back Aida
Giuzeppe Verdi
AIDA
Opera with 4 acts
Main characters
- Pharaoh of Egypt (bass)
- Amneris` daughter of the pharaoh (mezzo-soprano)
- Amonasro` king of Ethiopia (Baritone)
- Aida` Amonastro’s daughter, Ameneris’ slave (soprano)
- Radames` Captain of the Royal Guard (tenor)
- Ramfis` high priest (bass)
- A messenger (tenor)
- Location of events: Memphis, Thebes.
- Timeline: During the reign of the pharaohs.
First Act
At the Royal Palace in Memphis, the high priest Ramfis announces to the Royal Guard that the Ethiopians are threatening with war. Radames wishes to command the army, to defeat the Ethiopians and to return with glory to his love` the slave Aida. Princess Amneris is in love with Radames. She confesses her feelings to him. Aida hears Amneris’ confession. Her heart floats in between hurting for the faith of her people in Ethiopia and for her love towards Radames. Surrounded by his attendands, the messenger announces the news that the Ethiopian forces, headed by king Amonasro, are heading towards Thebes. The Pharaoh nominates Radames to lead the Egyptian army. The priests bless Radames and hand him the sacred sword. Aida is confused and prays for an Ethiopian victory, knowing well that her people’s victory means the defeat or the death of her love. During these difficult moments, she applies to the gods` asking that they seek mercy upon her.
Second Act
Amneris is bathing in the Royal Palace. Her servants dress and entertain her by singing about Radames’ military heroism. By doubting and Aida’s feelings towards Radames, Amneris resorts to trickery by saying that Radames has been killed in battle. Aida’s confusion confirms Amneris’ doubts and she starts threatening her slave, and then confesses that Radames is alive. The story transports to the square of Thebes: The people welcome the victorious army with all joyfulness. Captain Ramades kneels in front of princess Amneris, who puts a crown on his head. The pharaoh asks him what he wishes to be granted in return. As a response Radames asks that the Ethiopian slaves be brought in. Among the slaves there is Amonasro, Aida’s father, who warns her not to denounce him. By presenting himself as a regular soldier, he announces that the king was killed in battle and asks the slaves were granted freedom. This leaves the Egyptian priests unhappy. Finally, the pharaoh agrees to let the Ethiopian slaves free, by only enslaved their leaders, Amonasro and Aida. He also announces that Amneris would become the wife of the brave captain Radames.
Third Act
Night time at the short of the Nile: Hymns dedicated to Izida are heard from the temple. Amneris, preparing herself for the wedding, comes to the temple to pray. Aida suffers while waiting to meet Ramades for the last time. Amanasro obliges her daughter to understand from Ramades to what direction the forces are going to move. She disproves him, but her father forces her to execute that for the sake of her people’s freedom. Aida suggests her lover to escape together; at first Radames refuses, considering it an act of treachery, but later on agrees and and says that it is necessary to escape from the direction where they preparing to attack on the Ethiopians. Amonasro comes out of the hideout. Ramades, knowing that he has betrayed the homeland, willfully surrenders to the high priest.
Fourth Act
In the Royal Palace, Amneris announces Aida’s and Ramades’ treachery. She confesses to Ramades that she will get apology from the pharaoh if he promises to accept her love. But Ramades is uncompromising. It is up to the priests to declare the verdict. Considered a deserter, a traitor to the homeland, Ramades is given the chance to justify himself, but he is proudly silent. The priests decide to leave him alive under the chalice of God. Ramades waits the hour of death at the cavern of the temple, while thinking about Aida. Suddenly he hears a voice; it’s Aida, who secretly has entered into the cave in order to share the same fate with her love. Ramades is shocked by the idea that Aida is willing to end her life here, but she cheers him up. Amneris’ prayers are assimilated with the last farewell song between the lovers.
Director` Mario Coradi /Italy/
Assistant Director` Yuri Luccini /Italy/
Musical composer` Opera and Battle Academic Theatre’s main composer, Honorable artist of the Republic of Armenia` Karen Durgaryan
Composer` Harutyun Arzumanyan
Stage Designer` Avetis Barseghyan
Conductor` Honorable artist of the Republic of Armenia` Karen Sargsyan
Ballet Master` Honorable artist of the Republiv of Armenia Vilen Galstyan
Lighting` Andrea Borelli /Italy/