music
Of Editorial board – June 18, 2024
by GIOSUE CALANDRINO
This year too Fondazione Arena di Verona will thrill us with 50 evenings which will take place from 14 June to 7 September. Although AIDA will be the undisputed protagonist in the Arena (think that Verdi’s masterpiece reaches its 750th evening in the amphitheatre), the program includes: Aida in the “crystal” version and in the 1913 version, Turandot, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Carmen, La Bohème, Tosca, and the various galas/concerts, Roberto Bolle, Beethoven’s IX Symphony, Placido Domingo, Viva Vivaldi, Carmina Burana and the Ballet at the Roman Theatre.
Aida features two productions of Verdi’s masterpiece: the first, staged for 10 performances until August 1st, is the “crystal” version created for the 100th Festival by the visionary director Stefano Poda, who is also a set designer, costume designer, choreographer and lighting designer, as well as an artist awarded this year with the prestigious Abbiati Award.
This production has been defined as “crystal” due to its great visual impact on the two-thousand-year-old Arena amphitheatre, in which it enhances the original lines with unprecedented light effects and laser rays, in a large transparent stage, animated at different heights and a rich symbolism that , both for the costumes and for the props. Poda manages to combine elements of Ancient Egypt, contemporary art, high fashion in an original way, winking at the creations of Capucci, Hirst and Rabanne. Hundreds of mimes, extras and dancers join the artists on stage to give life to humanity in conflict which sees Egyptians and Ethiopians as enemies, in a war that forever marks the thwarted love between Aida and Radames, between prayers, rites and triumphs and experiencing moments of intense emotion. When the public is moved to the point of triumph, says Stefano Poda, success becomes viral. The work takes on the meaning of breaking down barriers, to the point that thought comes into contact with music.
Maestro Marco Armiliato, who will conduct six evenings of “crystal” Aida, does not hesitate to viscerally express his joy in defining this opera as a great adventure of genius, colours, intimacy and grandeur, in a press conference. His debut, in this Verdi opera with a timeless theme, arouses such enthusiasm and emotion in him that he is unable to hold it back, thinking about the moment of conducting this opera in this magical Arena.
This year I am sure, in the Arena we will experience moments of great opera and great shows, I remember that it is also the centenary of Puccini’s death and it is no coincidence that we will see and listen to three of his extraordinary operas: Turandot directed by the great Zeffirelli , La Bohème with the new staging by Alfonso Signorini and Tosca directed by Hugo De Ana.
I wonder if this work, signed in this version and representation, could be divisive… I leave the judgment to you.
M I really hope and hope, given the moments of war that the world is going through, that the future will allow us to be divisive only in music, in acting, in singing and in art.
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