Finding fresh magic in Aida

Maestro Zubin Mehta (above) rehearses with the National Center for the Performing Arts Orchestra and Chinese soprano He Hui (below).

The conductor cannot count how many productions of Aida he has done; his first was in Montreal in 1964.

"Talking about Aida, people usually think of the scene when Radames returns with triumph and the troops march into the city with horses, but actually it has many individual scenes and there is intense emotion between the roles. Many scenes are like chamber opera," says Mehta.

The maestro says his interpretation of Verdi's music for the Beijing production does not change that much. But since the singers are different, he is flexible, respecting their talents and personalities.

Mehta is delighted to work again with the Chinese soprano He Hui, who sang in Mehta's production of Aida in Vienna and Florence in 2011. The Spanish tenor Jorge De Leon, who sings Radames, has also worked with the conductor many times.

"He Hui has the most beautiful Verdi voice today, and she is really suitable for this opera. She also speaks excellent Italian," says Mehta,

Mehta notes that both he and the soprano like eating spicy food.

"Although I haven't lived in my country (India) for many years, I never stop eating spicy food, no matter Italian, Chinese or Indian food. In Chinese restaurants, I tell them to give me something 'la' (spicy)."