OPERA: AIDA

LOCATION: Sydney Opera House

DATE: Saturday 25 July, 2009

WITH: Narelle and Wendy

This was great yet disappointing at the same time. The singing and music was fabulous and so it should be, the staging left a lot to be desired. Occasionally, you see the odd mistake in such productions, which I think is totally unacceptable in a performance by a company as supposedly reputable as Opera Australia. This performance had many mistakes, and they were very noticeable. I suppose they did not take away from the show, but they were enough for us all to comment on, people walking or dancing out of line, or not lined up properly and so forth. And whilst some of the costumes and set had the opulence you would expect of the Egyptian Aida, other parts looked like they were put together with cardboard and textas. It has been well documented that Opera Australia is having difficulties at present, it is a shame they make their way through the performance. I do not think the leads physically were right for the characters, however their acting and voices were superb, so if you closed your eyes it really gave you goosebumps, but when you pay as much as you do to see a Saturday matinee, you really should not have to close your eyes!!! But, it was great to see a favourite staged, ahh to have seen it on the Nile as it was intended and I still cried at the end, plus we had a fabulous day, great lunch, gorgeous weather, the harbour in full flight and great company, so really no need to complain.