| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Susan Loris, Director of Marketing & Public Relations Florentine Opera to Premiere New Production of Aida What: When: Where: Tickets: Supertitles: Description: Synopsis ACT I. In ancient Egypt, near the royal palace at Memphis, Radamès learns from the high priest, Ramfis, that Ethiopia soon may bring war to the Nile Valley. The young officer hopes he will be chosen as commander of the army, envisioning triumph so he can free his beloved Aida, Ethiopian slave of the proud Princess Amneris. Amneris, who herself loves Radamès, senses his feelings for Aida when the three meet. A procession led by the King arrives to confirm that the Ethiopians are advancing on Thebes. He appoints the jubilant Radamès as Egyptian commander, at which shouts of victory fill the air. Left alone, Aida is torn between her love for Radamès and for her native land: though now a slave, she is in fact the daughter of Amonasro, king of Ethiopia. She prays to the gods for mercy. In the temple, as priestesses chant the praises of Ptah, priests consecrate Radamès' sword in a sacred ritual. ACT II. Ethiopia has been defeated. Amneris, entertained by slaves, prepares for Radamès' triumphal entry into Thebes. When Aida approaches, the princess dismisses her other attendants and tries to learn Aida's private thoughts, first pretending Radamès is dead, then saying he is still alive. Certain from Aida's reactions — horror, followed by joy — that her slave loves Radamès, Amneris leaves for the festivities. Aida reiterates her prayers. At the city gates, victory is celebrated in parade and dance, a ceremony observed by the King and Amneris. Radamès is borne in and crowned with a victor's wreath. Captured Ethiopians follow, among them Amonasro, Aida's father, who signals her not to betray his identity as king. Impressed by Amonasro's eloquent plea, Radamès asks as his reward that the priests' death sentence on the prisoners be overruled and that they be freed. The King grants this, as well as Amneris' hand, but keeps Amonasro in custody. ACT III. On a moonlit bank of the Nile, Amneris is led by Ramfis to a temple of Isis for a wedding vigil. Nearby, waiting for Radamès, Aida is overcome with nostalgia for her homeland. Amonasro, who suddenly appears, preys on these feelings, forcing his daughter to agree to ask Radamès where the Egyptian army plans to enter Ethiopia. This she does when Radamès appears, ardent with dreams of their future life together. Just as he reveals the military secret, Amonasro steps out of hiding, and Ramfis and Amneris come forth from the temple. While Aida escapes with her father, Radamès surrenders to the priests as a traitor. ACT IV. In a temple of judgment, awaiting trial, Radamès is unmoved by Amneris' offer to save him if he will renounce Aida and marry her. When he is led away, Amneris' pride dissolves, her love for Radamès revealed by her agony in hearing him condemned to death. Enraged, the princess curses the judges. Buried alive in a crypt, Radamès is joined by Aida, who has hidden there to share his fate. The lovers bid farewell to earth as Amneris, above the tomb, prays for peace. Courtesy of Opera News ARTISTIC INFORMATION Angela Brown—Aida “At last an Aida." was the response of The New York Times to Angela Brown's Metropolitan Opera debut this season. Miss Brown has sung Aida with the Metropolitan Opera and reprises the role again for the Opera Company of Philadelphia and the Florentine Opera Company this season. Jessie Raven—Amneris Ms. Raven won the prestigious George London Award (including the Vienna Prize) and the Sullivan Foundation Award. A native of Vermont, Ms. Raven received a Bachelor of Music and completed her graduate work in voice and opera at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. Guido LeBrón—Amonasro Mr. LeBrón's upcoming engagements include La Boheme with Tulsa Opera, La del Soto del Parral and Molinos de Viento in San Juan, La Traviata with Nashville Opera, Andrea Chénier with Virginia Opera, Rigoletto with Tri-Cities Opera, La Fanciulla del West with Utah Opera as well as engagements with Los Angeles Opera and Washington Opera. Mr. LeBrón was last seen at the Florentine Opera during the 2003-04 season in La Traviata. Renzo Zulian—Radamès Born in Venice, Mr. Zulian made his operatic debut at Timsoara Opera House (Romany) in 1992 singing in Madama Butterfly (Pinkerton). His international career has brought him to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and Japan. Mr. Zulian made his United Stated debut with the Florentine Opera Company during the 2004-2005 season as Manrico in Il Trovatore. Jamie Offenbach —Ramphis Jamie Offenbach has appeared frequently with Los Angeles Opera, as Raimondo in Lucia di Lammermoor, Bartolo in Le Nozze di Figaro, 1st Soldier in Salome, and Pistola in Falstaff. Recently he has appeared with Opera Pacific and San Diego Opera in their productions of Rigoletto, Don Giovanni with LA Opera, Tosca with San Diego Opera and Hawaii Opera productions of Salome and Carmen. John Marcus Bindel—King of Egypt Mr. Bindel performs frequently with the Washington Opera, having appeared there in over 20 productions and the New York City Opera, having performed there in over 10 productions. Mr. Bindel returns to the Florentine Opera Company after performing Ferrando in Il Trovatore during the 2004-2005 season. Joseph Rescigno—Conductor The 2005-2006 season will be Mr. Rescigno’s 24th as the Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor of the Florentine Opera Company. A frequent guest conductor, Rescigno has performed symphony and opera in cities on four continents. Mr. Rescigno is a native New Yorker and comes from a long line of musicians. Bliss Hebert—Stage Director Mr. Hebert has staged over 200 productions of more than 80 operas with 25 different companies. A native of Faust, New York, and currently residing in France, Mr. Hebert began his study of piano at the age of 3 and at 5, was appearing in recitals. Planning a career as a concert pianist, he continued his musical studies at Syracuse University where he received a B.A. degree and a Master of Music degree. Allen Charles Klein—Production Designer Mr. Klein is the only American designer to have focused his career exclusively to the production of set and costume design for opera. Mr. Klein’s work has been seen in almost every opera house in America including San Francisco, Dallas, Santa Fe, Seattle, Portland, Houston, Baltimore, Miami, San Diego, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and New York’s Metropolitan Opera. SUBSCRTIPION INFORMATION Subscriptions to the Florentine Opera’s 2005.06 Season are now available and range in price from $66.50 to $361.50. To order your subscription package visit us online at www.florentineopera.org or call 414.291.5700 ext.224. To request a season brochure email us at info@florentineopera.org or call 414.291.5700. FLORENTINE OPERA Milwaukee’s Florentine Opera Company is Wisconsin’s oldest and most enduring performing arts organization. It is also the fifth oldest opera company in the United States. Today Florentine audiences enjoy beautifully mounted main stage productions each season that include first-rate vocal artistry, the visual excitement of elaborate, period authentic sets and costumes, high drama, light hearted comedy and superb choreography. Audiences also enjoy outstanding modern works such as the 1999 North American premiere of Lowell Lieberman’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, the 2002 Milwaukee premiere of Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the 2003 Florentine premiere of Richard Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde. For additional artist biography information or to schedule an interview with any of the artists above, please contact Susan Loris, Director of Marketing & Public Relations at 414-225-1949. |
©2005 The Florentine Opera Company. All rights Reserved Legal Disclaimer and Privacy Policy