Abu Dhabi Festival’s lavish co-production ‘Aida’ shines in Madrid

when Aida It first appeared at Cairo’s Khedivial Opera House in 1871, to the delight of superstar conductor Giuseppe Verdi.

While he was pleased with the warm reception of the production, he was reportedly frustrated that the audience was limited to the elite and the ruling class.

As such, he considered the following year’s performance at La Scala in Italy to be a “real” premiere.

Verdi’s displeasure, perhaps misled by the fact that those present had commissioned the work, was still part of a long opera tradition, and second performances were often a touchstone for its quality.

That was the case in Madrid on Tuesday, when the Spanish city’s famous opera house, the Teatro Real, hosted a follow-up show Aida After a high-profile premiere the night before.

“The first show didn’t have the usual audience, so it added to the pressure,” said Nicola Luisotti, principal guest conductor at the Royal Theatre.

“But the second show was when the public arrived. They were the people who had waited a long time to go back to the opera house to see the show.

“While the music is certainly beautiful and legendary, there is still work to be done to ensure that everyone can enjoy it the way they should.”

Judging from the long applause of the audience, the new version of Ada, co-produced Abu Dhabi Festivalis on its way to success.

With 20 performances planned at the venue until November 14, it’s a gorgeous and faithful rendition of the tragedy.

Set against the backdrop of war-torn ancient Egypt, Aida It tells the story of the doomed love triangle between the nominally enslaved Ethiopian princess, the Egyptian military commander Radames, and the pharaoh’s daughter Anneris.

Argentine director and costume designer Hugo de Ana evokes the majesty and opulence of the Egyptian royal family through some flamboyant and majestic stage designs that are large but delicate.

This is especially true of the wardrobes of the ruling class, featuring stunning silk robes in turquoise, sky blue and lilac.

It’s an elegance that complements the brilliant performance of Aida, played by Russian soprano Anna Netrebko.

Netbreko throws herself into an emotional character that evokes the vulnerability and sensuality of one of opera’s greatest and most tragic heroines.

Although it can be said that it is not necessary to use 3D projection to enhance the depth of the stage, Aida This is elegant comfort food for those who love tradition and flamboyant opera.

Tribute to Ancient Egypt

While innovation in opera is a relative concept, Luisotti says a new stage for a masterpiece still needs to bring something new.

“Sometimes it’s not about taking an opera and changing everything. Sometimes it’s also about what you choose to focus on and adding new light to different parts of the score,” he said.

“So, as a composer, to achieve that, you need to get rid of the respect for the score and love it so much that you have to add a new perspective to it.”

Luisotti’s contribution Aida Both subtle and effective.

Paying homage to the region, the Italian worked with actors including Netrebko to add some quarter notes to their vocals – a musical pattern inherent in ancient and modern Middle Eastern music.

“It’s hard to do because the Western music system is chromatic – and Verdi’s complex score is a product of the 19th century.

“But it’s a good thing to try to do that as a way to pay homage to a civilization as great as Egypt.”

The value of co-production

The Abu Dhabi Film Festival has a growing number of international co-productions.

This includes Mahler’s powerful symphonies resurrection Aix festival and dance show in Provence, France in July From Scheherazade to me, Carmen With Spanish flamenco dancer Maria Pages.

Scroll through the gallery below to see images from “De Scheherazade a Yo, Carmen”

After a critically acclaimed debut in Barcelona in May, the latter’s production will begin a two-year world tour in Europe and South America.

“The value of partnerships is that they can provide opportunities to exchange ideas and foster creativity,” said Huda Alkamis-Canuthe festival’s artistic director and founder of its governing body, the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation.

“It’s not about making art for the art’s sake. It’s about partnerships with the same vision, purpose and values ​​of respect and understanding to create something that has a powerful impact.”

to that moment AidaAlkhamis-Kanoo described the work as “monumental and symbolic” of the Royal Theatre and Abu Dhabi Festival’s approach to cultural programming.

As the opera industry recovers from the turmoil caused by the pandemic, advancing these ambitious projects is critical to supporting artists and keeping the genre accessible to a new generation of audiences.

“The most rewarding aspect is knowing that we impact and bring about change through our contributions to the international creative field,” she said.

“Shaping the future for the next generation through our productions and commissions, and the joy I see in the eyes of all involved when a work comes together is more valuable to me than the financial benefits of co-production.”

Abu Dhabi takes centre stage as the ‘City of Music’​​

Aida Continuing the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation’s enduring relationship with Spain.

Spanish opera superstars Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo performed in the UAE in 2007 and 2013, respectively, as part of the Abu Dhabi Festival.

This cultural contribution made Alkhamis-Kanoo the first Medal of Honor, In May, the prestigious Spanish institution Reina Sofia Conservatory awarded the highest honor, and earlier this month the Spanish government awarded the Friends of Spain cultural honor to promote cultural dialogue between the two countries.

“Spain is unique in that it celebrates its Arab history, and this experience makes us happy to connect our wonderful cultures together,” she said.

“With Spain, we share the values ​​of innovation, creativity and respect, and its culture of hospitality makes it open to new partnerships and collaborations.

With the festival rolling on the international calendar of events and Abu Dhabi returning to full capacity, Alkhamis-Kanoo says the capital has more than lived up to its UNESCO designation music city.

“This reflects our determination to create rich cultural experiences at home and abroad,” she said.

“We are proud to contribute to the development of the cultural ecosystem in our beloved city.”

“Aida” will be performed at the Teatro Real in Madrid, Spain until November 14th.For more information visit www.teatroreal.es

Scroll through the gallery below for images from “The Resurrection of Mahler”

Updated: October 27, 2022 at 2:24 pm