Opera Review: Aida makes an entertaining evening at the Opera without a pyramid or palm tree in sight

Without a pyramid or palm tree in sight, the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra Concert Aida was a very entertaining evening at the opera, ably directed by director Stuart Maunder.

Under the dynamic Giordano Bellincampi, the APO took advantage of Verdi's vibrant music, spectacular marches of the first two acts to more exotic evocations later, although some dances and processional musics have claimed a scenic action .

The New Zealand Opera Chorus Freemasons was an integral presence, on stage and off, with the glorious soprano Anna Leese floating through the walls. Men were solemnly solemn priests, slave women with soft voices

Ordered to celebrate the new Cairo Opera House, Aida skillfully combines politics and passion; an underlying conflict between Egypt and Ethiopia stems from an eternal triangle of two princesses in love with the military hero.

Olesya Petrova was a world-class Amneris, the daughter of Pharaoh, whom she engaged in emotional games of cat and mouse with Aida. or pulling on his full and awesome vocal weaponry to take on Ramades.

The Antonello Palombi Ramades were more than equal to the Russian super-mezzo. His authority and his absolute tone have never failed, having won the hearts with his lovely Maria Luigia Borsi, as affectionate as Desdemona in the APO 2016 Otello n & 39 not quite successful. capture the proud princess of the title role. Representing Aida as a vulnerable heroine was an interesting angle, but the notes were submerged by orchestral overvoltages and the powerful duets lost their intensity.

Minor roles, including an imposing Lucio Gallo as father of Aida, were treated effectively. often the intrusive vibrato of these singers made a long desire for the tonal freshness that Oliver Sewell brought to his few lines as the Messenger.

Lowdown

What: Aida
Where: Auckland Town Hall
When: Friday
Reviewer: William Dart