DVD 11019 AIDA (Verdi)

Well what a peculiar production. Spectacular in a bizarre way, well sung and convincingly acted but .......where is it set? What is going on? Your guess is as good as mine. It seems more like La Juive than Aida ( why not this is Paris after all) but the extraordinary this is I truly cannot make up my mind.....it will,certainly bear repeated watches to make up my mind. The production is totally consistent and if you have seen clips or glimpses you will know if this irritates you past endurance or you think it is "interesting" . The cast are 100% behind it and the mix of experienced and newer singers balances well. For some this will be a step too far from Egypt to ---- well Catholic/Muslim/Jew what and who are these people? And perhaps that is the genius of the production....it removes us from the classic view of the opera and story and makes us re-think Aida. So not for the traditionalist but give it a try - either it will end up in the bin or like me you'll want to go on trying.