You know you’re in trouble when a grand new production of Verdi’s “Aida” only catches fire midway through the second act, after the “Triumphal March”—when Amonasro shows up.

Aside from the fiery Amonasro/Aida duet in the third act ... The choreography by Oleg Glushkov was as expected, but shone in an interlude in the Triumphal Scene with buff, shirtless men in blue skirts ...