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A fully staged production of Verdi’s Aida at Epsom Playhouse, Surrey 23rd – 26th March 2011.
The deadline for applications was 20th August 2010. We are no longer accepting CVs and applications. Thank you for your interest in Riverside Opera.
| Riverside Opera returns to Epsom Playhouse with Giuseppi Verdi's Grand Opera,
AIDA
Riverside Opera chorus will be joined by professional soloists
performing the principal roles
The performances will be sung in English, translation by Amanda Holden,
and presented fully staged with orchestra.
Conductor: Peter Crockford
Director: James Hurley
Design: Rob Mills
SYNOPSIS
Act I
Aida, daughter of the Ethiopian King Amonasro, is enslaved in Egypt. Since her capture, she has fallen in love with Radames, a young warrior and captain of the guard, who shares her feelings. Amneris, the Egyptian king's daughter, is also in love with Radames. When news breaks that the Ethiopians are invading Egypt, Radames is chosen to lead the Egyptians into battle against King Amonasro and Amneris strongly urges him to go. Aida, is torn between her love for Radames and for her loyalty to her father.
Act II
The Ethiopians are defeated. Amneris uses this as an opportunity to find out whether Aida is her rival to Radames's affection as she strongly suspects. Feigning sympathy with Aida for the Ethiopian's defeat, she pretends that Radames has been killed. Aida's reaction tells her all she wants to know. Then follows the ever-famous "Grand March" scene as Radames returns victorious, leading the Ethiopian captives, among them is Amonasro, Aida's father. The Egyptian king grants Radames anything he wishes. Out of his love for Aida, he asks for the captives to be released. His wish was granted by the king of Egypt but Aida and Amonasro remain as hostages to ensure that the Ethiopians do not seek revenge. Furthermore, as a reward, the king gives the hand of his daughter Amneris to Radames.
Act III
Aida comes to the banks of the Nile for a last meeting with Radames on the evening before his wedding. Aida's father appears and persuades her to obtain strategic information from Radames how they can escape. Radames agrees to run away with Aida and tells her the position of the guards they must avoid. Amneris and the priest emerge from the temple, Aida and her father flee, and Radames allows himself to be taken prisoner.
Act IV
Amneris, still in love with Radames, pleads with the priests to show mercy to him but their sentence is that he shall be buried alive. Aida having hidden herself in the crypt prepares to die with him. They accept their terrible fate, bid farewell to life's torment and sorrows, while they await their death. Above their tomb, Amneris weeps and prays while the priests continue their joyous celebrations.
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