Yes, the King of the Huns. This early Verdi opera, which premiered when the composer was just 32 years old in 1846, is about that Attila, and this is the first time it's being performed in Australia. Postponed two years due to Covid, this production directed by Davide Livermore is an Opera Australia co-production with the famous La Scala opera in Italy and was a tremendous success at its Milan premiere.
The plot concerns Attila the Hun’s invasion of Italy in the 5th century. Ezio, a Roman general, offers Italy’s empires in exchange for his country’s freedom. Attila will not negotiate, so Ezio plots Attila’s downfall with Foresto, a young knight whose fiancée, Odabella, is among Attila’s slaves. Feisty Odabella already has a plan to kill the Hun: he is transfixed by her beauty and courage, and has foolishly let down his guard.
This production, designed by Giò Forma with costumes by Gianluca Falaschi, relocates the action to fascist Italy during the 1930s, with opulent sets and the use of projections along with two live horses.
Ukrainian bass Taras Berezhansky stars as Attila alongside Australian opera star Natalie Aroyan as Odabella, Diego Torres as Foresto and Marco Vratogna as the Roman general, Ezio. They'll be conducted by Andrea Battistoni.