Beach Theatre continues to expand its offerings with a new ongoing film event: the La Scala Opera Series, which features high-definition, Dolby Digital sound-enhanced screenings of operas performed this season at the illustrious La Scala opera house in Milan, Italy.
This Sunday's selection is Aida. In Verdi's dramatic classic — set in ancient Egypt — an Ethiopian princess, Aida, is captured by the Egyptians and must hide her identity when forced into servitude. The pharaoh's most loyal and respected military commander, Radames, is secretly in love with Aida, and she secretly returns his ardor, but both struggle to remain loyal to their respective countries. To complicate matters, the pharaoh's daughter is also enamored with Radames and seeks revenge against Aida after she tricks the slave princess into revealing her true feelings. Franco Zeffirelli directs the extravagant La Scala production.
La Scala Opera Series, 7 p.m. Sundays through May 25, Beach Theatre, 315 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach, $20, 727-360-6697, beachtheatre.com.
This article appears in Jan 16-22, 2008.