TOLEDO – The Toledo Opera returns to its roots with performances of "Aida" Oct. 4 at
7:30 p.m. and Oct. 6 at 2 p.m. at the Valentine Theatre.With its challenging roles, large orchestral and
choral forces, massive scenery, and lush costumes, producing "Aida" is a major challenge. It was
the first opera ever produced in Toledo, in 1959, and launched both the Toledo Opera Guild and what would
become today’s Toledo Opera.The 2013 production is being created in partnership with Opera Carolina and
features a cast of internationally acclaimed guest artists, a substantially expanded Toledo Opera Chorus,
costumes and sets originally created in 2009 for Edmonton Opera, a small troupe of ballet dancers specially
assembled for this production, and the Toledo Symphony Orchestra.After performances in Toledo the production
will move on for performances in Charlotte.Set in ancient Egypt, Aida is a story of forbidden love. Radamès,
the Egyptian Captain of the Guard, falls in love with the beautiful Aida, an enslaved Ethiopian Princess,
and is sentenced to death after he is accused of conspiring with her.Conducted by James Meena, Toledo
Opera’s Principal Artistic Advisor, with stage direction by Brian Deedrick, the cast includes:• Antonello
Palombi, an Italian tenor, who has performed the lead role of Radam?®s throughout Europe and the United
States, including at Italy’s legendary La Scala.• Othalie Graham, the American soprano in the title role,
who has sung with major companies throughout the United States and Europe as well, including the
Metropolitan Opera in New York and the San Francisco Opera.• Irina Mishura, Russian mezzo-soprano who has
appeared at the Metropolitan Opera every year since her debut there in 2000. • Mark Rucker, an American
baritone who debuted in this role Amonasro, Aida’s father and King of Ethiopia, at the Metropolitan Opera•
Sun Yua, Chinese bass-baritone appearing as the Egyptian High Priest Ramfis, who has sung in multiple
productions with Placido Domingo.Ticket prices range from $40 to $90. Visit www.toledoopera.org or call
419-255-7464.
