Aida

March 09. 2024 - April 07. 2024

March 09. 2024 - April 07. 2024

New-to-Chicago production Aida

Giuseppe Verdi

Opera at its grandest! While Aida delights audiences with its visual splendor, it also captivates them with a score ranging from exquisitely intimate arias to deeply dramatic duets and trios, and the most thrilling choruses Verdi ever composed. At Lyric Opera of Chicago, each of the five principal artists boasts not only a sumptuously beautiful voice, but also the charismatic presence to bring these characters and the opera's story of a riveting love triangle vividly to life. Conducting Francesca Zambello’s striking production will be Music Director Enrique Mazzola, acknowledged internationally as an exceptionally authoritative Verdian.

  • Language: Sung in Italian with projected English titles
  • Running Time: 3 hours, including 1 intermission
  • Location: Lyric Opera House

Lyric’s presentation of Verdi’s Aida is generously made possible by an Anonymous Donor, The Julius Frankel Foundation, Mary Patricia Gannon Trust, Mr. and Mrs. William C. Vance, Liz Stiffel, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, and ITW.

Maestro Enrique Mazzola is generously sponsored by Alice & John Butler, H. Gael Neeson, Sylvia Neil & Daniel Fischel, and the Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation as members of the Enrique Circle.

Athletico is the official provider of physical therapy for Lyric.

Videos

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Jamie Barton in the Judgement Scene from Verdi's AIDA

In this gripping scene from Act Four of Verdi's Aida, Amneris (sung here by audience favorite Jamie Barton) pleads with Ramfis (Önay Köse in his Lyric debut) and the priests to spare Radamès' life.

Michelle and Russell on the secret relationships in AIDA

Soprano Michelle Bradley (Aida) and Tenor Russell Thomas (Radamès) are back sharing the stage at Lyric Opera of Chicago. In this conversation, they share their thought process behind their characters' challenging relationships in Verdi’s AIDA

Audiences react to Verdi’s AIDA

An all-star cast, recognizable music, dreamy ballet, and the epic Lyric Opera Chorus and Orchestra. See what audiences are saying about Francesca Zambello’s, new-to-Chicago production of Verdi’s Aida onstage at Lyric now through April 7.

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents Verdi's AIDA

Opera at its grandest! While Aida delights audiences with its visual splendor, it also captivates them with a score ranging from exquisitely intimate arias to deeply dramatic duets and trios, and the most thrilling choruses Verdi ever composed. 

Jessica Lang on the dance of AIDA

Step inside the rehearsal room with acclaimed choreographer Jessica Lang as Lyric's dancers prepare for the triumphant return of Aida. See Verdi's iconic story told through music and dance, onstage at Lyric March 9 - April 7.

Enrique Mazzola on the epic music of Verdi's AIDA

"There is only Aida that is like Aida."

From epic choral scenes to intimate duets, Music Director Enrique Mazzola shares why Giuseppe Verdi's opera is unlike any other. See the Maestro conduct his first-ever Aida, opening March 9 at Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Russell Thomas performs "Celeste Aida" from Verdi's AIDA

Hear world-renowned tenor Russell Thomas perform “Celeste Aida” from Verdi’s Aida.

Russell Thomas performs "Celeste Aida" from Verdi's AIDA

Hear world-renowned tenor Russell Thomas perform “Celeste Aida” from Verdi’s Aida

Finding Home in AIDA: An Exploration of Otherness and Belonging

Opera Insights

Opera Insights

The event is moderated by WFMT host and Hearing in Color founder LaRob K. Rafael and features a panel of Aida principal cast members, Jamie Barton, Russell Thomas, and Reginald Smith, Jr. This illuminating discussion will feature panelists diving deep into the central themes of conflict and factionalism, Verdi’s attempts to musically depict ancient Egypt, and the lessons that contemporary audiences can learn from one of Verdi’s most famous operas.

Free and open to the public with advance registration. Registration is not required for ticket holders to the 3/13 performance.

learn more & rsvp

Pre-opera talk

Speaker: Colin Ure

Join us in the Ardis Krainik Theatre one hour before your opera performance begins for a free, 30-minute preview talk discussing that day’s production.

Seating is unreserved, but a ticket for that day’s performance is required. Talks begin one hour before each performance and doors open approximately 15 minutes before the start of the talks.

Pre-opera talks are supported by Raynette and Ned Boshell.

A recorded version of the Pre-opera talk is available below. 

© 2023/24 Lyric Opera Commentaries. All rights reserved.
The music featured is generously furnished by Warner Classics.

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

Photos

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Russell Thomas as Radamès and Michelle Bradley as Aida.

