followed. The Metropolitan Opera mounted its first production directed by Pierre Audi on 23 February 2010 conducted by Riccardo Muti, who was making his house debut. Ildar Abdrazakov sang the title role, with Violeta Urmana as Odabella, Ramón Vargas as Foresto, Giovanni Meoni as Ezio, and Samuel Ramey as Leone. Miuccia Prada and the architects Herzog & de Meuron collaborated on costumes and sets. It was presented in September 2011 as part of the Washington Concert Opera's 2011/12 season and was staged by San Francisco Opera in June 2012 in a co-production with La Scala; Ferruccio Furlanetto sang the title role in San Francisco, while Orlin Anastassov sang the role in Milan when the production was first presented there in 2011. The work was presented by Berliner Operngruppe in 2012 in Berlin conducted by Felix Krieger. Roles Synopsis Time: Mid-5th century (it was in 452 that the historical Attila destroyed the city of Aquileia) Place: Aquileia, the Adriatic lagoons, and near Rome Prologue Scene 1: The ruined city of Aquileia Attila and his victorious horde have destroyed the city of Aquileia (Urli, rapine / "Shouts, pillage"). They are surprised to see a group of women spared as prisoners of war (Di vergini straniere / "Ah, what is this group"). Their leader, Odabella, asks why the Huns' women remain at home (Allor che i forti corrono / "While your warriors rush to their swords like lions"). Attila, impressed by her courage, offers a boon and she asks for her sword, with which she intends to avenge the death of her father at Attila's own hand (Da te questo or m'è concesso / "O sublime, divine justice by thee is this now granted"). After she leaves, the Roman envoy Ezio asks for an audience and proposes a division of the empire (Avrai tu l'universo, Resti l'Italia a me / "You may have the universe, but let Italy remain mine"). Attila disdainfully calls him a traitor to his country. Scene 2: A swamp, the future site of Venice A boat bearing Foresto and other survivors arrives. He thinks of the captive Odabella (Ella in poter del barbaro / "She is in the barbarian's power!") but then rouses himself and the others to begin building a new city (Cara patria già madre e reina / "Dear homeland, at once mother and queen of powerful, generous sons"). Act 1 Scene 1: Some weeks later. A