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Aida

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ACT I, Scene 1 At the royal palace in Memphis, the high priest Ramfis tells the warrior Radamès that addressed simply “Maestro Verdi, Italy” Ethiopia is preparing another attack against Egypt. Radamès hopes to command his army. He is in love EGYPTIANS reached him. If Verdi's fame and success with Aida, the Ethiopian slave of Princess Amneris, the king’s daughter. Radamès dreams that victory in were translated into today's terms, he would the war would enable him to free her and marry her () . But Amneris loves Radamès, and King of Egypt bass be a rock star. Apart from being a leading when the three meet, she jealously senses his feelings for Aida. A messenger tells the king of Egypt musical figure, he was a political figure and the assembled priests and soldiers that the Ethiopians are advancing. The king names Radamès to Radamès [rah-dah-MESS] tenor iconized by thousands of Italians. lead the army, and all join in a patriotic anthem. Left alone, Aida is torn between her love for Radamès Egyptian general who hopes to and loyalty to her native country, where her father, Amonasro, is king (Ritorna vincitor) . She prays to lead the army against the Verdi turned down the Khedive's invitation the gods for mercy. enemy so he can dedicate his to write an "ode" for the new victory to his love Aida. because "I am not accustomed to compose ACT I, Scene 2 In the temple of Vulcan, the priests consecrate Radamès. morceaux de circonstance ”, translated to Ramfis orders him to protect the homeland. Amneris mean “occasional pieces.” Some scholars Giuseppe Verdi conducting the [ahm-NEH-ris] mezzo-soprano claim that Verdi refused to create an opera ACT II, Scene 1 Ethiopia has been defeated, and Amneris waits for the Proud Egyptian princess in Paris Opera premiere of Aida for the Khedive many times, but finally (sung in French) at the Palais triumphant return of Radamès. When Aida approaches, the princess love with Radamès and jealous agreed when he was told that they were Garnier on 22 March 1880. sends away her other attendants so that she can learn her slave’s private of her slave Aida. going to offer the opportunity to . feelings (Duet: Fu la sorte dell’armi) . She first pretends that Radamès has fallen in battle, then says he is still alive. Aida’s reactions leave no Ramfis [RAHM-fees] bass th Powerful High Priest of the god 2013 marks the 200 anniversary of Giuseppe Verdi's birth. During doubt that she loves Radamès. Amneris, determined to be victorious over Ptah. His name is sometimes October, special events are scheduled in the city of , Modena, her rival, leaves for the triumphal procession. spelled Ramphis. Roncole Verdi (where he was born), and (where he grew up and was the town's music master as a young adult). Opera ACT II, Scene 2 At the city gates the king and Amneris observe the High priestess soprano performances are held in the di Parma , one of Italy's celebrations and crown Radamès with a victor’s wreath (Triumphal Though not seen on stage, the historic opera houses, and in Busseto at . scene: Gloria all'Egitto) . Captured Ethiopians are led in. Among them is high priestess plays a vital role Amonasro, Aida’s father, who signals his daughter not to reveal his in the consecration scene, Verdi did not attend the premiere in Cairo, and was displeased when when the priests, priestesses, identity as king. Radamès is impressed by Amonasro’s eloquent plea for he found out that the audience consisted of invited dignitaries, mercy and asks for the death sentence on the prisoners to be overruled and Radamès invoke the blessing of Ptah. politicians, and critics, but not the general public. He considered the and for them to be freed. The king grants his request but keeps Amonasro premiere at La Scala as the real one. in custody. The king declares that as a victor’s reward, Radamès will have ETHIOPIANS Amneris’s hand in marriage. Intermission “In spite of Aida 's widespread appeal—it is prevented from being

Amonasro among the top ten only because of the large scale resources required ACT III On the eve of Amneris’s wedding, Ramfis and Amneris enter a temple on the banks of the Nile to stage the piece—there was one person who didn't care for the new to pray. Aida, who is waiting to meet Radamès in secret, is lost in thoughts of her homeland (O patria [ah-mohn-AHZ-roh] baritone King of Ethiopia who leads his opera and demanded a refund. Shortly after the Parma premiere, mia) . Suddenly Amonasro appears. Invoking Aida’s sense of duty, he makes her promise to find out army to attack Thebes. He Prospero Bertani was bold enough to write the composer directly, from Radamès which route the Egyptian army will take to invade Ethiopia (Duet: Rivedrai le foreste forces Aida, his daughter, to demanding not only the cost of his ticket, but reimbursement of train imbalsamate) . Amonasro hides as Radamès enters and assures Aida of his love (Duet: Pur ti betray the man she loves. fare and dinner. Slightly amused, the composer asked his publisher riveggo, mia dolce Aida) . They dream about their future life together, and Radamès agrees to run Ricordi to write a check for everything but the meal, which he would away with her. Aida asks him about his army’s route, and just as he reveals the secret, Amonasro Aida [ah-EE-dah] soprano emerges from his hiding place. When he realizes that Amonasro is the Ethiopian king, Radamès is Ethiopian slave to the Egyptian have had anyway. Verdi requested a signed remittance from Bertani desperate about what he has done. While Aida and Amonasro try to calm him, Ramfis and Amneris princess Amneris. Her name is for the sum promising that the latter would never again subject himself step out of the temple. Father and daughter are able to escape, but Radamès surrenders to the priests. also spelled Aïda. She must to the ‘horrible specters’ of his music, unless the composer personally choose between her love for Intermission authorized it and covered the expenses. Bertani happily produced the the Egyptian, Radamès, and necessary documentation. Verdi then instructed his publisher to print ACT IV, Scene 1 Radamès awaits trial as a traitor. He believes Aida to be dead but then learns from loyalty to her homeland. Amneris that she has survived. Amneris offers to save him if he renounces her rival but Radamès the letter in the Italian newspapers (‘as many as you like’), which refuses. Brought before the priests, he remains silent to their accusations and is condemned to be Messenger caused the poor man to become persona non grata everywhere he buried alive. Amneris begs for mercy, but the judges will not change their verdict. She curses them. Priests, priestesses went. Signor Bertani implored the composer to revive his reputation, Official but in a flash of his acute mean streak (and affront to his ego), Verdi ACT IV, Scene 2 Aida has hidden in the vault to share Radamès’s fate. They express their love for the Guard wouldn't budge.” last time (Duet: O terra, addio) while Amneris, in the temple above, prays for Radamès’s soul. Nubians Populace, slaves, prisoners Sources: Atlanta Opera, Carolina Opera, and Adapted from Opera News Verdi's Aida: The History of an Opera in Letters and Documents by Hans Busch