AÏDA by Giuseppe Verdi

Cast KING OF EGYPT (bass) AMNERIS, daughter of the king of Egypt (mezzo-soprano) AÏDA, an Ethiopian slave (soprano) RADAMES, captain of the Egyptian guards (tenor) RAMPHIS, high priest of Isis (bass) AMONASRO, King of Ethiopia (Aïda’s father) (baritone) a MESSENGER (tenor) priests, priestesses, ministers, captains, soldiers, functionaries, slaves, Ethiopian prisoners, Egyptian people, etc. etc.

Prelude RADAMÈS Oh happy man! ACT ONE SCENE 1 RAMFIS A Hall in the Palace of the King at looking intently at Radamès Memphis. Youthful and valiant is he. Now I bear the divine Left and right, a colonnade with statues and commands to the King. flowering shrubs. Rear, a great door beyond Exit. which can be seen the temples and palaces of Memphis and the Pyramids. RADAMÈS If I were RAMFIS that warrior! If my dreams Yes, rumor has it that Ethiopia dares were to come true! A valiant army to defy us again and to threaten the Nile led by me… and victory… and the Valley acclamations and Thebes. Soon a messenger of all Memphis! And to return to you, my will bring the truth. sweet Aida, crowned with laurels… RADAMÈS to tell you: for you I fought, for you I Have you consulted conquered! holy Isis? Heavenly Aida, form divine, RAMFIS mystical garland of light and flowers, She has named of my thoughts you are the queen, the commander-in-chief you are the light of my life. of the Egyptian armies. 2

I would return to you your lovely sky, AMNERIS the gentle breezes of your native land; (Woe if my gaze penetrates a royal crown on your brow I would set, that fatal mystery! build you a throne next to the sun. Woe if my gaze penetrates, etc.)

Heavenly Aida, form divine, RADAMÈS mystical gleam of light and flowers, etc. (Perhaps she has read my thoughts!) seeing Aida as she enters Amneris enters. It is she!

AMNERIS AMNERIS Such unwonted joy (He is troubled… and how in your gaze! What he looked at her! noble courage shines in your face! Aida!... Could she Oh, how much to be envied perhaps be my rival?) is that woman whose longed-for image could awaken in you such a flame of turning to Aida rapture! Come, my dearest, come hither; you are neither slave nor servant RADAMÈS here where in sweet enchantment My heart was reveling I called you sister... in a propitious dream. Today the goddess You weep? Reveal the secret has pronounced the name of the warrior who of your tears to me. will lead the Egyptian armies in the field... AIDA Oh, if I were Alas, I hear the dreadful chosen for such an honor! cry of war raging! For my unhappy country, AMNERIS for myself… for you I fear. Did no other dream, more gentle… more sweet, AMNERIS speak to your heart? Do you speak the truth? In Memphis have you No graver care disturbs you? no desires... no hopes? (Tremble, oh wicked slave!)

RADAMÈS RADAMÈS I? (What a question! observing Amneris Perhaps... she has discovered (In her face flash…) the hidden love that bums in my heart...) AMNERlS AMNERIS (Ah, tremble, wicked slave, tremble!) (Ah, woe, if another love should burn in his heart!) RADAMÈS (…anger and suspicion.) RADAMÈS (The name of her slave AMNERIS she has read in my thoughts!) (…lest I penetrate the secrets of your heart!) 3

RADAMÈS RADAMÈS, KING, RAMFIS, PRIESTS, (Woe if our secret love MINISTERS, CAPTAINS she should read in our hearts!) Do they dare so much!

AMNERIS MESSENGER (Tremble lest I learn the truth A warrior indomitable and ferocious, from that weeping and blushing!) Amonasro, leads them.

