Warsaw Opera takes Aida to Oman

photo: National Opera

The Polish company will be giving three performances of Verdi’s Aida on three consecutive nights in the Omani capital, starting on Wednesday.

The production had its premiere in Warsaw in 2005, directed and designed by Italian Roberto Lagana Manoli.

American soprano Mardi Byers and Bulgarian tenor Kamen Chanev sing the main parts of Aida and Radames, with leading Polish singers in the remaining roles.

According to the Polish Ambassador in Saudi Arabia Witold Śmidowski, who also represents Polish interests in Oman, the visit by the National Opera from Warsaw is the first example of cooperation between Poland and Oman in the field of culture, though there have already been some promising contacts in the areas of archaeology and the protection of historical monuments.

Deputy director of the National Opera Grzegorz Chełmecki has told the Polish Press Agency that taking opera productions on tour is very rare these days in view of the high costs involved. The entire cost of the visit to Muscat has been covered by Oman. Eight containers carrying costumes and sets were dispatched to Oman by sea.

The Royal Opera House in Muscat opened in October 2011, as the third opera in the Arab countries of the Middle East, after Beirut and Cairo. It does not have its own artistic ensemble and serves as the venue for visiting opera and ballet companies, orchestras and soloists. (mk).