Verdi’s Aida is epic in every way and requires a grand production to do the story justice. The Royal Albert Hall is the ideal venue for this large scale work, Raymond Gubbay is currently presenting a glorious staging in the round. I have never seen Aida before, but learnt a little about this famous opera at University in a Verdi module and remember wondering at its grandeur then. Set in Ancient Egypt, this is not an easy production to create visually but set and costume designer Isabella Bywater has done a remarkable job with an evocative backdrop behind the orchestra and a dusty archaeological site covering the stage.

This is a typical Gubbay performance (I sang in several at RAH as a child): atmospheric, dramatic and exciting, making full use of the huge amphitheatre, with characters running through the audience from every entrance, choruses singing up in the Gods, and various props lowered from the ceiling. It is an extraordinary spectacle, the nonstop action makes it utterly thrilling. The production feels strangely foreign and I couldn’t quite figure out why: the concert hall setting? the massive cast? or most likely, the obvious amplification. With the singers all mic-ed up, it feels like the show is being filmed and relayed to a digital audience. It unfortunately removes the viewer slightly from the immediacy of it all.

The cast is huge, and the lead characters are triple cast to avoid over-stretching the star singers. I watched Indra Thomas as Aida, she looks beautiful in a green gown but I was sadly disappointed with her over-acting and under-singing. Her voice is wispy round the edges, vague and indirect, and though she did warm up during the show she wasn’t very believable as the story’s heroine. Aside from that slight reservation, the cast is wholly impressive… Tiziana Carraro gives a stunning performance as the bitter and jealous Amneris and Marc Heller is strong and heroic as Radames. I was particularly impressed by David Kempster who plays Aida’s father: he has a rich and lyrical voice, a joy to listen to, and he acts well too, bringing a sensitive aspect to the role especially when he sings to his daughter while imprisoned.

This production of Aida is overwhelmingly powerful. Act I Scene II in the Temple is particularly enchanting, the large hooded chorus assemble singing a cappella in close harmony, it is a magical moment that stuck with me long after the show had finished. Although I could find minor faults with this production, the night of entertainment will be remembered as one of the most hypnotizing shows I have ever seen.

Aida continues until March 11th, book here.