by VICTORIA ELIZABETH
CTFashionMag.com
Shakespeare’s macabre 1600s classic (later adapted as an opera in 1847 by the legendary Giuseppe Verde) is exquisitely brought to life as you have never seen it before by the illustrious and visionary Atlanta Opera Team.
Featuring decadently dark visuals and set design, ornate costuming, and superb vocals, the Atlanta Opera’s production of Macbeth is spellbinding from start to finish. 
This classic tragedy, which poignantly explores themes of the consequences of ambition and power opens upon a grimly beautiful ensemble of witches, adorned in their pitch back regalia, who prophesize that Scottish general Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland.
The aforementioned revelation ignites a dark ambition within the general’s wife, Lady Macbeth , who actively encourages her husband to murder King Duncan in order to fulfill this prophecy.
Following a grandiose gathering among elites at the royal palace, Macbeth sneaks into the king’s bed chamber and murders him in his sleep. Consumed by paranoia and guilt following his ruthless act of murder, Macbeth is plagued by horrifying visions of perpetual blood stains on his hands, jarring sounds of a slow beating heart only he can hear, and tormenting visions.
“Macbetto’s” untimely outburst at a dinner party shortly after the coronation, prompts his mastermind wife to admonish him to keep his composure, after which she further urges him to take action toward further protect his power.
Acting further upon his growing psychosis and the ardent promptings of Lady Macbeth, the sinister general commits further acts of violence in order to protect his kingly status, also slaughtering the wives and children as collateral damage while the death toll among prominent nobleman rises at the hands of Macbeth. Upon the killing of Banquo (a general to the king), the bloody visions and haunting intensify, as Macbeth receives ghostly visits by those he slain, and his wife begins to descent into incurable madness.
Riveting, morose, and powerful, Macbeth is a painfully relevant cautionary tale of the repercussions of blind, bloodthirsty ambition.
Operating under the unflappable guidance of production director Tomer Zvulun, every single element of this production molded together seamlessly to create a jaw dropping masterpiece of operatic art. Ivan Lopez-Reynoso guides the supremely talented cast as the conductor while Steven C Kemp and Robert Israel wow as the respective scenic and costume designers. 
Michael Mayes (a baritone with an impressive repertoire of credits including Staatsoper Stuttgart, Houston Grand Opera, English National Opera, The Dallas Opera, and Bergen National Opera), plays the titular role of Macbeth with vibrato and grand aplomb while soprano Sara Gartland is utterly captivating, with crystal clear vocals and a tremendous emotional range as the calculated Lady Macbeth.
Additional standout performances include Won Whi Choi as Macduff (Thane of Fife), who brought ethos and earth shaking emotion to his character while Aubrey Odle’s distinctive and powerful vocals (which have earned her high acclaim with prestigious outlets including the Santa Fe Opera, Metro Opera, and the National Opera Association) well served her portrayal of Lady in Waiting to Lady Macbeth.
The role of the doomed Banquo is brought to life by Grammy Award-winning bass, Morris Robinson, whom is widely considered by many top opera critics and media sources to be the most interesting, and widely sought after, basses performing today. His remarkable resume includes a plethora of esteemed credits including principal roles in “Porgy and Bess,” “The Magic Flute,” and the role of The Commander, which he specifically created for the world premier of Jeanine Tesori’s “Grounded” at the Washington National Opera. 
Special thanks to the wonderful Greg and the entire Atlanta Opera Team for facilitating our visit for this feature, and be sure to follow The Atlanta Opera on all major social media platforms for exclusive inside scoop regarding the upcoming season and much more!
WEBSITE: https://www.atlantaopera.org
PHONE NUMBER: (404) 881-8885
INSTAGRAM @theatlantaopera
