介绍:
Opera fans from all over town flooded into the center of Beijing and filled this giant egg of the National Center of Performing Arts this week, to enjoy a new production of Aida. It is effectively an international production, with the music genre originated from Italy, telling a wartime love story based in the Nile River Delta, conducted by an Italian maestro, and featuring a Chinese soprano. Such a combination is a nod to Beijing's cosmopolitan nature.
Zubin Mehta says he accepted doing this production because of his wife's love of China, because of his impression of the magnificent opera house of the center, and most importantly, because he was touched by the stage design.
"Finally I accepted doing this production is because of the stage design of Mr. Fragelio. They brought some modern designs that I didn't like, something about the space age and rocket. And then I saw this design. I have to do it."
The stage design is huge and sophisticated. Right after the curtain rises, the audience witness the stage divided into two parts, the front is a desert, and behind is a rippling river across the whole stage. It takes a moment to figure out if they're real or not, especially when later an exquisite boat steered by two African dancers slowly glides on it. Throughout the whole show giant projections were set up from time to time, showing ancient Egyptian figures and patterns, sometimes even two layers. Needless to say the huge castle, the warrior ship, and the Sphinx, fill the large stage. But at the same time are in harmony with each other and suit the space itself. The story ends in a rain of sand in the living tomb when the lovers uttered their affection to each other. It was like they were really swallowed by the accumulation of the sand while enjoying the peaceful moment belonging only to themselves. Regardless of death.
However, to any opera, music is still the essence. Zubin Mehta says the orchestra, chorus and musicians brought out all of his expectations. If there's a moment that can be called magic, it should be the realization of both grand opera and chamber opera effects.
"Listen. This opera is a brand opera. But it has two dimensions. There are scenes where 100 singers show up at the same time. And there are Chamber opera scenes with two people. Both intimacy and grandness are realized very well."
Zubin Mehta handpicked Chinese soprano He Hui for this production. And he has also chosen Chinese pianist Lang Lang to present a concert. He speaks highly of his collaboration with Chinese artists.
"Hui He is a wonderful soprano. We cooperated in Vienna. We know each other. Langlang is one of the greatest pianists in the world. We're very at home on the stage."
The maestro noticed the great trend in China that people fall in love with western classical music. Some 150 million Chinese children study music. A lot of new concert halls are built up. Big changes have happened since he first visited China 20 years ago.
"China is exploding, as far as culture is concerned. New concert halls are coming up. But NCPA is the center of the culture in China, no doubt. Chinese audience is opening up with open arms. Everybody is studying piano and violin. You have a bright future in classical music."
Opera fans who cannot make it to the scene can enjoy this production of Aida online live on Feb. 1st. And it will later be put onto big screen.
For Studio Plus, this is Liu Xiangwei.
