Contact: Whitney Hale

Opera Verdi Europa brings “Aida” to life on stage utilizing singers, chorus and symphony orchestra.

Tickets are $40 for the general public, $37 for UK faculty/staff and senior citizens, and $20 for students. Tickets may be purchased at the Singletary Center Ticket Office by calling (859) 257-4929, or online at www.uky.edu/scfa.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 25, 2005) -- The Singletary Center for the Arts will present Giuseppe Verdi's masterpiece, “Aida,” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 31. Opera Verdi Europa will take center stage for this four-act play set in ancient Egypt and Ethiopia presented in a concert format. 

“Aida” takes you on a journey of Radamès and Aida, two lovers who are forced to overcome politics and warfare in order to be together. Aida is an Ethiopian princess who is enslaved by princess Amneris, who also loves Radamès. Radamès is an Egyptian commander who is ordered to conquer Ethiopia. Aida is torn by her love for Radamès and the love for her country in this play, full of drama and mystery.

Under the guidance of Ivan Kyurkchiev, Opera Verdi Europa conducts more than 70 performances around the world every year. The company is heavily influenced by traditional Bulgarian opera, working with other opera groups and symphonies all across Europe. The Opera has achieved great merit because of its diversity in the arts and its incredible staff. Opera Verdi Europa is a collaboration of wonderful singers, choir members, ballet dancers, and orchestra members. Each member of these groups within the Opera has been chosen from Bulgaria’s most talented artisans. Opera Verdi Europa has performed all across Europe. America was added for the first time to their already impressive list of concerts in 2003. Now the Singletary Center for the Arts is bringing the group to UK for what should be one of the finest plays the campus has ever seen.

The performance will take place in Singletary Center’s Concert Hall. Tickets are $40 for the general public, $37 for UK faculty/staff and senior citizens, and $20 for students. Tickets may be purchased at the Singletary Center Ticket Office by calling (859) 257-4929, or online at www.uky.edu/scfa. A pre-concert lecture will be given by Everett McCorvey, director of UK Opera Theatre, at 7 p.m. in the President's Room of the Singletary Center. A reception will also be given prior to the performance for patrons and will include an announcement of the center’s 2005-06 Corner on Classics Series.