Aida

  • 2012/2013 Season
  • Giuseppe Verdi : Aida
    Opera in 4 Acts
    Sung in Italy with Japanese Supertitles
  • OPERA HOUSE

Digest movie (only Japanese version available)

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The 15th anniversary of the New National Theatre, Tokyo coincides with the bicentenary of Verdi's birth. In celebration, we will present this festive opera that has become a staple of the NNTT Opera repertory. This magnificent production is the creation of Franco Zeffirelli, and premiered as the NNTT's inaugural production in 1998. It has since been performed here numerous times at special occasions, such as our tenth anniversary. The production has been an enduring favorite with audiences, and one we are asked to bring back again and again. It has also been an important production from the standpoint of broadening the fan base for opera. Zeffirelli's Aida is a spectacular production involving dynamic scene changes that take advantage of the NNTT's unique production capabilities, and a "triumphal scene" performed by over 300 singers, supporting performers and even a ballet troupe. This truly is one production that should be seen by everyone, whether they are an opera fan or not. In the title role this time will be Latonia Moore. Carlo Ventre will sing the role of Radames. Mr. Ventre gave an impassioned performance as Cavaradossi in the NNTT production of Tosca in 2009. The cast is rounded out with an impressive roster of talent from Japan and overseas. On the podium will be conductor Michael Güttler. Mr. Güttler conducted the 2010 revival of Le nozze di Figaro, a production which was praised as having outdone the premiere. Artistic Director Otaka Tadaaki had the following to say about the opera. "Watching a performance of Aida in Milan, which was going through hard economic times, it struck me that, even in the midst of a financial crisis, here was a country and a people that placed great value on the arts. At the time of the NNTT Opera's inaugural production in 1998, the great Franco Zeffirelli said, 'Japan is a wonderful country with a great traditional culture. Her people see hope in culture and music, and in the way they pursue that hope, I think Japan may be a step ahead of the rest of the world.' * We value this treasure Mr. Zeffirelli has left us, and through this production and the power of the arts, we hope to be a source of invigoration for our patrons and the world at large."

*From comments originally translated into Japanese for the performance program.

SYNOPSIS

The setting is ancient Egypt. Aida, princess of Ethiopia who was defeated in the war, is a captive and slave to the Egyptian princess Amneris, who does not know that Aida is the daughter of the Ethiopian king. Aida and Radames, captain of the Egyptian guard, secretly love each other, but Amneris also loves Radames. One day, Radames returns from a victorious campaign bringing with him many slaves, including Aidafs father Amonasro. The Ethiopian king Amonasro sees his daughter again and convinces her to find out from Radames which route the Egyptian forces plan to take in the next war with Ethiopia. At night, Aida, in a rendezvous with Radames on the bank of the Nile, tries to persuade him to flee with her and extracts from him information about the operations of the Egyptian forces. Stunned to know of the enemy's plot, Radames surrenders himself and is placed under arrest. Amneris offers to plead for him if he marries her, but ultimately, he refuses to explain and is sentenced to death. As the walls of his burial chamber are sealed up, Radames discovers that Aida has concealed herself in the darkness. The lovers die quietly but at the same time attain eternal love.

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