Aida and Madama Butterfly at The Alexandra Birmingham on 19 & 20 April 2023

Verdi’s Aida

Senbla presents Opera International’s award -winning Ellen Kent Production featuring the Ukrainian Opera & Ballet Theatre Kyiv, with international soloists, highly -praised chorus and full orchestra. Welcoming back the fabulous Korean soprano Elena Dee.*

With a new spectacular interpretation of the classic opera ‘Aida’, the grandest of all Ellen Kent’s operas returns to the UK with a stunning new traditional production, boasting an impressive set built by Set-Up Scenery in the UK, who also build sets for the Royal Opera Covent Garden.

In Aida, the splendour of Egypt is set against the grandeur of the Coliseum of Rome with Ellen Kent’s direction influenced by the ancient Greek dramas of Euripides and symbolising the powerful religious hold of the priests of Egypt. This tragic story of war, jealousy and revenge at whose heart is the doomed love of the beautiful Ethiopian slave girl, Aida, and the Egyptian hero, Radames, is brought to life in a production set against one of the greatest pieces of music Verdi ever wrote with the well-known arias “Celeste Aida”, “Ritorna Vincitor” and the classic “Triumphal March” featuring a temple dance, cascades of glittering gold and amazing fire performers.

Sung in Italian with English surtitles. * Cast subject to change.

“Visually and vocally gripping from start to finish” The Independent

“Bursting with colour, grandeur and wealth” Edinburgh Evening News

“Aida has one of the most imposing sets you will see on an operatic stage” Manchester Evening News.

Puccini’s Madama Butterfly

Senbla presents Opera International’s award-winning Ellen Kent Production featuring the Ukrainian Opera & Ballet Theatre Kyiv, with international soloists, highly praised chorus and full orchestra. Welcoming back the fabulous Korean soprano Elena Dee.*

“Above all it was a production which captured the raw emotion at the centre of the opera. Don’t take a handkerchief with you, take a box of them.” The Independent

Winner ‘Best Opera Award’ Liverpool Daily Post Theatre Awards

Back by overwhelming public demand, this award-winning Opera returns in a new production with exquisite sets including a spectacular Japanese garden and fabulous costumes including antique wedding kimonos from Japan.

One of the world’s most popular operas, Puccini’s Madama Butterfly tells the heart -breaking story of the beautiful young Japanese girl who falls in love with an American naval lieutenant – with dramatic results.

Highlights include the melodic ‘Humming Chorus’, the moving aria ‘One Fine Day’ and the unforgettable ‘Love Duet’.

Sung in Italian with English surtitles* Cast subject to change. Please note that certain seats may have restricted views of the surtitles. Please check when booking tickets. All information is correct at time of release.