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

Jamie Barton as Amneris, Michelle Bradley as Aida, and the company of Aida.

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

Önay Köse as Ramfis, Russell Thomas as Radamès, and the company of Aida.

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

The company of Aida.

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

Önay Köse as Ramfis.

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

Michelle Bradley as Aida.

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

Russell Thomas as Radamès, Jamie Barton as Amneris, and the company of Aida.

Photo: Robert Kusel

Önay Köse as Ramfis, Wm. Clay Thompson as King, and the company of Aida.

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

The company of Aida.

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

Kathryn Henry as Priestess and the company of Aida. 

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

The company of Aida.

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

The company of Aida. 

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

The company of Aida.

Photo: Robert Kusel

Articles

AIDA, the chamber opera

AIDA is often considered one of Verdi's grandest works, but is it actually a chamber opera? In this note, director Francesca Zambello discusses the importance of focusing the more intimate scenes where the conflict of the four main characters drive the drama forward. Read more and see it onstage March 9-April 7.
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by Mary Anthony

Just super

Mary Anthony, an extra who appeared in Lyric’s 2011/12 production of Aida, looks back on a truly grand experience.
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The dueling divas of Aida

In Lyric’s current production of Verdi’s Aida, soprano Michelle Bradley sings the title role, and mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton plays her rival, Amneris — two powerhouse female leads that require both virtuosic singing and in-depth character portrayals. Hear from two of today's most in-demand Verdi singers in this article and see them onstage at Lyric through April 7.
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Female leadership in the arts

Three impressive female arts leaders — Francesca Zambello, Elizabeth "Liza" Yntema, and Elizabeth Hurley — reflect on the changes and challenges they've encountered in their careers and share their hopes for the future of the classical and performing arts in this conversation.
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by Martha C. Nussbaum

Aida: war, enemy of love

Often viewed as simply a clash between nations, Verdi's great war tragedy derives its power from profoundly personal interactions. Read more from Martha C. Nussbaum.
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The cast and characters of Verdi's Aida

This March, Verdi’s Aida makes its triumphant return to the stage at Lyric Opera of Chicago for the first time in more than a decade. As grand as the work is, its real emotional force comes from the interactions of the main characters, who strive for love and triumph in a time of war.
Read More

Spotlight on Russell Thomas

With a voice that’s big, warm, and full, with an emotional pull that draws any audience into his orbit whenever he’s onstage, Russell Thomas has made a strong impression on Lyric audiences.
Read More

Get to know: Verdi's AIDA

Magnificent voices, a sumptuous chorus, and an imposing orchestra combine to make Giuseppe Verdi's Aida one of opera's greatest glories. See it onstage at Lyric in a thrilling new-to-Chicago production from Francesca Zambello, March 9-April 7.
Read More
by John von Rhein

Enrique Mazzola's season of firsts

Lyric's 2023/24 Season holds many "firsts" for Music Director Enrique Mazzola. Read about his first Wagner opera, 21st century opera, and Mozart work with the company, as well as his first complete Aida anywhere.
Read More

Artists

  • Michelle Bradley

    Michelle Bradley

    Aida

  • Jamie Barton

    Jamie Barton

    Amneris

  • Russell Thomas

    Russell Thomas

    Radamès

  • Reginald Smith, Jr.

    Reginald Smith, Jr.

    Amonasro

  • Önay Köse

    Önay Köse *

    Ramfis

  • Wm. Clay Thompson

    Wm. Clay Thompson ***

    King

  • Kathryn Henry

    Kathryn Henry ***

    Priestess

  • Alejandro Luévanos

    Alejandro Luévanos ***

    Messenger

  • Enrique Mazzola

    Enrique Mazzola

    Conductor (Mar. 18 - Apr. 1)

  • Francesco Milioto

    Francesco Milioto

    Conductor (Apr. 4 & 7)

  • Francesca Zambello

    Francesca Zambello

    Director

  • Michael Yeargan

    Michael Yeargan

    Set Designer

  • Anita Yavich

    Anita Yavich *

    Costume Designer

  • Mark McCullough

    Mark McCullough

    Lighting Designer

  • Michael Black

    Michael Black

    Chorus Director

RETNA *
ARTISTIC DESIGNER

 

JESSICA LANG *
CHOREOGRAPHER

 

 

* Lyric debut
*** Ryan Opera Center Ensemble
** Ryan Opera Center alum

Program book

Go inside this production of Aida with engaging articles, notes from the director, a complete plot synopsis, artist bios, and more.

DOWNLOAD PROGRAM BOOK

A co-production of San Francisco Opera, Washington National Opera, Seattle Opera, and Minnesota Opera.

Header image: Edward Wilensky/San Diego Opera