RADAMÈS RADAMÈS, KING, RAMFIS, PRIESTS, (Woe if she should read in our hearts!) MINISTERS, CAPTAINS The King! AIDA (Ah! no, not alone or my country AIDA does my heart weep; (My father!) the tears that I weep are tears of hapless love!) MESSENGER Thebes is already in arms, and from her RADAMÈS hundred gates (In her face flash will sally forth to meet the barbarous anger and suspicion. invader Woe if our secret love with war and death. she should read in our hearts!) KING AMNERIS Ay! Let war and death be our cry! (Wicked slave, tremble! lest into your heart I penetrate! RAMFIS Ah, tremble lest I learn the truth War! from that weeping and blushing!) RAMFIS, RADAMÈS, PRIESTS, The King appears, preceded by his guard MINISTERS, CAPTAINS and followed by Ramfis, ministers, priests, War! War! Terrible, unrelenting! captains and others. KING KING approaching Radamès A high cause brings you together, Revered Isis has already named oh loyal Egyptians, around your king. the commander-in-chief From the Ethiopian borders a messenger of our unvanquished armies: has just arrived. He brings grave news. Radamès! Be pleased to hear him... Let the messenger stand forth! AIDA, AMNERIS, MINISTERS, CAPTAINS MESSENGER Radamès! The sacred soil of Egypt is invaded by the barbarous Ethiopians. Our fields RADAMÈS have been laid waste... Ah, thanks be to the gods! the crops burned… and My prayers are answered! emboldened by easy victory, the plunderers are already marching on Thebes. 4

AMNERIS RADAMÈS (He, the leader!) A holy thrill of glory fills my whole soul. AIDA Arise! Let us speed to victory! (I tremble!) War and death to the foreigner!

MINISTERS, CAPTAINS AMNERIS Radamès! Radamès! Radamès! Radamès! to Radamès From my hand, oh commander, KING receive the glorious standard; Now go to Vulcan’s temple, may it be your guide, your light oh soldier. Your sacred arms on the road to glory! gird on and speed to victory. KING Arise! Haste to the sacred banks Arise! Haste to the sacred banks of the Nile, Egyptian heroes: of the Nile, Egyptian heroes, etc. from every heart let the cry burst forth: war and death, death to the foreigner! RAMFIS, PRIESTS Glory to the gods! Let everyone remember, RAMFIS etc. Glory to the gods! Let everyone remember it is they who decide the course of events; MINISTERS, CAPTAINS in the hands of the gods alone Arise! To the sacred banks of the Nile rest the warrior’s fortunes. let a barrier be formed by our breasts; etc.

Let everyone remember RADAMÈS AND MESSENGER that in the hands of the gods alone Arise! Let us speed… arise! rest the warrior’s fortunes! Let us speed to victory!

MINISTERS, CAPTAINS AMNERIS Arise! To the sacred banks of the Nile ... may it be your guide, your light let a barrier be formed by our breasts; on the road to glory! let there resound but a single cry: war, war and death to the foreigner! AIDA (For whom shall I weep? For whom shall I KING pray?) Arise! Arise! Speed to the sacred banks of the Nile. Egyptian heroes; KING AND RAMFIS From each heart let the cry resound: War! war and death to the foreigner! PRIESTS, MINISTERS, CAPTAINS AIDA War! War! War! (For whom shall I weep? For whom shall I pray? AIDA What power binds me to him! (I must love him, yet I see in him I must love him, and he is an enemy, a foreigner!) an enemy, a foreigner!) Ah! - 5

ALL THE OTHERS The sacred names of father, of lover, War, war! Exterminate them! I cannot utter, nor yet recall. For the one… for the other... confused, AMNERIS trembling, to Radamès I would weep, I would pray. Return a conqueror! But my prayer changes to a curse... For me tears are a crime, sighs a fault… ALL In dark night my soul is lost, Return a conqueror! and in this cruel anguish I would die.

