Luxor - The southern Egyptian resort of Luxor was thronged with thousands of visitors yesterday for the "most spectacular production ever" of Verdi's Aida. Directed by the Italian director, Attilio Colonnello, the £16 million production is the first since the government tried to defy its violent Islamist opponents by staging Aida in 1994, one of the bloodiest years in the militants' campaign.
This year's performance marks the 125th anniversary of the Egyptian premiere of Aida. The opera, commissioned by Khedive Ismail for the opening celebrations of the Suez Canal, tells the love story of an Ethiopian slave and an Egyptian commander.