Stockholm 2018-03-16 For the first time, AIDA at the Royal Swedish Opera Broadcasted Worldwide On the 17th of March at 3 pm (CET), Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida from the Royal Swedish Opera will be broadcasted live in Europe via OperaVision, a new open platform for live streaming. Following the premiere on the 24th of February, the performance with a young and aspiring cast was completely sold out. The title role, Aida, is portrayed by the 27-year-old Swedish soprano Christina Nilsson who has made a sensational debut at the Royal Swedish Opera. Media has particularly praised the credibility of the young love couple. Aida’s beloved Radamès is portrayed by the 30- year-old Italian tenor Ivan Defabiani. Canadian Director Michael Cavanagh has staged a love triangle where Aida, a prisoner of war; commander Radamès and princess Amneris are torn between unyielding private emotions and public obligations. The internationally celebrated Royal Court Singer Katarina Dalayman has received great reviews for her part as Amneris. ”Aida never ceases to fascinate us. It is an impossible love story really, and through the music we are thrown between hope and despair,” says Birgitta Svendén, CEO and Artistic Director of the Royal Swedish Opera. The EU funded open platform OperaVision, was launched in 2017 by 30 opera companies from 18 countries. The platform is part of Opera Europa, a European association for opera companies and festivals. The Royal Swedish Opera has been part of the association since it started up in 2003 with Birgitta Svendén, as the Board Chairperson. KUNGLIGA OPERAN AB Box 160 94, 103 22 Stockholm BESÖKSADRESS Jakobs Torg 4 WWW . OPERAN . SE "The purpose of OperaVision is to make the art form available for as many people as possible, to get more people to understand and appreciate it as well as get more visitors. This is a unique project and I am glad and proud that the Royal Opera is not only part of it but also takes the lead and offers it for free”, says Birgitta Svendén. Last autumn the Swedish soprano Christina Nilsson won the International Renata Voice Competition. Previously, she won first prize in the Stenhammar International Music Competition. Italian tenor Ivan Defabiani was only discovered last autumn by Artistic Director Birgitta Svendén when she visited Parma in Italy. Conductor Pier Giorgio Morandi recommended a visit Piacenza where Ivan was taking part in Verdi’s Simone Boccanegra, with Morandi conducting. Alongside her highly successful international career as a dramatic soprano, Katarina Dalayman now enjoys huge success through her portrayals of powerful characters. She has previously performed live via cinema performances at the Metropolitan Opera. The Soloists, Choir and Royal Orchestra participate in the production under the direction of Pier Giorgio Morandi, who has become famous not least for his interpretations of the repertoire of Italian opera. In addition to Ivan Defabiani, Alessandro Cacciamani is a guest soloist playing the role of Ramfis. Magdalena Åberg has created the decor which is dominated by gold and concrete: “Since we use camera techniques in certain scenes, it will be easy to make associations with memories. I would like to call it a palace of emotions.” Linus Fellbom is responsible for the lighting. His most recent assignment was the direction and lighting for celebrated production of Dracula at the Royal Swedish Opera. The production of Aida is a new interpretation and set in the context of war between two nations. Aida could easily be a scene from any current tragic situations of war around the world or dystopic communities that are causalities of war. Press photos: http://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/kungliga_operan/latest_media/tag/aida#filter-list-items Reviews: “Great debut for Christina Nilsson as Aida in Stockholm” – Bachtrack “Breakthrough of large dimensions” – Svenska Dagbladet “Sensational breakthrough” – Swedish Radio Coming soon on OperaVision, www.operavision.eu: March 21 at 19:00 CET: Eros and Psyche (music: Ludomir Rózycki, director: Barbara Wysocka) March 23 at 19:30 CET: Blaubart (music: Jacques Offenbach, director: Stefan Herheim) TORBJÖRN ERIKSSON MANAGER PRESS RELATI ONS , EDITOR ROYAL SWEDISH OPERA M O B I L E + 4 6 70 634 43 53 KUNGLIGA OPERAN AB Box 160 94, 103 22 Stockholm BESÖKSADRESS Jakobs Torg 4 WWW . OPERAN . SE [email protected] operan.se KUNGLIGA OPERAN AB Box 160 94, 103 22 Stockholm BESÖKSADRESS Jakobs Torg 4 WWW . OPERAN . SE .