Aida (2013)

The grandest of grand operas, and a brilliant balance of spectacular pageantry and emotional intimacy. A bitter love triangle plays itself out against a backdrop of war and cultural oppression in this compelling tale of conflicting loyalties and forbidden passion. As Aida, soprano Micaela Carosi's "voice wasn't only luminous; she was alive in the role...every fear, frustration and outburst of love registered in her voice, face, body" (San Jose Mercury News). Tenor Marcello Giordani plays Radames, "mustering a ringing sound and suitably ardent phrasing" in the opera's climax (San Francisco Chronicle). "Mezzo-soprano Dolora Zajick delivered a powerhouse performance as Amneris, cloaking her unstoppable dramatic fury in plush and impeccably controlled tones." -San Francisco Chronicle "As Amonasro, baritone Marco Vratogna emitted gorgeous, orchestra-defying sounds." -San Francisco Classical Voice "Glamour came from Zandra Rhodes's fantastically colorful production. Gold for days, patterns upon patterns (based upon authentic Egyptian designs), and costumes that more than a few singers undoubtedly wished they could take home forever." -San Francisco Classical Voice