I was picturing my favorite Verdi classical opera, the tragic love story of an Ethiopian princess and an Egyptian army officer, on the largely barren crest of the 2,000-year-old Jewish fortress of Masada.
Alas, it seems it will be “at the footsteps” of Masada in June, apparently on the west side, “with the majestic mountain as a backdrop” not far from the Dead Sea. Well, a few miles from it, actually, though in the stark landscape out there it doesn’t seem that far away.
Now that I think of it, it would be a bear trying to get all those sets and stuff, not to mention the musicians, the dancers, the extras, and the cast, up on the top with only two cable cars. Asking them to use the long, winding “snake path” would be out of the question. Then, there’s the audience, going and coming. Couldn’t work, obviously. Pity.
It’s still impressive, the Israeli Opera doing such a thing out there. Wonder what the ghosts will make of it all?
THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER 
Oh, this mystery is simple. You see, there is another way to the footsteps of Masada, the one that goes from above, before you reach the level of the Dead Sea. This is the road used by Romans.
Aida is a traditional show. And the amphitheater on the West side of Masada is used for an audio-visual replay of the Masada story, quite impressive if you don’t mind the heat.
I’ve read about the light shows staged from the western side.
It’s not “the footsteps” of the mountain I was wondering about, but getting to and from the top. Unless you mean the tourist “hiking” path up the Roman ramp, which looks altogether too precarious for moving more than a few cardboard boxes at a time.
On the rest of it, our recent visit being so hurried, I came away with an imperfect understanding, obviously. I will go back and reread the extensive parks brochure. Also awaiting “Back to Masada,” a 2009 book updating the archaeology there, edited by Amnon Ben Tor.
And looking forward to visiting again and spending more time there.
I just got back from there. Actually the stage and theater setup so that Masada, with it’s large colored spot lights, sits perfectly in the background as a convenient living backdrop. Amazing stuff.