Canadian Opera Company Presents AIDA 8/2-9/5

The Canadian Opera Company's 61st season opens with a new COC production of Giuseppe Verdi's operatic masterpiece Aida. Conducted by COC Music Director Johannes Debus and directed by Tim Albery, Aida is a powerful and intimate story of forbidden love. American dramatic soprano Sondra Radvanovsky makes her much-anticipated company and role debut as Aida. Sharing the role with Ms Radvanovsky is Canadian soprano Michele Capalbo, who also makes her COC debut.

Ismail Pasha, Khedive of Egypt, commissioned Verdi to write the opera for performance in January 1871, paying him 150,000 francs,[1] but the premiere was delayed because of the Franco-Prussian War. One scholar has argued that the scenario was written by Temistocle Solera and not by Auguste Mariette.[2] Contrary to popular belief, the opera was not written to celebrate the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, nor that of the Khedivial Opera House (which opened with Verdi's Rigoletto) in the same year. (Verdi had been asked to compose an ode for the opening of the Canal, but declined on the grounds that he did not write "occasional pieces".)

Aida, an Ethiopian princess, is captured and brought into slavery in Egypt. A military commander, Radames, struggles to choose between his love for her and his loyalty to the Pharaoh. To complicate the story further, Radames is loved by the Pharaoh's daughter Amneris, although he does not return her feelings.

AIDA will be performed at the Four Season Centre for the Performing Arts 145 Queens St W at University Avenue.

For tickets and more information visit http://www.coc.ca/