Aida in Vancouver

Verdi's Aida was one of the most-anticipated opera events in Vancouver. I don't think anybody expected a Zeffirelli kind of production. But the kind of marvelously rich and expansive voice of mezzo-soprano Daveda Karanas as Amneris with her heavenly duet; Fu la sorte dell' armi a' tuoi funesta with the exquisite soprano voice of Mlada Khuddly, in the title role of Aida, was a remarkable feast.

As well, the unearthly powerful bass voice of Morris Robinson as Ramfis, the high priest, was commanding and magnificent.

Unfortunately, tenor Arnold Rawls as Radames, was a disappointment, particularly  with his interpretation of Se quel guerrier io fossi!...Celeste Aida Although he did better somewhat in his duet; La fatal pietra sovra me si chiuse at the end with Aida. The staging of the triumphal procession was, as could have been expected, a poor-man's version of this famous operatic scene. The choreography was stunningly boring and unimaginative wasting the talents of some of the very fine ballet dancers.

I wonder why we cannot get a first class performance in Vancouver. The house was full and so lack of demand cannot be a good excuse.