The drama and excitement of Aida returns to the Royal Opera stage for this first revival of the David McVicar's production, new last Season.

The tense confrontations, ancient rituals and high drama of Verdi's opera are brought to life by a world-class cast headed by Roberto Alagna, CarloVentre and Dongwon Shin, as the warrior Radames, and Micaela Carosi and Latonia Moore as the captured princess of the title.

The production's striking designs evoke a strange and distant culture - a society from long ago, ordered by ritual, obsessed with death, driven by war. How can the furtive love between a prisoner and one of her captors survive against such forces? The intensity and tragedy of the story inspired Verdi to some of his most haunting and famous music: the seductive slave dances, the triumphal march, the passion of 'CelesteAida', the heart-rending finale.

Given full reign by the large forces of chorus and orchestra under conductors Fabio Luisi and Daniele Rustioni, the glorious music is some of the most memorable of all opera.

News: Published on Sunday 1 March 2011 at 15:51