Aida is simply stunning (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Aida is simply stunning

8:12am Friday 16th November 2007 in Highlights By Doreen Friend

ZANDRA Rhodes certainly pulled out all the stops when she designed the costumes and sets for Aida.

The fashion design legend put her individual style and flair into action to provide a masterpiece of shimmering blues, sunburst orange, bright green, reds and all the rusty, dusty colours synonymous with the dessert.

The opera at the London Coliseum is awash with beautiful voices, vibrant music, heart-rending choral numbers and includes acrobats, trumpeters and an amazing mechanical blue elephant.

The opera, which opened last week, is the English National Opera's (ENO) first production of Aida in more than 20 years.

The Pharaoh's daughter Amneris (mezzo-soprano June Dutton), is in love with the captain of the guards, Radames (tenor John Hudson), but he is in love with captured slave Aida (soprano Claire Rutter), and she with him.

To complicate things further Aida, an Ethiopian princess, has hidden her true identity from everyone.

As Radames prepares to lead the Egyptian armies into battle against the invading Ethiopans, Princess Amneris fears that Aida and Radames love each other.

She tricks Aida into admitting it by telling her Radames died in battle. But Radames is victorious and very much alive.

A brilliantly colourful and lively scene follows when Radames enters, triumphant on a gorgeous blue and gold encrusted elephant following a series of dances and acrobatics by slaves.

He proudly displays a group of captured slaves, unaware that Aida's father is among them.

Amonasro tells Radames he can have anything his heart desires, but he can't bring himself to ask for Aida and instead requests pardons for the slaves.

Aida is happy but Amneris seethes with jealousy even though Radames has promised to marry her.

Aida struggles between her love for Radames, her father Amonasro (bass-baritone Iain Paterson) - the King of Ethiopia, and her loyalty to her country.

Reluctantly she agrees to persuade Radames to reveal the battle plans. Radames is sealed alive inside a tomb, Aida discovers this and is entombed with him. Amneris mourns for the love she never had.

The ENO production was wonderful in every way shape and form, as was the orchestra, but occasionally some of the beautiful solos were lost as there was more orchestra than voice.

Aida is Zandra Rhodes first UK production in collaboration with associate designer Adrian Linford, choreographer Jonathan Lunn and lighting designer Bruno Poet.

Aida is at the London Coliseum, St. Martin's Lane, until December 7. Ring 7632 8300 or see related links for the website.