All leave except Aida. Oh gods, have pity on my suffering! There is no hope for my sorrow. AIDA Fatal love, terrible love, Return a conqueror!… And from my lips break my heart, make me die! came the impious word! Conqueror Oh gods, have pity on my suffering! etc. of my father… of him who takes up arms for me… to give me back SCENE 2 a country, a kingdom, and the illustrious Interior of the Temple of Vulcan name at Memphis. which here I am forced to hide. Conqueror of my brothers… whence I might see him, A mysterious light from above illuminates the stained scene. There is a long row of columns, which with cherished blood, triumph in the disappears in the distance. Statues of various acclamation divinities. At mid-scene, on a scaffold of the Egyptian cohorts! And behind his covered with carpets, stands the altar chariot, decorated with sacred emblems. The smoke a king… my father… bound in chains! of incense rises from censers supported by golden tripods. Oh gods, wipe out the insane word! Priests and priestesses, Ramfis at the foot of To a father’s breast the altar. restore his daughter; destroy the squadrons HIGH PRIESTESS of our oppressor! Ah! - from within Wretched one! What did I say… O mighty, mighty Phtha, And my love? spirit that animates the world, ah!... Can I then forget this ardent love which, like a shaft of HIGH PRIESTESS, PRIESTESSES sunlight, from within made my lot here happy although I am … we invoke thee! captive and a slave? Shall I call down death RAMFIS, PRIESTS upon Radamès ... upon him whom I love so Thou who from nothing didst fashion much! the earth, the sea and the sky, Ah! never on earth did we invoke thee! anguish more cruel rend a heart! 6

HIGH PRIESTESS the fate of Egypt. Let the sacred sword, Phtha most high, in heaven tempered, in your hand universal creator of life, ah!... become for the enemy terror, lightning and death. HIGH PRIESTESS, PRIESTESSES … we invoke thee! PRIESTS Le the sacred sword RAMFIS, PRIESTS in heaven tempered, etc. Divinity who of thy spirit art son and progenitor, RAMFIS we invoke thee! … lightning and death, addressing the god HIGH PRIESTESS O god, guardian and avenger Fire uncreated, eternal, of this sacred land, whence the sun derived its light, ah!... spread out thy hand over the soil of Egypt. HIGH PRIESTESS, PRIESTESSES … we invoke thee! RADAMÈS O god, who dost rule and arbitrate RAMFIS, PRIESTS in every human war, Life of the universe, do thou protect, do thou defend myth of eternal love, the sacred soil of Egypt. we invoke thee! PRIESTS PRIESTESSES O god, guardian and avenger Phtha most high! of this sacred land, etc.

RAMFIS, PRIESTS RAMFIS We invoke thee! O god, guardian and arbiter of this sacred land, etc. Sacred Dance of the Priestesses RADAMÈS Radamès enters; he is unarmed. As he … do thou protect, do thou defend approaches the altar, the Priestesses perform the sacred soil of Egypt. the sacred dance. A silver veil is held over Radamès’ head. While Radamès is being invested with the sacred arms, the priests and priestesses PRIESTESSES resume the sacred hymn and the mystic Phtha most high! dance.

RAMFIS, PRIESTS PRIESTESSES We invoke thee! O mighty Phtha, creator of the world, ah! RAMFIS O mighty Phtha, to Radamès life-giving spirit, Mortal, beloved of the gods, to you is spirit of fertility, entrusted Phtha most high! 7

RADAMÈS let hymns of glory sound forth O migthy Phtha, with songs of love. spirit of fertility, thou who from nothing AMNERIS didst fashion the world, (Ah, come, my love, transport me, we invoke thee, fill my heart with happiness!) we invoke thee, O mighty Phtha! SLAVES Where now are the barbarous RAMFIS hordes of the invader? O mighty Phtha, Like a mist they vanished spirit of fertility, at the warrior’s breath. thou who from nothing didst fashion the world, Come, oh conqueror, thou who from nothing didst fashion receive the reward for glory; the earth, the sea and the sky, victory has already smiled on you, we invoke thee, love will smile upon you now. we invoke thee, AMNERIS O mighty Phtha! (Ah, Come, my love, restore me to life with a tender word!) PRIESTS O mighty Phtha, Dance of the Young Moorish Slaves spirit of fertility, thou who from nothing didst fashion SLAVES the earth, the sea and the sky, Come: let flowers interwined with we invoke thee, laurel shower upon your brow; we invoke thee, let hymns of glory sound forth O mighty Phtha! with songs of love.

AMNERIS (Ah, come, my love, transport me! ACT TWO fill my heart with happiness!) Silence! Aida comes toward us… SCENE 1 daughter of the vanquished; I respect her A room in Amneris’s apartment sorrow.

Slaves are attiring Amneris for the triumphal She motions the slaves to leave. Aida enters feast. carrying Amneris’s crown.

