Aida: Beauty in Balance
Photograph by Marty Sohl/Metropolitan Opera
The Metropolitan Opera performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s four-act opera “Aida” is a grand production that succeeds in highlighting the talents of the cast and utilizing the Met’s versatile stage. Staging an opera set in ancient Egypt is no easy task, but “Aida” finds a balance between the grandiose set and the soaring vocal and orchestral music. This balance gives off a natural, appropriate feel given the opera’s melodramatic plot. The majestic nature of the opera does not overwhelm the audience but instead allows for the plot’s tragic love story to resonate within the Met.
The enormous set may initially be a cause for concern for those who prefer to focus on the singers, but the voices of the cast hold their own against the towering columns and colossal statues. Angela Brown, in the title role of Aida, has a brilliant soprano voice that is able to convey the character’s emotions, be they love, sorrow, or fear. Franco Farina, in the tenor role of Radames, uses his commanding voice to give his character a three-dimensional quality in much the same way that Ms. Brown does for Aida. Mezzo-soprano Lucia D’Intino is perfect for the role of Amneris as she is able to evoke the same amount of sympathy for Amneris that is usually reserved for Aida and Radames. The talents of the three singers are fully showcased in the emotionally driven final two acts. These two acts effectively balance the grandeur of Acts I and II where ballet dances, a temple, and marches share the stage with the singers.
The orchestra with Kazushi Ono conducting does an excellent job throughout the performance with the aria “Celeste Aida” and the ensemble “Gloria all’Egitto” worth mentioning. Mr. Ono conducts with such precision and feeling that it sometimes seems as if he is a character in the opera sharing the stage with the singers. The orchestra adds to the notion of balance by matching the intensity and artistry of what is occurring onstage.
The power of “Aida” comes from the balance achieved by all of its parts working in harmony. The many aspects of the performance, from Verdi’s compositions to the dance choreography, combine to create an experience that is enhanced by the dimensions and ambience of the Met itself. “Aida” is an example of a fine-tuned opera that offers drama at its highest level.