Published on Dec 26, 2019

Rating:

Genre: NCPA

Dates: February 26 - March 1, 2020

Times: 7:30pm

Venue: Opera House of NCPA

Prices: 160, 220, 280, 450, 550, 600, 680, 880

Features: Aida, an grand opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi. From February 26 to March 1, 2020, the NCPA's production of Verdi's opera Aida will be staged 5 nights at Opera House of NCPA in Beijing.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION

Set Design: Ezio Frigerio
Costume Design: Franca Squarciapino
Lighting Design: Vinicio Cheli
Projection Design: Sergio Metalli
Orchestra: China NCPA Orchestra
Chorus: NCPA Chorus

Aida tells the touching story about the daughters of kings ruling over belligerent countries who make crucial choice for their common sweetheart: In the Egyptian Pharaoh Era, the war breaks out between Egypt and Ethiopia in the East Africa. Pharaoh's general Radames leads troops to go for battle and fights against Amonasro, King of Ethiopia. At this point, Pharaoh's daughter Princess Amneris loves Radames, whereas Radames' sweetheart is Amneris' female slave. This female slave is precisely Aida, the daughter of King of Ethiopia. It turns out that Aida is also a princess.

The grand celebration scene is set against the background that the joyful warriors hold parade for triumph ceremony on Triumph Square. Aida finds her father among prisoners captured by Radames, i.e., King of Ethiopia disguised as a soldier. The defeated king and his princess can do nothing, while victorious king is busy looking for uxorilocal son-in-law husband for his princess. Painful Radames is not only unwilling to marry the Egyptian princess, but also feels anxiety-ridden for Aida in danger. In order to avoid the long-term hostility between two countries and the freedom of love, Radames determinedly makes the decision to set free Aida and her father.

Unexpectedly, Princess Amneris, who keeps her watch in secret, is aware of such a planned action. Disregarding life and death, Radames is eventually sentenced for being buried alive. Aida doesn't want to drag out an ignoble existence without Radames. She comes to the grave in advance, and determinedly accompanies Radames till the end of time.

China NCPA Orchestra
China NCPA Orchestra is the resident orchestra of the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Beijing. Established in March 2010, the orchestra consists of highly accomplished musicians from around the world, who perform in more than a dozen opera productions presented by its home venue each year as well as in ballets and regular orchestral concerts in its own season. With a notably busy schedule, the young ensemble has fast established itself as one of the most adventurous and dynamic orchestras in the country. LÜ Jia took up the post of Chief Conductor in February 2012, succeeding CHEN Zuohuang, the current Conductor Laureate, NCPA’s then Artistic Director of Music as well as a founder of the orchestra. In January 2017, upon CHEN Zuohuang's retirement, LÜ Jia started serving as NCPA's Artistic Director of Music and the NCPA Orchestra's Music Director.

Tickets for NCPA's Production of Verdi's Opera Aida are Available now!