May 11, 7:30pm
Connecticut Lyric Opera (CLO) is pleased to announce the final production of its 2017-2018 performance season, the company’s Fifteenth, a fully staged production of one of Giuseppe Verdi’s final operatic masterpieces, Aida.
One of the most beloved operas of all time, Aida was premiered at Cairo’s Opera House in 1871. Set in ancient Egypt during the pharaohs’ reign, the opera is a tragic love story of the warrior Radames and his love for the Ethiopian slave (and unknown to him, princess), Aida. She is torn between her love for him and loyalty to her father and her country. The plot revolves around patriotism, jealousy, war and the conflict between the sense of duty versus the passion of love.
Leading an international cast of acclaimed singers is Lithuanian soprano Jurate Svediate as Aida, American tenor Daniel Juarez as Radames, and Ukrainian mezzo-soprano Galina Ivannikova as the Egyptian princess, Amneris. Rounding out the outstanding cast is bass-baritone Steve Fredericks as Ramfis, bass-baritone Ivan Conrad as Amonasro, bass Kofi Hayford as the King of Egypt, and sopranos Stephanie Foster (May 11), Frederique Bosz (May 13 and Aida May 11) and Tamra Grace Jones (May 18 and 19) as the High Priestess.
This fully staged production will be conducted by CLO’s Artistic Director, Adrian Sylveen, and accompanied by the company’s resident orchestra and production partner, the CT Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra. Aida will be directed for the stage by Jan Mason with a full chorus led by chorus master, Dara Blackstone, and will be performed in Italian with English supertitles projected above the stage.
Cast
Aida – Jūratė Svedaite (May 13, 18, 19), Frederique Bosz (May 11)
Radames – Daniel Juarez
Amneris – Galina Ivannikova
Ramfis- Steve Fredericks
Amonasro – Ivan Conrad
King Of Egypt – Kofi Hayford
High priestess – Stephanie Foster (May 11), Frederique Bosz (May 13) and Tamra Grace Jones (May 18 and 19)
Messenger – Joel Edwards, Fred Goff
Creative Team
Conductor – Adrian Sylveen
Stage Director – Jan Mason
Chorus Master – Dara Blackstone
Costume Designer – Nightwing Whitehead