CT Lyric Opera presents ‘Aida’ on May 19

Verdi masterpiece to be staged at Performing Arts Center

MIDDLETOWN — “Aida,” considered the most grand of Verdi’s many operatic masterpieces, will be performed by the Connecticut Lyric Opera on Saturday, May 19. The opera will be fully staged at the MHS Performing Arts Center, 200 LaRosa Lane, Middletown at 7:30 p.m., with the acclaimed Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra in the pit.

Set in Ancient Egypt, “Aida” was commissioned to open Cairo’s new Khedivial Opera House in 1871. Amid much pageantry, with beautiful, expansive music and a deep emotional impact, “Aida” was a great success and has continued to be a favorite all-time opera to this day.

The story is a simple one of love, jealousy, patriotic duty, and sacrifice. Radames is in love with Aida, who is a slave to Amneris, the Egyptian king’s daughter. She passionately returns his love finding out that Amneris is in love with Radames also! Radames leads the Egyptian army to victory over its Ethiopian enemy only to discover that Aida is secretly the daughter of the Ethiopian king.

They plan to flee, even though the Egyptian king offers his daughter Amneris as a victory reward to Radames.

Turbulent circumstances follow and bring Aida and Radames to an unforgettable and sublime tomb scene finale. The opera is sung in Italian with English subtitles/ translations projected above the stage.

For ticket purchase or more info call 860 343-7555. Prices range from $35 (rear) to $40 (front). Student or group prices are also available. All major credit cards are accepted. The website is www.GreaterMiddletownConcerts.org.

Contributed photo Connecticut Lyric Opera will stage Verdi's “Aida” in a performance hosted by the Greater Middletown Concert Association, May 19 at the MHS Performing Arts Center, 200 LaRosa Lane, Middletown.