<<  -- 2 --  Maria Nockin    A MUST SEE

Khedive Ismail got his wish and Aïda was first seen in Cairo on Christmas Eve of 1871. Verdi did not cross the Mediterranean to see it and let it be known that, for him, the real première was at La Scala in Milan on 8 February 1872. The opera was given in New York City in 1873 and in London in 1876. It was not seen in Paris until 1880, but for L'Opéra, the composer added music to the Act II ballet, thus completing the musical version that is most often seen today.

Opera Pacific's productions are staged at Segerstrom Hall in the Orange County Performing Arts Center which is located a few miles south of Los Angeles. Thus, music lovers from the 'OC', Los Angeles and San Diego areas can commute to its performances. On 22 April 2006, the twenty-year-old company presented Aïda with a cast that made it a 'must see' for Southern California opera goers.

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