On May 8, 2018 George Gagnidze will sing Amonasro in the season premiere of Aida at the Teatro alla Scala, in the historical production by Franco Zeffirelli and under the musical direction of Maestro Daniel Oren, the first of a series of seven performances running through June 3, 2018. He will share the stage with Krassimira Stoyanova in the title role, Fabio Sartori as Radamès, Violeta Urmana as Amneris, Vitalij Kowaljow as Ramfis and Carlo Colombara as Il Re.

Amonasro is one of George Gagnidze’s favorite roles: despite its relative brevity, the Georgian baritone feels a special affinity for a characters that many view as a villain, but who – in his opinion – is a leader trying to save his people and his country. It is also one of his most performed parts, having sung it at the Metropolitan Opera for three season, at the Opéra National Paris, San Francisco Opera, Berlin State Opera, Teatro Real Madrid, and at the Teatro alla Scala once before.

“This Aida cast is exceptional”, says George Gagnidze, “and I am happy to work again with colleagues with whom I have already performed in this opera before, such as Krassimira Stoyanova, Violeta Urmana and Fabio Sartori. I am elated to participate in this Zeffirelli production, viewed by so many opera lovers as the quintessential Aida, and overjoyed to collaborate with Maestro Daniel Oren, who conducted me in the Nabucco which inaugurated the Arena Verona Festival last year.”

After this Milan Aida, upcoming and future engagements for George Gagnidze include his role debut as Barnaba in La Gioconda at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Iago in Otello at the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Michele in Il tabarro and title role in Rigoletto at the Metropolitan Opera, Germont in La traviata and Iago in Otello at the Opéra National Paris as well as Iago in Otello at the Deutsche Oper Berlin.

Information about Aida at the Teatro alla Scala:

Aida: Krassimira Stoyanova; Radamès: Fabio Sartori; Amneris: Violeta Urmana; Amonasro: George Gagnidze; Ramfis: Vitalij Kowaljow; Il Re: Carlo Colombara; Messaggero: Riccardo Della Sciucca; Sacerdotessa: Francesca Manzo / Enkeleda Kamani.

Daniel Oren, conductor; Franco Zeffirelli, stage director

Performances: May 8, 12, 15, 18, 23, 31; June 3, 2018

[Photo: Brescia e Amisano / Teatro alla Scala]