Photo Gallery: Aida Act 3

Gloria all'Egitto they say! Aida's triumph scene can be seen as one of the most successful and celebrated culture-branding exercises ever, making Egyptology even more fashionable, palatable and relatable in popular culture. Here's how Franco Zeffirelli reimagined it in his 2001 Busseto version, retaken at the Teatru tal-Opra Aurora in Gozo, on Saturday 15th October. Moveo Dance company earned their merited applauses. Raul Ivaldi brought the artists in the role with make-up, hair and wigs. Debbie Portelli and Sarah Camilleri saw to the throngs of chorus members and auxiliaries. Additional costumes designed by Vivien Hewitt, produced by the Teatru tal-Opra Aurora Wardrobe, under the direction of Celine Debrincat (wardrobe mistress), Marlene Portelli (premiere seamstress), Sunta Azzopardi, Lora Galea and the rest of the sartorial team.

21 Oct

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The greatest battles that unfold in Aida are not actually military, but battles of conscience. And they unfold in a very intimate and nocturnal Act 3, when Aida is challenged by her father for loving her warrior-captive, and when Radames is forced to betray his homeland and flee with his love. Amneris too comes to terms with her unspoken fear – that her lover’s heart belongs to someone else, while Ramfis and his priests are, to put it this way, proven right on not allowing the Ethiopians go.

Act 3 might be set in the dead of night, but it is no less than spectacular!

Photos by David Agius, Hush Studios

Aida, Act 3: by the river Nile
Amneris gets ready on the eve of her planned wedding day.