Opera Australia is bringing back Verdi’s Attila, the Company’s first co-production with the prestigious Teatro alla Scala, which had a hugely successful premiere in 2020 but was suspended after only two performances due to the COVID pandemic. The 2021 cast includes celebrated Russian bass, Alexander Vinogradov, in the title role.
“We had magnificent feedback when Attila opened last year and we’ve been getting requests to reschedule it ever since, so I’m very happy that we are able to put it back on in the Sydney Opera House with most of the original cast, and enable all of our supporters to experience such a marvellous production,” says OA Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini.
Known for his work with Opera Australia’s innovative digital productions, renowned director Davide Livermore fuses together modern and traditional staging for Attila with digital projections, a colossal set and even two live horses.
The incredible direction, Giò Forma’s formidable sets, D-Wok’s captivating video designs and Gianluca Falaschi’s stunning costumes combine with Verdi’s soaring music and gripping story, ensuring this production of Attila is nothing short of epic and one not to be missed.
Telling the story of the King of the Huns’ invasion of Italy, this revenge opera will feature a world-class cast including internationally renowned bass Alexander Vinogradov who will be making his Sydney Opera House debut in the leading role of the barbarous Attila.
Opera Australia favourites, soprano Natalie Aroyan and tenor Diego Torre will reprise their roles of the warrior princess Odabella and her fiancé Foresto respectively. After terrorising Sydney audiences as Scarpia in Tosca earlier this year, Marco Vratogna will return to play the determined Roman General Ezio.
Rounding out the principal cast are Company principals Virgilio Marino as Uldino and Gennadi Dubinsky as Pope Leo I; both also reprising their 2020 characters.
One of the most outstanding young conductors in the world today, Italian Maestro Andrea Battistoni will lead the Opera Australia Orchestra, the Opera Australia Chorus and the Opera Australia Children’s Chorus in Verdi’s rarely performed work.
“Combined with the pleasure of thrilling sound produced by the massive ensemble and orchestra … this stunning production of Attila was a night of grand opera that few who experienced it is likely to forget.” – Bill Stephens OAM, Australian Arts Review
Attila
Joan Sutherland Theatre – Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney
Season: 29 June – 10 July 2021
Information and Bookings: www.opera.org.au
Image: Diego Torre as Foresto and Natalie Aroyan as Odabella in Opera Australia’s 2020 production of Attila at the Sydney Opera House – photo by Prudence Upton