SLAVES Seeing her again, hideous Who is it, amidst hymns and praises, doubt awakes in me... soars to glory Let the fatal secret be revealed at last. like a mighty god, with brilliance equal to the sun’s? to Aida, with feigned tenderness

Come: let flowers intertwined with Fortune was cruel to your people, laurel shower upon your brow; poor Aida! The grief that weighs down your heart I share with 8 you. AMNERIS I am your friend… Yes… Radamès by your people You shall have everything of me… has been slain… You shall live happily! AIDA AIDA Oh misery! Can I be happy far from my native land, here where I am AMNERIS ignorant of the fate of father and brothers? And you can weep?

AMNERIS AIDA How I pity you! Yet earthly ills I shall weep forever! have a limit… Time will heal your heart’s deep grief, AMNERIS and, more than time, a mighty god… love. The gods have avenged you.

AIDA AIDA (Love, love! joy, torment, The gods were always sweet rapture, cruel anguish! against me. In thy pangs I find life; a smile from thee opens heaven to me!) AMNERIS Tremble! I have read it in your heart... AMNERIS you love him. observing Aida intently (Ah, that pallor... and agitation AIDA reveal the hidden fever of love. I! I almost fear to question her. AMNERIS I share her pangs of terror.) Do not lie! to Aida One more word and I shall know Well, what new fears the truth. Look me straight in the face… assail you now, gentle Aida? I deceived you… Radamès lives! Reveal your secrets to me, trust in my affection. AIDA Among the warriors who fought Lives! for the downfall of your country, Ah, thanks be to you, oh gods! one, perhaps has aroused sweet anguish in your heart? AMNERIS And you still hope to lie? AIDA Yes, you love him! But I also love him, What are you saying? do you understand? I, daughter of the Pharaohs, AMNERIS am your rival. Fate has not been cruel to all, AIDA even though on the field of battle My rival! the intrepid leader fell mortally wounded… Then so be it… For I, too, am … AIDA Oh, what have you said! Alas! 9 checking herself AMNERIS Oh, what have I said? Mercy! Pardon! Ah! Come, follow me; you will learn if you can fight against me! May you have pity on my sorrow! It is true, I love him passionately. AIDA You are happy, you are powerful, Oh, mercy! I live solely for this love! This love I will extinguish in the tomb! AMNERIS Pity! Pity! Tremble, vile slave! Your heart is breaking; this love can mean your death. CHORUS I am arbiter of your fate, War and death to the invader! a fury of hate and vengeance rages in my heart. AMNERIS ... and you will learn AIDA if you can fight against me. You are happy, you are powerful. I live solely for this love! CHORUS May you have pity on my sorrow! War and death to the invader!

AMNERIS Exit Amneris. Tremble, vile slave! Your heart is breaking. I am arbiter of your fate, AIDA a fury of hate and vengeance rages in my Gods, have pity on my agony; heart. hope have I none in my distress. Gods, have pity on my suffering. CHORUS Gods, have pity. heard in the distance Arise! To the sacred banks of the Nile SCENE 2 let a barrier be formed by our breasts; A gate of the city of Thebes. let there resound but a single cry: In the foreground, a group of palm trees. war and death to the invader! Right, the Temple of Ammon; left, a throne surmounted by a purple canopy. In the AMNERIS background, a triumphal arch. The scene is At the pageant which is being prepared, crowded with people. with me, oh slave, you shall be present; you prostrate in the dust, The King enters, followed by ministers, I on the throne beside the King. priests, captains, slaves carrying fans, standard-bearers and others. Amneris then AIDA enters, accompanied by Aida and slave girls. Oh, mercy! What more is left to me? The King takes his Place on the throne; My life is a desert; Amneris takes her place at his left. live and reign, your fury I shall soon placate. PEOPLE This love which angers you Glory to Egypt, and to Isis I will extinguish in the tomb. who protects its sacred soil! To the King who rules the Delta, festive hymns let us raise! 10

