When Marcelo Alvarez, the Radames of David McVicar's new Covent Garden Aida, described the production to the Times as "a little like Stargate," we thought he was nuts; when he said opera blogs were "the real cancer of our opera world," our suspicions were confirmed.
Yet it transpires the corpulent loudmouth was right all along. It is indeed a little like Stargate. And a little like Lord of the Rings, a little like Mad Max, a little like Dr Who and a little like just about every shoot-em-up game you've ever played.
Here is the pictorial evidence; words and more photos to follow later.
All the following photos are by Bill Cooper for the Royal Opera House except where noted.
Marcelo Alvarez (Radames):
Robert Lloyd (King of Egypt):
Marco Vratogna (Amonasro):
This images below were taken for the Royal Opera House Brochure at an early stage and don't necessarily reflect the final designs. Costume and styling by Moritz Junge, make-up by Claudia Stolze.
Below are some mood boards, sketches and final photos from Rupert Sanderson, shoe designer.
