Cheney's daughters, Congressmen attend opera Aida in Cairo

The opening ceremony of the Aida 2002 staged on the Pyramids plateau was Thursday. The shows of the famous Opera, to run until October 13, are held in cooperation with the private sector for the first time.

Minister of Culture Farouq Hosni and a number of leading statesmen are scheduled to attend the show along with many Arab and foreign diplomats.

Russian Elina Zelinska will play the Prima Dona in the Opera whose orchestra will be conducted for the first time by Egyptian maestro Yasser Nader Abbas and will be directed by Adel Abdel Moneim kamel.

Abbas will be leading 110 musicians and 150 singers from the Opera House chorus in addition to the Italian Acabla chorus, according to Opera House chairman Samir Farag.

Verdi 's Aida has become one of the landmark Egyptian cultural events and has proved quite popular abroad as it attracts many tourists to Egypt, said Farag.

High-tech equipment and the latest techniques will be used in this spectacular show whose historical venue will add to its solemn and impressive impact, added Farag.

He said the stage has also been developed and the hydraulic background will be used to change the scenes.

Egyptian TV will air the show live on channel 2 and the Egyptian satellite channel in addition to a number of Arab and international TV stations, said the Opera House chairman.

Meanwhile, the shows will be attended by a number of dignitaries including Egypt's First Lady, World Bank chairman, Syrian Defence Minister Mustafa Tallas, Syrian Culture Minister Nagwa Qassab, US Vice President daughter, a number of Congressmen and 20 lords at British House of Common.