Glory! Glory! Glory! RAMFIS, PRIESTS Glory to the King! To the supreme arbiters raise your eyes; WOMEN render thanks unto the gods Let lotus be entwined with laurel on this happy day. upon the conquerors’ brows! Let a sweet shower of flowers Radamès enters under a canopy carried by veil the arms of war. twelve officers. Let us dance. Egyptian maidens, the mystic dances, KING as the stars danc who descends from the throne to embrace in the sky around the sun! Radamès Saviour of our country, I salute you. RAMFIS, PRIESTS Come, my daughter with her own hand will To the supreme arbiters present of victory raise your eyes; to you the triumphal laurel. give thanks unto the gods Radamès bows before Amneris, who hands on this happy day. him the laurel crown. Now ask of me PEOPLE whatever you desire most. Nothing shall be … as the stars dance denied you in the sky around the sun! on such a day; I swear it Festive hymns let us raise to the King, by my crown and by the sacred gods. raise to the King. RADAMÈS RAMFIS, PRIESTS First permit the prisoners to be Render thanks unto the gods brought before you. this happy day. Ethiopian prisoners are brought in by the March guards. Amonasro comes last, dressed as an officer. The troops, preceded by trumpeters, march past the King. They are followed by war RAMFIS, PRIESTS chariots, banners, sacred vessels and Thanks be to the gods, images of the gods. on this happy day.

Ballet AIDA What do I see?… Is it he?… My father! Dancing girls appear, carrying the spoils of victory. ALL Her father! PEOPLE Come, avenging warrior, AMNERIS come and rejoice with us; In our power! in the heroes’path laurels and flowers let us cast! AIDA Glory to the warrior, glory! embracing her father Glory to Egypt, glory! You! A prisoner! 11

AMONASRO AIDA, SLAVES, PRISONERS softly to Aida Mercy! Do not betray me! AIDA KING But you, oh King, oh mighty lord, to Amonasro to these men your mercy show. Come forward… So you are…? AMNERIS (What glances he now casts upon her! AMONASRO What a flame blazes in their eyes!) Her father. I too have fought… we were conquered; I sought death in vain. KING This uniform I wear may tell you Since fate smiles propitiously upon us, I defended my country and my King; to these men let us show mercy. fate was against our arms, the courage of the valiant was in vain. SLAVES, PRISONERS Your pity, your mercy, we implore. At my feet, stretched in the dust, Ah, mercy, mercy! lay the King, wounded many times; if love of country be a crime PEOPLE all of us are guilty, we are ready to die! Oh priests, now calm your anger; listen to their humble prayer. turning to the King, in a supplicating voice RAMFIS, PRIESTS But you, oh King, you, oh mighty lord, To death! To death! To death! be merciful to these men. Oh King, crush this rabble. Today we are struck down by fate, but tomorrow fate may strike at you. AMONASRO Today we are struck down by fate, AIDA but tomorrow fate may strike at you. But you, oh King, you, oh mighty lord, be merciful to these men, etc. RADAMÈS watching Aida SLAVES, PRISONERS The sorrow which speaks in that face Yes, by the gods we are struck down; makes her more lovely in my sight; your pity, your mercy we implore. every beloved tear she sheds Oh, may you never have to suffer reawakens love in my breast.) what we must suffer today! AMNERIS AMONASRO (What glances he now casts upon her! Ah! Tomorrow fate may strike at you. What a flame blazes in their eyes! And I alone, derided, rejected? RAMFIS, PRIESTS Vengeance cries out within my heart.) Crush, oh King, this savage rabble, close your heart to their perfidious voices; AMONASRO by the gods they were condemned to death, Your pity, your mercy we implore, etc. now let the will of the gods be done! KING Since fate smiles propitiously upon us, 12 to these men let us show mercy; AMNERIS mercy is pleasing to the gods (And I alone, derided, rejected, etc.) and strengthens the power of the princes. RADAMÈS AIDA Oh King, by the holy gods, Your pity I implore... by the splendor of your crown, Today we are struck down, you swore to grant my wish. but tomorrow fate may strike at you. KING SLAVES, PRISONERS I swore. Mercy, mercy, ah mercy! Your mercy we implore. RADAMÈS Your pity, your mercy we implore. Well then, for the Ethiopian prisoners I ask life and liberty of you. PEOPLE Oh priests, now calm your anger; AMNERIS listen to the humble prayers of the (For all!) vanquished. Mercy! PRIESTS Death to our country’s enemies! RAMFIS, PRIESTS Let the will of the gods be accomplished! PEOPLE Crush, oh King, this savage rabble; Compassion by the gods they were condemned to death, for these wretched ones! let the will of the gods be done! RAMFIS AIDA Hear me, oh King. You too, But you, oh King,oh mighty lord, etc. young hero, wise counsel hear: They are enemies, and bold they are; RADAMÈS they harbour vengeance in their hearts; (The sorrow makes her more lovely, etc.) emboldened by pardon they will hasten to take up arms once more! AMONASRO But you, oh King, oh mighty lord, etc. RADAMÈS With Amonasro, their warrior king, dead, KING no hope is left to the conquered. Mercy is pleasing to the gods, etc. RAMFIS SLAVES, PRISONERS At least, Yes, by the gods we are struck down, etc. as pledge of security and peace, let Aida and her father stay among us. RAMFIS, PRIESTS Crush, oh King, this savage rabble, etc. KING To your counsel I yield. PEOPLE How I will give you a better pledge And you, oh King, so powerful, so strong, of security and peace. Radamès, to you our open your heart and let mercy in. country owes everything. May the hand of Amneris 13 be your reward. One day over Egypt KING, PEOPLE with her you shall reign. Glory… to Isis!

