Description
Princess Aida has been kidnapped: a valuable prize in a war between Egypt and Ethiopia. The ambitious soldier Radamès wrestles with his feelings for her. As they draw closer together, each must make a painful choice between their loyalty to home, and their love for each other.
With its huge cast, thrilling score, and sweeping tale of love and heroics in ancient Egypt, Verdi’s Aida has long been a fixture on the stages of every major opera house in the world. Streamed to mark 2026 World Opera Day on 25 October, Cape Town Opera’s production presents Aida with an all-African cast in a bold, African-futurist reimagining of this iconic opera. Directed by Magdalene Minnaar, this production uses extensive video and animation alongside vibrant costumes, creating a futuristic world vividly brought to life with the help of renowned South African choreographer Gregory Maqoma. The design is minimalistic and monumental, combining geometric forms with futuristic lighting to evoke grandeur and mystery. The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra is conducted by Kamal Khan.
Full performance streamed on OperaVision from 25 October 2026 at 19:00 CET to 25 April 2027 at 12:00 CET: https://operavision.eu/performance/aida-1
CAST
Aida
Nobulumko Mngxekeza
Amneris
Nonhlanhla Yende
Radamès
Lukhanyo Moyake
Amonasro
Conroy Scott
Ramfis
Lonwabo Mose
The King
Garth Delport
A messenger
Van Wyk Venter
High Priestess
Khayakazi Madlala
Dancers
Jazzart Dance Theatre
Orchestra
Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra
Chorus
Cape Town Opera Vocal Ensemble
Music
Giuseppe Verdi
Text
Antonio Ghislanzoni
Conductor
Kamal Khan
Director
Magdalene Minnaar
Choreography
Gregory Maqoma
Sets
Louis Minnaar
Nadine Minnaar
Costumes
Roman Handt
Lights
Oliver Hauser
Projection Design & Animation
Trickery (Louis Minnaar & Werner Burger)
Chorus master
Antoinette Huyssen
Watch live streams as the performances themselves unfold in the opera house. Enjoy a variety of shows - including opera, operetta, musical theatre, dance, ballet and concerts. Opera connaisseur or curious newcomer, there is something for everyone on OperaVision.
Managed by Opera Europa, OperaVision is a freeview streaming platform supported by the European Union’s Creative Europe funding programme. Between 2025 and 2028, Creative Europe’s support will help Opera Europa to promote and train emerging artists working in opera and dance. Known as Opera Europa Next Generation, this initiative will give visibility and development opportunities to over 560 emerging artists – in person and online, including via OperaVision – and all thanks to the efforts of a consortium of 44 opera houses and talent development organisations from 17 European countries.
https://operavision.eu/
https://www.facebook.com/OperaVisionEU/
https://twitter.com/OperaVision_EU
https://www.instagram.com/OperaVision.EU/
https://www.tiktok.com/@operavision