Opera Scotland

Aida for the Clyde SECC

Posted 9 May 2013

Ellen Kent International are to present Verdi's Aida in the Clyde Auditorium (the SECC) on 7 November, the only Scottish date for this company before the New Year.  Many opera fans prefer something more intimate, but her brand of performance offers spectacle like no other company.  Performances have included 'authentic kimonos' and a water garden with carp in Butterfly, a horse in Carmen, a couple of Afghan hounds in Rigoletto and occasional fountains, bare breasted dancers and so on.  The stagings are invariably traditional and the costumes lavish.  Musically they are good, especially considering how frequently the performers have to sing.  These performances may not be for everyone, but they reach parts other companies do not and must have introduced many people to live opera.  

Our illustration shows the costume design for Amneris in the 1872 premiere of Aida at La Scala, Milan.