Two camels have been cast in starring roles in Opera Australia’s upcoming production of Verdi’s Aida, to be staged on Coolangatta Beach in September.
The one-humped divas will be transported from Sydney to the Gold Coast, where they’ll make their nightly seaside appearances in Griffith Opera on the Beach – Aida, draped in luxurious gold trimmed costumes. The operatic duo of Sid and Daisy are already well versed in the ways of Verdi after making their debut in Opera Australia’s production of Aida for Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour back in 2015.
Throughout its long performance history – it premiered in 1871 – Aida is perhaps best known for its extravagant outdoor performances, that also includes a long-standing tradition of casting live animals to add to the spectacle. Renowned the world over as the ultimate ‘grand’ opera, it is universally loved by existing opera fans and those trying it out for the first time.
Bursting onto the elaborate pop up stage on Coolangatta Beach in all its Egyptian glory, with waves lapping nearby and the starry skies above, it will be the perfect setting to experience opera at its very best, and a highly entertaining and unique night out for the whole family.
Starring alongside the soon to be famous camels, are some of Australia’s finest singers including Natalie Aroyan, Michael Honeyman, Milijana Nikolic and Gennadi Dubinsky. Accompanying them will be a 55-strong chorus made up almost entirely of local Gold Coast singers, and a special guest appearance by some resident surf life-savers.
Griffith Opera on the Beach – Aida plays for six performances on the Gold Coast’s Coolangatta Beach from 21 – 30 September 2017 – 6.30pm. For more information, visit: www.opera.org.au for details.
Image: Camels Sid and Daisy – as they appeared in Opera Australia’s production of Aida for Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour back in 2015 (supplied)