Costumes by Anita Yavich have been effectively suited to the setting chosen by Director Zambello, being flashy and eye-pleasing. They have been in notable show on the dancers, flashy within the case of the younger acrobatic dancers who wore army uniforms as youngsters, and eye-pleasing on the dancers, particularly solo dancers, Dwayne Brown and Jenelle Figgins, who have been highlights of the efficiency. The in any other case plain units have been typically embellished with beautiful shows of shimmering big tapestries, created by artist RETNA (Marquis Lewis), which have been mood-creating, by strains and undecipherable letters and colours, changing Egyptian statues and stone work.
Sure, I loved the singers and their singing immensely, the dancers and their dancing immensely, and the musicians and their music immensely, however the temper they imparted was certainly one of amusement, not intrigue. Maintaining the time in historic Egypt, with its mysticism, may need higher supported the story. The plot was actually operatic in nature, highlighting the burden of loyalty to a trigger on private relationships. Nevertheless, a scene that might have been extra highly effective for right this moment happens when Radamès asks that the prisoners be pardoned, because the priest and crowd name for blood, however it’s temporary, tacked inside a scene of triumph, pageantry, and celebration, and motivated by Radamès personal wishes. Maybe there was an excessive amount of that was enjoyable. Director Zambello insists Aida is a chamber opera. I get her level, however that chamber opera is ready inside a grand opera that makes the entire expertise pleasurable. In lunching with a piece colleague as soon as, she remarked, whereas my plate, that there appeared to be quite a bit happening; it wasn’t a praise. Some nice strains get handed by, akin to Amneris to Aida, “However earthly sorrow just isn’t everlasting.” And how are you going to concentrate on the blood thirsty crowd within the triumph march scene when the music, choral singing, dancing and attention-grabbing and pleasing set is such nice enjoyable? Or really feel the depth of a love affair given so little love time for the lovers. The grand a part of the opera must be in sync with the chamber half.
So, does WNO’s staging focus an excessive amount of on the delights to successfully talk the human tales, or is that this merely the dilemma of grand opera? Properly, we’ll at all times have the music.
The Fan Expertise: [Note: a recent report in the Washington Post stated that ticket sales were down substantially this season. Many KC fans are avoiding attending performances this season as a political protest. I respect people’s views, though I doubt the effectiveness of this form of protest. Without question, the staff and performers of the Washington National Opera rely on our support to continue to provide high quality artistic performances and performers, a group only recently beginning to recover from the shutdowns of the COVID era. The arts are under stress. For this reason and my love of opera, I choose to continue my support of WNO.] https://www.washingtonpost.com/leisure/2025/10/31/kennedy-center-sales/
Performances of Aida have been scheduled for October 24, 26, 29, November 1 for one forged of principals and 25, 30, November 2 for an additional. The opera was carried out in Italian with English supertitles. The opera lasted a bit of over three hours with one twenty-minute intermission. Pre-opera talks got for ticket holders one hour previous to efficiency.
The digital program ebook for Aida and the upcoming performances of The Marriage of Figaro could be accessed at this hyperlink. https://encoremagazine.com/washington-dc/the-kennedy-center-opera-house/aida-the-marriage-of-figaro/
As a heads up, the brand new 20 minute operas of the American Opera Initiative incessantly promote out. Get your tickets for January 2026 early.
Parking within the Kennedy Middle is usually plentiful, with charges round $25 per day, with a small low cost for Kennedy Middle members when reserved forward of the day. The Metro to Foggy Backside and the free crimson Kennedy Middle buses, operating from there to the Kennedy Middle each quarter-hour, are a wonderful possibility. There is a bonus in arriving a bit early. KC incessantly has a number of performances on its totally different levels overlapping, which may create site visitors jams and typically safety checks when VIPs attend.
There are snack stands in the principle foyer, and on the Terrace stage, the KC Café provides meals cafeteria-style at reasonable costs; fantastic eating is on the market on the Terrace stage within the Roof Terrace Restaurant; a reduction is on the market to KC members. Meals and drinks besides water should not allowed contained in the opera home, however you should buy reusable capped containers along with your drinks you could take inside. Take the container again with you in your subsequent KC go to to get a reduction in your drink.
