Overview
Synopsis
A tragic tale of forbidden love, Aida follows the struggle of the Ethiopian princess, Aida, and the young Egyptian warrior, Radamès, as they try to decide between their love for each other or loyalty to their countries.
Aida has been captured by the Egyptians, who do not know her true identity, and is being held as a slave. She and Radamès have secretly fallen in love. The Princess of Egypt, Amneris, is also in love with Radamès. When she learns of Aida and Radamès's relationship, Amneris threatens her, and promises that she will be victorious in this fight.
Aida’s father, King Amonasro, discovers that his daughter has been captured and declares war on Egypt. In response, the King of Egypt declares Radamès as the leader of his army. and launches a ferocious campaign against the Ethiopians. The Egyptians are victorious, and return with several prisoners of war, including Amonasro, who hides his true identity from them. Amonasro finds out about the relationship between Radamès and Aida, and asks his daughter to find out military secrets.
In celebration of the victory, the King of Egypt declares that Radamès and Amneris will be married. Radamès desperately wants to reveal his relationship with Aida, to prevent the marriage, but Aida convinces him to run away with her instead. With her father hiding in the same room, Aida asks him to tell her where the Egyptian troops will be, so they might plan their escape. But before anyone can take action, Amneris reveals herself; she heard everything and declares Radamès a traitor. While Amneris calls for them to be captured, Amonasro and Aida escape.
Radamès is tried in the temple by Ramfis, and although offered the chance to save himself by giving up the traitors, he refuses. He is sentenced to be buried alive beneath the altar in the temple of Vulcan. As he enters his tomb, Aida is there waiting for him. Amonasro was killed in the escape and now her only remaining loyalty is to the man she loves. Together, they accept their fate, as Amneris prays for peace over the tomb.
Show Information
- Music
- Giuseppe Verdi
- Libretto
- Antonio Ghislanzoni
- Category
- Opera
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 4
- First Produced
- 1871
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Tragedy
- Settings
- Multiple Settings, Spectacle, Period
- Time & Place
- Egypt, Time of the Pharaohs, Memphis, Ancient Times
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Large
- Dancing
- Optional
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- Professional Opera, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Bass |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Bass |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Contralto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
Prelude
Act One
- Introduction ‘Si: corre voce’ - Ramfis, Radamès
- Romance ‘Celeste Aida’ - Radamès
- Duet ‘Quale insolita gioia’ - Amneris, Radamès
- Trio ‘Dessa! … Ei si turba…’ - Amneris, Radamès, Aida
- Scene and Ensemble’ Alta cagion v’aduna’ - Il Re, Ramfis, Messenger, Chorus
- Battle-hymn ‘Su! del Nilo al sacro lido’ - Il Re, Ramfis, Amneris, Radamès, Aida, Messenger, Chorus
- Aria ‘Ritorna vincitor!’ - Aida
- Grand Scene of the Consecration ‘Possente Fthà!’ - Gran Sacerdotessa, Ramfis, Chorus
- Dance of Priestesses
- Prayer ‘Nume, custode e vindice’ - Ramfis, Radamès, Chorus
Act Two
- Introduction, Chorus of Women ‘Chi mai, fra gli inni e i plausi’ - Chorus, Amneris
- Dance of the Slaves
- Scene and Duet ‘Fu la sorte dell’armi… Amore, amore, gaudio tormentoso’ - Aida, Amneris
- Finale ‘Gloria all’Egitto’ - Chorus
- Egyptian March
- Chorus of Victory ‘Vieni, o guerriero vindice’ - Chorus
- Scene and Chorus ‘Salvator della patria’ - Il Re, Ramfis, Chorus
- Ensemble ‘Che veggo! Egli?’ - Aida, Amneris, Radames, Ramfis, Il Re, Chorus, Amonasro
- Scene ‘Re: pei sacri Numi’ - Radames, Il Re, Amneris, Chorus, Ramfis, Aida, Amonasro
Act Three
- Prayer ‘O tu, che sei d’Osiride’ - Chorus
- Scene ‘Vieni d’Iside al tempio’ - Ramfis, Amneris, Chorus,
- Scene ‘Qui Radames verra!’ and Aria ‘O patria mia’ - Aida
- Duet ‘Ciel! Mio padre!... Rivedrai le foreste imbalsamate’ - Aida, Amonasro
- Duet ‘Pur ti riveggo’ - Radamès, Aida
- Trio ‘Io son disonorato!’ - Radamès, Aida, Amonasro
- Scene ‘Traditor!’ - Amneris, Aida, Amonasro, Radamès
Act Four
- Scene ‘L’abborrita rivale a me sfuggia’ - Amneris
- Duet ‘Già i sacerdoti adunansi’ - Amneris, Radamès
- Judgement Scene ‘Ohi-me! Morir mi sento’ and ‘Spito del Nume’ - Ramfis, Chorus
- Scene and Duet ‘La fatal piedra’ and ‘Morir, si pura e bella’ - Radamès, Aida, Ramfis, Chorus
- Finale ‘Immenso Ftha’ - Chorus, Aida, Radamès, Amneris
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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