François Rochaix and Robert Israel, who created Seattle Opera’s provocative
RING 2, puzzled some but delighted others with this
Aida, set not in the typical fantasy of ancient Egypt but in Verdi’s world of Italy in the 1870s—the heyday of Egyptology. One of the most controversial productions in Seattle Opera history!

Andrea Gruber (Aida) and Nelly Boschkova (Amneris), in Verdi’s Aida, 1992 © Gary Smith

Michael Sylvester (Radames) and Dong-Jian Gong (Ramfis) in Verdi’s Aida, 1992 © Gary Smith

Verdi’s Aida, 1992 © Gary Smith

Andrea Gruber (Aida) and Brent Ellis (Amonasro), in Verdi’s Aida, 1992 © Gary Smith

Nelly Boschkova (Amneris) and Michael Sylvester (Radames), in Verdi’s Aida, 1992 © Gary Smith

Andrea Gruber (Aida) and Michael Sylvester (Radames), in Verdi’s Aida, 1992 © Gary Smith