AMNERIS AMONASRO (Now, let the slave come, let her to Aida come and take my love from me... if she Take heart: await events dare!) more happy for your country; the dawn of vengeance KING, PEOPLE is already near for us. Glory to Egypt, and to Isis who defends that sacred land, RADAMÈS let lotus be entwined with laurel (What an unexpected blow upon the conqueror’s brow! descends upon my head! Ah! Ah no, the throne of Egypt SLAVES, PRISONERS is not worth Aida’s heart. Glory to the merciful Egyptian … the soil of Egypt who has loosed our chains, is not worth Aida’s heart. who returns us ... the kingship of Egypt to our free, native fields! is not worth Aida’s heart.)

RAMFIS, PRIESTS AMNERIS Let us raise hymns to Isis, (All in one day who defends our sacred soil! my heart’s joy is fulfilled. Let us pray that the Fates may ever Ah, with this unexpected happiness smile propitiously on our country. I am intoxicated.)

AIDA AMONASRO (What hope now is left to me? Take heart: await events For him, glory, the throne, more happy for your country; etc. for me, oblivion… the tears of a hopeless love.) KING, PEOPLE Glory to Egypt, and to Isis, etc. RADAMÈS (The wrath of hostile Fate RAMFIS, PRIESTS descends upon my head. Let us raise hymns to Isis, etc. Ah no! The throne of Egypt is not worth the heart of Aida.) AIDA (For me, oblivion and tears. AMNERIS Ah! what hope now is left to me? (With this unexpected joy For him, glory, the throne, I am intoxicated; for me, oblivion, the tears all in one day of a hopeless love.) my heart’s dreams are fulfilled.) SLAVES, PRISONERS RAMFIS Glory to the merciful Egyptian, etc. Let us pray that the Fates may always smile propitiously on our land. 14

ACT THREE What can he want to say to me? I tremble... Ah! If you should come, On the Banks of the Nile oh cruel one, to bid me a last farewell, the dark swirling waters of the Nile Granite rocks, with palm trees growing shall be my grave... and bring me peace, among them. On the summit of the rocks is perhaps, and oblivion. the Temple of Isis, half hidden by the fronds. It is a starlit night; the moon is shining. Oh my homeland, I shall never see you again! PRIESTESSES, PRIESTS Oh blue skies, oh soft native breezes, from within the temple where the light of my youth shone in O thou who art of Osiris tranquility; both mother and bride immortal, oh green hills, perfumed shores, goddess who awakest oh my homeland, I shall never see you chaste emotions in the human heart, again! grant us thy merciful aid, O mother of great love. Oh cool valleys, oh blessed, tranquil refuge which once was promised me by love; A boat draws up at the riverbank; Amneris now that the dream of love has faded, and Ramfis alight, together with a group of oh my homeland, I shall never see you heavily veiled women and guards. again! RAMFIS Amonasro enters. to Amneris Heavens! My father! Come to the Temple of Isis; on the eve of your wedding invoke AMONASRO the favour of the goddess. Isis reads A grave cause in the hearts of mortals; every human secret brings me to you, Aida. Nothing escapes my is known to her. gaze. You pine with love for Radamès… AMNERIS he loves you... you are waiting for him here. Yes; I will pray that Radamès may give me The daughter of the Pharaohs is your rival… his whole heart, as mine is dedicated to him a race accursed, abhorred, fatal to us! alone forever. AIDA RAMFIS And I am in her power! Let us go. I, Amonasro’s daughter! You will pray till the break of day; I shall be with you. AMONASRO In her power! No!… If you wish it, All enter the temple. you shall conquer your powerful rival, PRIESTESSES, PRIESTS and country, throne and love, you shall have Grant us thy merciful aid, them all. O mother of great love. You shall see once more the perfumed AIDA forests, approaching cautiously the cool valleys and our golden temples. Radamès is coming here!… 15

