A mammoth production of Giuseppe Verdi’s opera, ‘Aida’ reached the stage in Berlin as a finale to a world tour lasting eight years.
On opening night, opera fans old and new flocked to the Berlin Deutschlandhalle for a what has been billed as the biggest opera production in the world.

Brought to the world by Hoffman productions — who also introduced us to “The Three Tenors” — Maestro Giuseppe Raffa is joined by an all-star cast including Leona Mitchell and Wilhelmenia Fernandez as Aida, Dennis O’Neill and Antonio Ordoñez as Radames, Grace Bumbry and Bruna Baglioni as Amneris.

. A splendid specimen of Python. 55 kg it weighs in or on the shoulders of the wearer when evening in Germany Hall has its Star appearance in the gigantic “Aida” production today. Let look even two elephants, three Siberian camels, two horses of Polish origin, a Lipizzaner and forty pigeons her stage duties entgegen.Verdis music do the animals, but especially “Aida”. Insured in any case Pammy Boltini, head of the eponymous circus from Holland. The specializes with his dressage to such indoor and TV shows, already super-charged the “Aida” -Vorstellungen on in Essen, Stuttgart, Munich and Basel. Such animals swarm amongst other show effects can naturally muster no Opera House. And where have fit nearly one thousand contributors to a normal stage? For the production of superlatives on the stairs, making fantastic stage include the attractive scenery with a colossal Sphinx statue, magnificent costumes, lighting effects from 1000 headlights, crowds and big voices. You are in sound technology strengthened. Leona Mitchell, the Aida, praised yesterday during rehearsals the “good sound”.

At Grace Bumbry must renounce: Although it is in Berlin, but can not sing Amneris due to a cold. But was flown from Zagreb Ruza Baldani yesterday which now alternates with Bruna Baglioni as princess. All other singers like film “Diva” Wilhelmenia Fernandez (Aida), Dennis O’Neill and Antonio Ordonez (Radames), Nicola Ghiuselev (Ramfis) and Justino Diaz and Angelo Veccia (Amonasro) feel in top form – in complete Ambiente.Beeindruckt of the size of the room is also the bass Dobroslav Jarolimek from Prague Male Choir, which works in conjunction with the (mixed) Rundfunkchor for the powerful presentation of Egyptian and Ethiopian armies. A look to the conductor Giuseppe Raffa far. But monitors and speakers bridge the distances. Maestro Raffa about the company: “The show is to be a happening and help reduce inhibitions in front of the opera!” Also it is certain that the stage floor, the weight of the elephant and other animals and other creatures endure wird.Peter Buske 2nd-5th November.