Tulsa Opera returns to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center for its 75th-anniversary gala concert production of Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida in concert with costumes, featuring Michelle Bradley in the title role. Recognized as one of today’s most noted Verdi sopranos, Ms. Bradley has performed the role of Aida at the San Diego and Prague State Operas and in concert with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. She has also sung in Verdi productions at the Metropolitan Opera, Wiener Staatsoper, Deutsche Oper Berlin, and Cincinnati May Festival.
Aida’s beloved, Radamès, is sung by tenor Brian Jagde, who reprises the role after first performing it at San Francisco Opera. Mr. Jagde is heard performing lead roles regularly on the world’s greatest stages, including the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera, Royal Opera House, Wiener Staatsoper, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Teatro Massimo, and Teatro di San Carlo.
Bass Morris Robinson returns to Tulsa as the High Priest, Ramfis, having previously made his company debut as Sparafucile in Tulsa Opera’s “baseball Rigoletto.” Mr. Robinson was the first African American artist to sign with a major classical record label and has been heard in opera houses from La Scala to the Metropolitan Opera to the Sydney Opera House.
Three-time Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung is cast as Amneris, a role she most recently performed in her English National Opera debut. She is an international opera star who is heard regularly from Tokyo to Bayreuth, and in addition to her ENO debut, she has performed the role of Amneris at Cincinnati Opera, Chicago’s Ravinia Festival, Theater Basel, Wolf Trap Opera, and with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Baritone Todd Thomas, who memorably performed the title character in Tulsa Opera’s “baseball Rigoletto” and has performed other leading Verdi roles with opera companies throughout the world, sings the role of Amonasro; and soprano Victoria Lawal, who has starred in world premieres commissioned by LA Opera and The Glimmerglass Festival, sings the role of the High Priestess.
The performance is led by Daniela Candillari, newly named Principal Conductor of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and Principal Opera Conductor of Music Academy of the West