(Los Angeles) April 25, 2022 — LA Opera will present the grandest of grand operas, Giuseppe Verdi's Aida, from May 21 through June 12, 2022, conducted by Music Director James Conlon.
The epic drama returns to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion stage for the first time in 16 years, in a sensational production starring Latonia Moore and Russell Thomas. Stage director Francesca Zambello conjures a gorgeous world where hieroglyphics by the L.A.-based artist RETNA create a striking backdrop to the timeless story.
"Aida has long been one of the most popular of all operas because it combines sheer theatrical splendor with an enormously touching human drama," said Christopher Koelsch, LA Opera's president and CEO. "The visual world that Francesca Zambello and RETNA have created for this production is completely spectacular, and the incredible cast, under the baton of Verdi master James Conlon, will bring this masterpiece to vivid life."
LA Opera's vaccination and mask policy, along with a state-of-the-art air filtration system and enhanced cleaning protocols, remains in place to ensure the safest possible experience for audiences, the company's top priority. (See below for more information.)
About AidaA prisoner of war falls in love with the warrior leading the charge against her homeland, who's loved in turn by the most powerful woman in Egypt. Expect to be blown away by a huge chorus and orchestra, a ballet, and beautiful music that's both intimate and heroic in this grandest of grand operas.
The PerformersSoprano Latonia Moore makes her company debut as Aida, her signature role, opposite tenor Russell Thomas (the company's Artist in Residence) as Radames, the military captain Aida loves. Also featured are soprano Melody Moore as the princess, Amneris, baritone George Gagnidze as Aida's father, Amonasro, and bass Morris Robinson as Ramfis, the high priest.
Additional soloists include bass Peixin Chen as the King of Egypt, as well as two members of LA Opera's Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program: soprano Alaysha Fox as the Priestess and tenor Anthony Ciaramitaro as the Messenger.
The Creative TeamDirector Francesca Zambello stages a production featuring artistic design by the LA-based street artist RETNA (Marquis Lewis) that incorporates both Egyptian hieroglyphs and graffiti to create a strikingly gorgeous world. Michael Yeargan is the set designer and Anita Yavich is the costume designer. Mark McCullough is the lighting designer and Peter W. Mitchell is the associate lighting designer. Grant Gershon is the director of the LA Opera Chorus and Jessica Lang is the choreographer.
Click here to download production photos and artist headshots.
Performance Dates, Times and AddressThere will be six performances of Aida at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, located at 135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012:
- Saturday, May 21, 2022, at 7:30pm
- Sunday, May 29, 2022, at 2pm
- Thursday, June 2, 2022, at 7:30pm
- Saturday, June 4, 2022, at 7:30pm
- Wednesday, June 9, 2022, at 7:30pm
- Sunday, June 12, 2022, at 2pm
TicketsTickets for Aida begin at $34 and are on sale now. Vaccination is required for entrance and masks are required indoors; please see additional information below.
Tickets can be purchased online at LAOpera.org, by phone at 213.972.8001, or in person at the LA Opera box office at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90012). For disability access, call 213.972.0777 or email LAOpera@LAOpera.org.
More information is available at LAOpera.org/Aida.
Free Live Simulcast on June 4The June 4 performance of Aida will be transmitted in high-definition live from the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to audiences in three locations: at Santa Clarita's Newhall Park, Fairplex in Pomona, and the Santa Monica Pier. Through the generous support of Los Angeles County and Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, LA Opera is able to present these simulcasts free of charge as a special gift to the community.
Learn more at LAOpera.org/simulcast.
Vaccination PolicyIn order to be considered fully vaccinated, patrons must confirm that either 14 days have passed since receiving the second dose of FDA or WHO authorized double-dose vaccines or that 14 days have passed since receiving the sole dose of FDA or WHO authorized single-dose vaccines. Audience members may display proof of vaccine on a smartphone or by showing a physical copy of their vaccination card or official vaccination record, along with a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or passport. Guests younger than 18 may present a school photo ID. Those under 12 must be accompanied by an adult who meets the listed requirements.
Children under 12 and those who are unvaccinated due to a medical or religious reason must provide proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours prior to attending, along with government issued ID. Rapid or antigen tests will not be accepted.
Masks are required at all times for all patrons and visitors regardless of vaccination status in all indoor spaces at LA Opera, except while eating and drinking in designated areas.
More information is available here.
About LA OperaLos Angeles is a city of enormous diversity and creativity, and LA Opera is dedicated to reflecting that vibrancy by redefining what opera can be. Through imaginative new productions, world premiere commissions, and inventive performances that preserve foundational works while making them feel fresh and compelling, LA Opera has become one of America’s most exciting and ambitious opera companies.
In addition to its mainstage performances at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the company explores unusual repertoire each season through the LA Opera Off Grand initiative, featuring performances in a variety of venues throughout Los Angeles. The LA Opera Connects initiative, which offers a robust variety of educational programming and community engagement offerings, reaches people throughout every corner of Los Angeles County. Learn more at LAOpera.org.
LA Opera Media Contact
Luz VillarrealDirector of Communications lvillarreal@laopera.org 213.972.7554
Production made possible with generous support fromThe Emanuel Treitel Senior Citizen FundAlfred and Claude Mann FundMarilyn Zieringand theNational Endowment for the Arts
Additional support from the
Norman and Sadie Lee Foundation
and
The Armenian Consortium
Special gifts for Aida from LA Opera Patrons
LA Opera Orchestra generously underwritten by Terri and Jerry Kohl
Opera at the Beach made possible with generous support from Los Angeles County and Supervisor Sheila Kuehl
Opera in the Park made possible with generous support from Los Angeles County and Supervisor Kathryn Barger
Opera at Fairplex made possible with generous support from Los Angeles County and Supervisor Hilda Solis
LA Opera is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the greater Los Angeles community.
