Department of Cultural Affairs

By Yali Chen
STAFF REPORTER
Photo Courtesy of Taipei Symphony Orchestra

Taipei Symphony Orchestra (TSO) is set to present Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi?s opera Aida at the Taipei Arena on October 23 and October 25.

In two performances, Italian tenor Mario Malagnini will replace world-renowned opera singer Salvatore Licitra, who died on September 5 at Garibaldi Hospital in Catania, Italy, after he failed to recover from head and chest injuries during a scooter accident on August 27 in the city of Modica near Ragusa.

Malagnini made his debut in September 1984 in Milan, playing a part in Verdi?s opera Il corsaro. The roles he often played in a great number of performances include Don Jose in Carmen, Cavaradossi in Tosca and Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly.

Under the baton of Niksa Bareza, the TSO and Taipei Symphony Orchestra Chorus will work with opera singers from Taiwan and overseas, stage designers from Italy, and sound engineers from France to regale local audiences with the tragic love story of Aida, the Ethiopian princess.

Considered Verdi?s most beloved opera, Aida attracts audiences in performances around the world year after year. The story in four acts centers on the themes of love and patriotism. It depicts Ethiopian princess Aida, captured in battle and forced as a slave to serve the terribly spoiled Egyptian princess Amneris. Aida falls in love with Radamas 冬 an Egyptian military commander who is supposed to marry Amneris but secretly loves Aida.

The Ethiopian army led by Aida?s father Amonasro confronts with Egyptian forces led by Radamas. Aida is torn between her love for Radamas and her loyalty to her country. In the bittersweet ending, she and Radamas die together.

Besides tenor Mario Malagnini (Radamas), other musicians in the Taipei performances also include soprano Isabella Kabatu (Aida), mezzo-soprano Rossana Rinaldi (Amneris), bass Giacomo Prestia (Egyptian high priest) and baritone Juan Pons (Amonasro).

Tickets for the two performances are now available at http://www.artsticket.com.tw/ (in Chinese)