Aida

ACT ONE

In a major museum’s Egyptian exhibit, contemporary museum patrons admire ancient Egyptian artifacts. A crowd gathers around an ancient burial chamber. Emerging from the crowd, a beautiful man and woman approach the chamber as if they had seen it before; the estranged couple are Radames and Aida. As they lock in a gaze, Amneris emerges from a nearby artifact to introduce the legend of their ancient love (“Every Story is a Love Story”). The museum visitors trickle out of the exhibit leaving the two lovers alone as their story unfolds.

Decorative sails fly in to reveal Egyptian soldiers loading the fruits of their exploits onto their ship. The soldiers, along with their captain, Radames, celebrate their new found fortune and bravery (“Fortune Favors the Brave”). The celebration comes to a halt when the exquisite Princess Aida and her handmaidens enter, having been captured as slaves. About to be shackled, Aida steals a sword to confront Radames and free her people. Not knowing of