WNO to Open New Season with AIDA, Featuring RETNA and Jessica Lang Dance

Washington National Opera (WNO) opens its 2017-2018 season with a new production of Verdi's grand Egyptian epic Aida, September 9-23, 2017, in the Kennedy Center Opera House. In this majestically scaled but intimate love story, a captive princess must choose between her patriotic duty and her love for an enemy military hero.

This bold new WNO production, directed by WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello, is inspired by the street artist RETNA, whose work uses calligraphy, hieroglyphics, and striking colors and shapes to evoke a mythic past with a modern edge. Jessica Lang, one of the most celebrated choreographers in contemporary dance, creates the stunning choreography for members of her Jessica Lang Dance company. Evan Rogister, who most recently conducted a fiery run of Carmen to open WNO's 2015-2016 season, returns to lead the WNO Orchestra in interpreting Verdi's enduring score. The Saturday, September 23 performance will be simulcast free to thousands of fans at Nationals Park as part of Mars Incorporated Opera in the Outfield.

The timeless conflict of duty versus desire rises like a pyramid in Verdi's towering drama of passionate love, thundering vengeance, and heartbreaking sacrifice. Aida, a young woman enslaved by the Egyptians, harbors secret feelings for military hero Radame?s. Unbeknownst to her captors, she's also an Ethiopian princess and daughter of their sworn enemy. Torn between love and loyalty to her people, Aida must make an impossible choice-all as the King of Egypt's own daughter Amneris desperately seeks the affections of Radame?s for herself. One of the most beloved operas in the repertory, Aida features such famous arias as "Celeste Aida," "Ritorna vincitor," and "O patria mia," along with intimate duets, extended dance sequences, and a grand Triumphal Scene, during which more than 115 people are on stage.

RETNA, born Marquis Duriel Lewis, created the original sketches and concept design from which the production draws its vision. RETNA is best known for his expansive murals and paintings on canvas that employ an intricate system of hieroglyphic calligraphy. These works draw their influence from Arabic, Egyptian, Hebrew, Old English, and Native American typographies. His totemic symbologies reflect both his upbringing in urban Los Angeles and a consideration of his rich cultural heritage. Some of RETNA's diverse commercial projects include the cover of Justin Bieber's Purpose album (2015) and collaborations with Nike, Louis Vuitton, and VistaJet. Aida is RETNA's first opera. "Having my artwork, much of which is based on the structure of Egyptian hieroglyphics, used for Aida turned my entire concept of my career full circle, marking a milestone in my artistic and spiritual development," says RETNA.

To celebrate his designs for Aida, WNO presents an exhibition of RETNA's large-scale work. The exhibition, on view August 14-September 24, 2017, includes a display on the windows flanking the bust of President Kennedy in the Kennedy Center Grand Foyer and a new monumental mural painted on site in the Hall of Nations. For more information, see page 6 of this press release.

Jessica Lang, founder and artistic director of Jessica Lang Dance, brings her unique contemporary dance sensibility to Aida, creating stunning choreography for some of the opera's most spectacular scenes. Lang has created more than 95 new works since 1999, including for the National Symphony Orchestra's NEW MOVES: symphony + dance festival in 2014. Lang's prior work in opera includes an acclaimed production of Pergolesi's Stabat Mater at The Glimmerglass Festival in 2013.

The international cast of Aida includes many returning favorites as well as several important artists making their WNO debuts. Sharing the title role are two blazing sopranos returning to the WNO stage: Tamara Wilson, the 2016 Richard Tucker Award winner last seen at WNO in 2010's Un ballo in maschera, who has performed the role of Aida around the world, including at the Metropolitan Opera; and Amber Wagner, the 2007 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions winner who was a fierce Leonora in WNO's The Force of Destiny in 2013, who makes her role debut with this production followed a wildly acclaimed performance at the Met and Lyric Opera of Chicago in recent seasons. Performing as Aida's rival Amneris are two celebrated Russian mezzo- sopranos, each making their WNO debuts: Ekaterina Semenchuk, who sang the role to great acclaim at this production's premiere in San Francisco in 2016, and Marina Prudenskaya, who has won praise for her roles in Verdi and Wagner at many of the world's leading opera houses. Sharing the role of the noble captain Radame?s are South Korean tenor Yonghoon Lee, a star at the Met in leading Verdi roles who makes both his WNO and role debuts in this production; and Carl Tanner, last seen at WNO as Captain Ahab in 2014's Moby-Dick, and well-known for his portrayal of Radame?s at the Met, Pittsburgh Opera, Opera Colorado, and Wolf Trap Opera.

Also in the cast are baritone Gordon Hawkins, who was memorable as Alberich in WNO's Ring cycle in 2016, as Aida's father Amonasro; bass Morris Robinson, an unforgettable Joe in 2013's Show Boat, as the high priest Ramfis; former Domingo- Cafritz Young Artist and rising star bass Soloman Howard as the King of Egypt, the role of his Metropolitan Opera debut in 2014; soprano Madison Leonard, a new member of WNO's Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program, as the High Priestess; and current Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Frederick Ballentine as the Messenger.

The creative team includes associate director E. Loren Meeker, set designer Michael Yeargan, costume designer Anita Yavich, lighting designer Mark McCullough, and hair and makeup designer David C. Zimmerman in his WNO debut.

WNO continues its partnership with the Washington Nationals with the Mars Incorporated Opera in the Outfield presentation of Aida on Saturday, September 23, 2017, at Nationals Park. Gates open at 5 p.m. for "pregame" activities for the entire family, including a meet-and-greet with M&M'S® spokescandy Ms. Brown, a musical instrument "petting zoo," a costume trunk and face painting play area, chances to win prizes from M&M'S® Chocolate Candies and the Kennedy Center, and more. The opera is broadcast live from the Kennedy Center Opera House to the high-definition NatsHD scoreboard at the ballpark at 7 p.m. Free seating is available on the outfield grass and in the stands. The event takes place rain or shine-in case of inclement weather, some covered seating is available. More information about Mars Incorporated Opera in the Outfield is at OperaintheOutfield.org.

Aida-a new co-production with San Francisco Opera, Seattle Opera, and Minnesota Opera-opens on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at 7 p.m. in the Kennedy Center Opera House and runs for nine performances, including September 10, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, and 23. The opera's running time is approximately three hours, including one intermission. Aida is performed in Italian with projected English titles. Visit WNO's website for complete production details and casting information.

Tickets start at $25 and are available online, in person at the Kennedy Center Box Office, and by calling (202) 467-4600 or (800) 444-1324. For all other ticket-related customer service inquiries, call the Advance Sales Box Office at (202) 416-8540.

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