‘Aida’ takes stage

Arts center to host performance on Saturday

MIDDLETOWN — The Greater Middletown Concert Association will bring the acclaimed Connecticut Lyric Opera with its Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra in a fully-staged performance of “Aida” on Saturday, May 19, at 7:30 p.m. in Middletown’s MHS Performing Arts Center, 200 LaRosa Lane.

The venue, a 700-seat auditorium, is appropriate for one of the grandest operas Verdi ever composed. Master conductor and Artistic Director Adrian Sylveen has prepared this production, which is rarely seen live in Connecticut, with the stage director Jan Mason. Audience anticipation is high concerning this historically significant “Aida” production. The opera is sung in Italian with English translation sub-titles projected above the stage.

One of the most beloved operas of all time, “Aida” was premiered at Cairo’s newly-opened 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. Meanwhile, Amneris, the daughter of the Egyptian king, is secretly in love with Radames! Aida is torn between her love for Radames 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 Svedaite 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, bassbaritone Ivan Conrad as Amonasro, bass Nathan Resica as the King of Egypt, and soprano Tamra Grace Jones as the High Priestess.

Contributed photo Connecticut Lyric Opera will stage Verdi’s “Aida” in a performance hosted by the Greater Middletown Concert Association Saturday.