Event

Aida (Bregenz)

About the opera: Aida is a well-known and well-loved opera. It was originally set in Ancient Egypt. This production from the Bregenz Festival is slightly unusual â" first of all, the stage is floating in the middle of a lake! (You can see a picture of the set and stage here.) On top of that, the costumes are a mix of contemporary (pink go-go dancer outfits and riot gear) and traditional (Egyptian high priest robes). There are a couple of slightly risque moments ("risque" by opera standards): chiseled men wearing only boxers (and inexplicably, black tee shirts over their heads) being shoved around by groups of women and gestured at provocatively, etc. The entire action takes place on what looks like a giant replica of the feet of the Statue of Liberty. All of these details are even more interesting, thanks to the camera's close gaze. The singing and the sound quality is exceptional â" since there are no acoustics in the middle of lake, all the singers and the orchestra are mic-ed. The audience is treated to near-perfect sound as a result.