Collaboration spotlights artists, and a few animals

Every so often, central Ohio performing-arts organizations get together to create something special.

In 2014 and 2016, the Columbus Symphony teamed with Opera Columbus and BalletMet for two editions of “Twisted,” a program spotlighting the strengths of each group.

For “Aida in Concert” — a new production of the 1871 opera by Giuseppe Verdi — the symphony and opera have collaborated again.

This time, however, they invited the zoo.

Friday night, a donkey, penguin and skunk — plus a pair of camels — trotted, or were carried, across the stage of the Ohio Theatre. The animals, most furnished by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, added atmosphere evocative of ancient Egypt, the setting of Verdi’s opera.

The creatures were clear crowd favorites, but the biggest applause were reserved for the human performers.

As Aida, an Ethiopian princess held against her will in Egypt, soprano Michelle Johnson was powerfully poignant.

Johnson is such a strong singer — stoic but never sullen — that she was able to persuasively root for an Ethiopian military victory on her own, following a stirring choral passage expressing the opposite sentiment.

As Egyptian military leader (and lover of Aida) Radames, tenor Marc Heller was commanding and sympathetic. Among the supporting cast, especially effective was sweet-voiced mezzo-soprano Laura Tucker as Amneris.

The symphony was dazzlingly conducted by Rossen Milanov, who coaxed soft, sensitive sounds in support of the singers, but also drew out bold, fierce playing as needed. The chorus, directed by Ron Jenkins, was decisive and more than once majestic.

As in “Twisted,” to make room for the symphony and chorus, scenery was kept to a minimum — some shrubs, a throne, a loveseat and little else. On the other hand, there was ample room for the menagerie of animals, who emerged during the Triumphal March.

This soaring passage also was the cue for members of the Ohio State University Marching Band, on hand to support the singers and musicians. Some of Columbus’ finest artists — as well as several eye-catching animals — combined to make the evening one to remember.