Cape Town Opera’s Bold Reimagining of Verdi’s AIDA at the Artscape This May

Cape Town Opera is set to thrill audiences this May with a grand-scale reimagining of Verdi’s Aida. The opera will be transported into a vivid setting where visual storytelling merges with cutting-edge animation and a striking minimalist set design.

About Aida, a Bold New Production

Set against a backdrop of war, forbidden love, betrayal, and cultural conflict, CTO’s Artistic Director, Magdalene Minnaar, unveils a bold, Africanfuturistic reimagining of this iconic opera.

Aida follows the doomed romance between Aida and the Egyptian military commander Radamès. Torn between love and loyalty, the characters navigate the complexities of personal and national allegiances. With a 52-member chorus and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra under the expert baton of Kamal Khan, Cape Town Opera’s Aida promises to be an extraordinary experience and a theatrical highlight of 2025.

Under Minnaar’s skilful direction, the production explores the opera’s themes through a fresh cultural lens with a curated, avant-garde aesthetic. The integration of bold geometric forms, innovative costuming, and immersive lighting design creates a stage that is both grand and intimate. Gregory Maqoma’s distinctive choreography infuses the production with a unique rhythm, adding depth and dynamism and featuring dancers from Jazzart.

A Stellar All-South African Cast

The stellar cast features guest artist Nobulumko Mngxekeza in the eponymous role, with the recently appointed Cape Town Opera Soloist Nonhlanhla Yende as Amneris. The male leads are CTO House Soloists Lukhanyo Moyake as Radamès and Conroy Scott as Amonasro. In other roles, Ntuthuko Ziqubu is the King of Egypt, Lonwabo Mose is Ramfis, Van Wyk Venter is the Messenger, and Khayakazi Madlala is the High Priestess.

Aida will be sung in Italian with surtitles in English and isiXhosa. With the powerful Cape Town Opera Chorus and Verdi’s rousing score, the musical force of this production promises to be nothing short of spectacular.

This inventive interpretation of Aida aims to feel unexpected yet deeply resonant, leaving audiences captivated by a new vision of one of the world’s most famous operas. The stellar creative team includes Roman Handt on costumes, Louis and Nadine Minnaar on production design, Oliver Hauser on lighting, and animation by Werner Burger and Louis Minnaar at Albino Creations.

A Behind-the-Scenes Look

Aida is made possible through the invaluable support of our Presenting Sponsor, the Christian Ludolph Marais Trust, as well as the Judith Neilson Foundation, the Rupert Music Foundation, and the City of Cape Town.

When: Friday, 23 May to Saturday, 31 May
Where: Artscape Opera House, Artscape Theatre Centre, D.F. Malan St, Foreshore, Cape Town
Cost: R190 to R980 | BOOK NOW