The Met in HD: Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida
12 p.m.: Pre-Opera Discussion
1 p.m.: HD Opera Broadcast

ADMISSION:
Admission is free. Reservations required. To RSVP, visit http://cinema.usc.edu/Aida.

DESCRIPTION:
The USC School of Cinematic Arts will host a series of satellite broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera presented in spectacular HD digital projection and 5.1 surround sound.

Following a pre-opera discussion hosted by Ken Cazan, chair of vocal arts and opera/resident stage director at the USC Thornton School of Music, we will present a delayed satellite broadcast of Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida. The grandest of grand operas, Aida features an epic backdrop for what is in essence an intimate love story. Set in ancient Egypt and packed with magnificent choruses, complex ensembles, and elaborate ballets, Aida never loses sight of its three protagonists. Few operas have matched Aida in its exploration of the conflict between private emotion and public duty, and perhaps no other opera is so enduringly and unanimously appreciated by audiences and critics alike. Soprano Anna Netrebko sings her first Met Aida, going toe-to-toe with mezzo-soprano Anita Rachvelishvili as Amneris.

Opera running time: 3 hours, 36 minutes. In Italian, with English subtitles.

Presented by USC Visions and Voices: The Arts and Humanities Initiative. Organized by the USC School of Cinematic Arts in conjunction with the USC Thornton School of Music and the Metropolitan Opera.

Photo: Marty Sohl/Metropolitan Opera