AIDA He commands the Egyptians... Once more I shall see the perfumed forests, You understand? ... the cool valleys and our golden temples. AIDA AMONASRO Oh horror! Happy wife to him you love so much, What are you asking? No! No! Never! untold contentment there you will be able to enjoy. AMONASRO fiercely AIDA Then come, arise, One single day of such sweet enchantment, Egyptian cohorts; one hour, one hour of such a joy and then to with fire destroy die! our cities. Spread terror, AMONASRO carnage and death. But remember the Egyptian has cruelly There is no obstacle profaned now to your fury. our homes, our temples and our altars, bound the ravished virgins in chains; AIDA murdered mothers, old men, children. Ah! Father! Father!…

AIDA AMONASRO Ah! well do I remember those unhappy You call yourself days! my daughter! I remember the grief in my heart Oh gods, let the longed-for dawn AIDA of happy days return for us. Pity! Pity!

AMONASRO AMONASRO Remember... Rivers of blood engulf Let it not be delayed. Our people are ready the cities of the conquered. to rise in arms; all is now prepared. Do you see? From the black whirlpools Victory will be ours… It only remains the dead arise for me to know what route the enemy will and point at you, crying: follow. Through you your homeland perishes!

AIDA AIDA Who could ever discover it? Who? Pity! Pity! Father, have pity!

AMONASRO AMONASRO You yourself! A dreadful phantom from among the shades appears before us. AIDA Tremble! Its fleshless arms... I? AIDA AMONASRO Ah! I know you await Radamès here… He loves you ... AMONASRO … it has raised above your head... 16

AIDA RADAMÈS Father! entering Once more I see you, my sweet Aida... AMONASRO … it is your mother... AIDA Stop, go away… what can you hope for AIDA still? Ah! RADAMÈS AMONASRO Love leads me to you. … see her… AIDA AIDA The rites of another love await you. No! Husband of Amneris…

AMONASRO RADAMÈS ... she is cursing you... What are you saying? You alone, Aida, can I love. AIDA The gods hear me; you shall be mine. terrified Ah no! AIDA Father, have pity! Pity! Do not stain yourself with a lie! Brave, I loved you, I would not love you a AMONASRO liar. repulsing her You are not my daughter! RADAMÈS You are a slave of the Pharaohs! Do you doubt my love, Aida?

AIDA AIDA Ah! Have mercy, have mercy! And how Father, I am not their slave... do you hope to escape the charms of Do not curse me… do not revile me: Amneris, you will still be able to call me daughter, the will of the King, the wishes of your I will be worthy of my native land. people, and the wrath of the priests? AMONASRO Remember that a people, conquered and RADAMÈS tormented, Hear me, Aida. through you alone can rise again To the fierce call of new war AIDA the land of Ethiopia has awakened once Oh my country, what you cost me! more; your people already invade our land. AMONASRO I shall command the Egyptian armies. Courage! He is coming from there I shall Admist the noise and plaudits of victory. hear everything. I shall prostrate myself before the King, and reveal my heart to him. He conceals himself among the palm trees. You shall be my crowning glory, we shall live blessed by eternal love. 17

AIDA AIDA And do you not fear Amneris’s Beneath my sky love will vengeful fury? Her vengeance, be granted us more freely; like some dreadful thunderbolt, there in the same temple will fall on me, my father, and on us all. we will have the same gods, Let us flee! Let us flee... RADAMÈS I will defend you. RADAMÈS Abandon my native land, AIDA the altars of our gods! In vain. You will be powerless! How could we forget But… if you love me... there is yet the sky that witnessed our love? one other way of escape for us... RADAMÈS RADAMÈS hesitating What is that? Aida!

