Lavish performance of “Aida” on a huge stage at Tokyo Dome

Opera “Aida” at Tokyo Dome
An impressive performance of the opera “Aida” was given at Tokyo Dome before an audience of 30,000.
It was opera with the double casting of Katia Ricciarelli and Grace Bumbry in the title role of the Ethiopian princess and with Bruno Sebastian as the Egyptian general Radames, Ruza Baldani as the Egyptian king’s daughter Amneris, Louis Quilico as the Ethiopian king Amonasro and Paul Plishka as chief priest Ramfis.
It was opera with the music played brilliantly by the Australian Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Giuseppe Raffa and assisted by the Vancouver Bach Choir.
The 15 meters tall reproduction of the Sphinx split into two to reveal three pyramids and the Nile River.
Then the Grand March was another spectacle with an almost unending line of marchers, together with three elephants, two camels, a tiger in a cage, six horses, a snake, slaves, prisoners and others.
On two giant television screen set up on either side of the stage, close-ups of the singers were shown, together with Japanese language subtitles of the libretto.
Actually, the Big Egg did not have an opera atmosphere. Beer and ice cream were sold, just like at a baseball game. The spectators in the arena had an undisturbed view but a part of the audience watched the distant action through baseball netting. But all in all it was quite an event.
“Aida” was produced by Operama International Opera Festival headquartered in Canada. It was directed by Mauro Bolognini, with Paul Jabarra as chorus master. The production was invited by Nippon Television Network and supported by Marui.