sale for Giuseppe Verdi’s world-famous opera Aida. Dates of the production are October 11 and 12, 2014, Columbus Day weekend, at the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo. Aida will be conducted by Brian Asher Alhadeff, Artistic Director of Opera San Luis Obispo, directed by Daniel J. Witzke and choreographed by Drew Silvaggio. Following the company’s recent successful productions of George Bizet’s Carmen and Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II’s Show Boat, Opera San Luis Obispo will again collaborate with other SLO arts organizations including Ballet Theatre San Luis Obispo, Central Coast Children’s Choir, Civic Ballet San Luis Obispo, CORE Dance Company, Deyo Dances and Studio@Ryan’s American Dance. Guest performers include Tracy Cox in the title role of Aida, Ben Gully as Radames, Lauren Curnow as Amneris, Ralph Cato as Amonasro, Gabriel Vamvulescu as Ramfis and Ben Brady as the King of Egypt.
SYNOPSIS
The opera tells a compelling and tangled story which exceeds all contemporary tales of passions and politics among thrones. Aida, a young woman, has been captured and enslaved by Egyptian soldiers who do not know that she is the daughter of the Ethiopian king, an enemy of Egypt. Adding to the intrigue, since being captured Aida has been assigned as personal servant to the Egyptian princess Amneris, daughter of the King, both of whom also do not know Aida’s true identity. Soon Aida and Amneris learn that they are in love with the same soldier, Radames. As passions and politics intensify, both Radames and Aida are forced to choose between their love for each other or their love for their respective countries and families.
More than most operas, including Verdi’s other works, Aida truly exemplifies the “grand opera” tradition. Replete with an exotic Egyptian palace, royals, soldiers and slaves, as well as select North African animals, Opera San Luis Obispo’s production of Aida will not disappoint opera enthusiasts. The regal sets, scenery and costumes are in perfect harmony with Verdi’s magnificent score and libretto featuring numerous soaring arias, choruses and ballet, all woven into a pageantry of politics and passionate love triangles.
OPERA SAN LUIS OBISPO HISTORY
Opera San Luis Obispo was founded by Dr. Jill Anderson and the late Jean Cook in 1985. Since that time, the company has grown, now creating fully staged professional productions utilizing internationally acclaimed opera singers from around the world as well as very talented singers from San Luis Obispo County and other parts of the U.S. In October, 2013, the company presented George Bizet’s Carmen to near-capacity audiences and established a precedent for working in citywide collaboration with local arts groups. This was followed by Opera San Luis Obispo’s equally successful production of the iconic American musical Show Boat in May of this year.
TICKET INFORMATION
On Saturday, October 11, the performance of Aida will begin at 7:00 p.m. On Sunday, October 12, the performance will begin at 2:00 p.m. All performances are at the Performing Arts Center, San Luis Obispo. For more information or to purchase tickets, please go online to www.pacslo.org or call 1-805-756-4849.