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Verdi's masterpiece - one of them anyway - AIDA, has it's final Orange County, CA, performance Tuesday, 8 p.m., Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Costa Mesa, CA. It is not to be missed.        Aida, the 1871 spectacle usually performed with "a cast of thousands," including animals, which debuted at the Cairo Opera House, is distilled to its essential elements, which are quite enough to enthrall an audience.  Local critics were lavish in praise of the South African soprano, Kelebogile Besong, making her North American debut, in the role of Aida at Segerstrom Concert Hall.                    This is one of the great operas everyone should see at least once.  It is awash with military and political intrigue, a love triangle and enough gorgeous Verdi music to thrill.         Besong as Aida, slave to the Egyptian princess Amneris, played by local diva, Milena Kitic, is besotted with the Egyptian military hero, Radames, the man Amneris wants for herself. Aida, herself a princess, unknown to her captors, is distraught when the victorious General Radames brings back defeated enemies, which include Aida's father, the king.          The ingenious staging in an oversized downstage sandbox, with the fabulous 88 - piece Pacific Symphony Orchestra, Carl St. Clair conducting, on stage behind the actors, works rather well. The chorus and dancers ...

You have one last chance to see Maestro Carl St. Clair and Pacific Symphony's semi-staged live performance of Georges Bizet's (1838-1875) masterpiece opera, "Carmen" as it takes the stage Tuesday, February 24, 8 p.m., at the Costa Mesa, CA, Segerstrom Concert Hall. Having seen "Carmen" several times in full productions, I knew this was a show which could be effective in a concert format. And it was. The spectacularly beautiful voices carry the story of a hapless Spanish soldier, Don Jose, who falls under the enchantment of the gypsy cigarette factory girl, Carmen, who knows no loyalty or duty except to her romantic desires. This production is rich in talent: Milena Kitic, a Newport Beach resident, and world-acclaimed mezzo-soprano, plays Carmen as a beautiful woman supremely confident in her allure. Andrew Richards, tenor, seen as the duke in the late Opera Pacific's "Rigoletto," is mesmerized instantly by Carmen. Konstantin Smorigina, bass-baritone, is bullfighter Escamillo, who has been adored by everyone, so of course, Carmen must have him. Elizabeth Caballero, soprano, is Micaela, Don Jose's endlessly loyal hometown girl. The supporting cast of soldiers and smugglers are wittily engaging with beautiful voices. Andrew Gangestad, bass, another Opera Pacific singer, is Don Jose's superior ...