The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) will present a high-definition screening of Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida on May 6 at 5:30 p.m. at Glorietta 4, Cinema 1, in Makati City, as part of The Met: Live in HD – Season 10.
The production, directed by Tony Award-winner Michael Mayer, is the fourth installment of the CCP’s ongoing series in partnership with the Metropolitan Opera of New York, the Filipinas Opera Society Foundation, and Ayala Malls Cinemas.
Set against the backdrop of ancient Egypt, Aida tells the story of a forbidden romance between the enslaved Ethiopian princess Aida and Egyptian military commander Radamès. Their love becomes entangled in the conflict between Egypt and Ethiopia, highlighting themes of loyalty, love, and national identity.
“I’ve always been obsessed with ancient Egypt,” Mayer said in a statement. “I loved the visuals, the symbolism, the pomp, the pyramids, the mummies.” The director, known for his interpretations of Rigoletto and La Traviata, brings a fresh visual approach to Verdi’s classic, integrating historic monuments with animated projections.
Soprano Angel Blue stars in the title role, with tenor Piotr Beczała as Radamès and mezzo-soprano Judit Kutasi as Princess Amneris. Music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, a 2025 Grammy nominee for Best Opera Recording, conducts the production.
Originally commissioned by the Khedive of Egypt and inspired by a scenario written by French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette, Aida premiered in 1871 and is one of Verdi’s most enduring works. The opera explores personal sacrifice amidst imperial conflict, offering both spectacle and emotional depth.
Tickets are priced at P350, with a discounted rate of P100 available to students and young professionals with valid IDs. Tickets may be purchased at the cinema’s ticket booth or through www.sureseats.com.
