THE WORLD-FAMOUS ARENA DI VERONA SPECTACULAR COMES TO ADELAIDE OVAL IN A WORLDWIDE EXCLUSIVE FOR TWO HISTORIC PERFORMANCES ON 5 & 6 FEBRUARY 2026. AUDIENCES WILL BE SWEPT INTO ANCIENT EGYPT, WHERE A POWERFUL TALE OF LOVE, WAR, BETRAYAL, AND DESTINY UNFOLDS BENEATH THE STARS.
The world’s greatest tenor, Jonas Kaufmann sings Radamès on Thursday 5 February, while the outstanding Brian Jagde performs the role on Friday 6 February 2026.
In a major cultural milestone for Australia, Franco Zeffirelli’s breathtaking production of Verdi’s AIDA, direct from Italy’s legendary Arena di Verona, will be staged exclusively at Adelaide Oval for two epic performances on the 5th and 6th of February 2026.
For the first time since its creation, Fondazione Arena di Verona’s monumental production of Zeffirelli’s AIDA will be performed outside of Verona, Italy, making its historical international debut in Australia. In a stunning coup for Adelaide, this landmark event will feature the authentic production of AIDA from Arena di Verona, brought to Australia by TEG Live and Condon Presents and will be a truly once-in-a-generation experience to captivate devoted opera lovers and first-time audiences alike.
Hailed as a masterwork of operatic theatre, AIDA will be performed by the 106 musicians of the renowned Fondazione Arena di Verona Orchestra, the 100 members of the Chorus of the Fondazione Arena di Verona, and the Ballet of the Fondazione Arena di Verona, featuring 389 international performers and staff. The international ensemble will be complemented by 300 local cast and crew including 155 extras and a 50-member chorus from State Opera South Australia. The production will be conducted by world-renowned Italian Maestro Nicola Luisotti.
The stellar cast includes Grammy Award-winner Angel Blue, who brings her radiant voice and magnetic presence to the title role of Aida on Thursday 5 February, while Maria José Siri, one of the most important sopranos on the international operatic stage, will perform the role on Friday 6 February. The legendary Elīna Garanča stars as Amneris on Thursday night, with Agnieszka Rehlis performing the role on Friday. Kaufmann and Jagde will share the role of Radamès across the two performances. Amonasro will be performed by Amartuvshin Enkhbat on Thursday and Youngjun Park on Friday, while Morris Robinson appears as Ramfis and Teddy Tahu Rhodes as the King on both nights. Australian soprano Natalie Aroyan will appear as the High Priestess, with the Messenger role to be announced locally.
Directed by the great Franco Zeffirelli, whose lavish vision redefined opera for a global audience, this production is renowned for its towering sets, opulent costumes, and cinematic splendour. Audiences will be transported to ancient Egypt as the sweeping tale of love, war, betrayal and destiny unfolds under the stars at Adelaide Oval.
Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said, “We are proud to host the historic first production of Zeffirelli’s AIDA performed outside of Verona, Italy, which will bring opera lovers from across the country and globe to South Australia. Adelaide Oval is an iconic sporting venue the world over, and now thanks to this monumental production, it will be for art lovers as well, playing host to arguably the world’s best opera singers. South Australia continues to punch above its weight when it comes to hosting major international events, and we will again be in the international spotlight when we welcome the full Italian company featuring 389 international performers and staff. It will also shine a spotlight on local talent, with the international ensemble complemented by 300 local cast and crew including 155 extras and a 50-member chorus from our renowned State Opera South Australia.The world-exclusive production adds to a blockbuster events calendar which makes South Australia a must-visit events destination for everyone – from the Santos Tour Down Under and LIV Golf Adelaide, to Adelaide Fringe, Adelaide Festival and WOMADelaide.”
Tim McGregor, TEG Global Head of Touring said, “Giuseppe Verdi’s AIDA is more than an opera, it’s an unforgettable sensory experience. To bring this internationally revered production, directed by Franco Zeffirelli to Australia for the first time is a defining moment for live performance in this country. With Jonas Kaufmann and Angel Blue leading what is arguably the most stellar operatic cast ever assembled in the southern hemisphere, it will be one of the most extraordinary theatrical events ever staged here.”
Founder of Condon Presents, Patrick Condon, said: “Having produced sold out stadium versions of AIDA in the past in Sydney and Melbourne, it has been my lifelong dream to bring Arena di Verona’s authentic, masterpiece production of AIDA to Australia. Now with Zeffirelli’s production coming to Adelaide, together with the full Italian company and some of the world’s greatest performers, that dream becomes a historic reality.”
First staged at Arena di Verona in 2002 and revered as one of Zeffirelli’s crowning achievements, this production of AIDA has drawn capacity crowds from around the world to the Verona’s 2,000 year old coliseum.
Now, in partnership with Fondazione Arena di Verona and with Stefano Trespidi (Zeffirelli’s longtime associate) as Stage Director, Australian audiences will finally experience the full might of this historic production, complete with its signature processions, sacred temple scenes, and the incredible Triumphal March, in a stadium built for mass theatrical spectacle.
PERFORMANCE DATES
ADELAIDE OVAL
● Thursday 5 February 2026
● Friday 6 February 2026
Pre-sales start from Wednesday the 10th of September 12pm (local time)
General Public on sale: Wednesday 17th September, 1pm (local time)
Join the waitlist now for early access and tour information: https://arep.co/m/aida-waitlist
QUICK FACTS
● First time Franco Zeffirelli’s production of AIDA has ever been staged outside of Verona, Italy
● In celebration of the 100-year anniversary of Arena di Verona
● Two performances at Adelaide Oval on 5 & 6 February 2026
● Over 400 international performers and staff, plus 300 local chorus, orchestra, extras, cast & crew
● Supported by the South Australian Government, the Adelaide Economic Development Agency, and City of Adelaide
● Partnering with State Opera South Australia (SOSA) & the Adelaide Festival
CAST LINE UP
AIDA Cast
● Radamès: Jonas Kaufmann (Feb 5) / Brian Jagde (Feb 6)
● Aida: Angel Blue (Feb 5) / Maria José Siri (Feb 6)
● Amneris: Elīna Garanča (Feb 5) / Agnieszka Rehlis (Feb 6)
● Amonasro: Amartuvshin Enkhbat (Feb 5) / Youngjun Park (Feb 6)
● Ramfis: Morris Robinson (both performances)
● King: Teddy Tahu Rhodes (both performances)
●Messenger: Local TBC (both performances)
● High Priestess: Natalie Aroyan (both performances)
● Conductor: Nicola Luisotti (both performances)
MEDIA CONTACT: Mollie Quinn – Flourish PR – mollie@flourishpr.com – 0477 112 611