AIDA AIDA Flight… You do not love me… Go!

RADAMÈS RADAMÈS Flight! Not love you!

AIDA AIDA Let us flee from the harsh passions Go! of these barren plains; a new country RADAMÈS will welcome our love. Never did mortal, no, nor god There, in virgin forests, burn with so great a love as mine. perfumed with flowers, in blissful ecstasy AIDA we shall forget the world. Go… go... Amneris awaits you at the altar RADAMÈS To a strange country RADAMÈS with you must I fly! No! Never! Abandon my native land, and the altars of our gods! AIDA How could we forget the land Never, you said? where I gathered the first laurels Then let the axe fall of glory, and the sky on me and on my father both… that first witnessed our love? RADAMÈS AIDA Ah no! Let us flee! There, in virgin forests, etc. Yes: let us flee from these walls, to the desert together let us flee; RADAMÈS here, naught but ill fortune reigns, How could we forget the sky there a paradise of love awaits us. that first witnessed our love? The limitless desert 18

shall be our bridal couch, AMONASRO above us the stars will shine Aida’s father and the King of Ethiopia. with a clearer light. RADAMÈS AIDA You!… Amonasro!... You!… the King?… In the happy country Gods, what did I say? of my father’s heaven awaits us; No!… it is not true!... no! ... there the breeze is sweetly perfumed, It is a dream… a delirium… there the soil is fragrant with flowers. Cool valleys and green meadows AIDA will be our bridal couch, Ah no! Calm yourself, listen to me… above us the stars will shine with a clearer light. AMONASRO Your love for Aida AIDA AND RADAMÈS Come with me, together let us flee AIDA from this land of sorrow. ... trust in my love. Come with me, I love you, I love you! Love shall be our guide. AMONASRO … will raise you to a throne. They quickly leave. RADAMÈS AIDA I am dishonored! stopping abruptly For you I have betrayed my country! But tell me: by what road shall we avoid the legions AIDA of the army? Calm yourself!

RADAMÈS AMONASRO The route chosen by our armies No: you are not guilty, for their march upon the enemy it was the will of fate. will be deserted until tomorrow. RADAMÈS AIDA I am dishonored! What route is that? AIDA RADAMÈS Ah no! The Napata AMONASRO gorges… No! Amonasro comes forward. RADAMÈS AMONASRO For you I have betrayed my country! The Napata gorges! AMONASRO There my men shall be. No: you are not guilty. RADAMÈS AIDA Oh! Who is listening to us? Calm yourself.. 19

AMONASRO ACT FOUR Come: beyond the Nile await warriors devoted to us, SCENE 1 there your heart’s desire A Hall in the King’s Palace love will crown. Left, a great door leading to the dragging Radamès with him subterranean judgment chamber, right, a Come, come, come! passage leading to Radamès’s cell. Amneris, Ramfis, the priests and guards AMNERIS come out of the temple. My hated rival has escaped me… AMNERIS Radamès awaits the priest’s sentence Traitor! as a traitor. ? He is no traitor... Yet he revealed the great secret AIDA of the war… he wanted to flee… My rival! to flee with her... Traitors, all of them! Death to them! Death!... AMONASRO Oh, whatever am I saying? threatening Amneris with a dagger I love him, I love him still… This love You come to ruin my plans! which is destroying my life is hopeless, Die!… insane Oh, if he could love me! RADAMÈS I would save him. But how? stepping between them I’ll try! Guards: let Radamès come hither. Stop, madman!... Radamès is led in by the guards. AMONASRO Oh fury! Already the priests, the arbiters of your fate, are assembling; RAMFIS but from this horrible charge Ho there, guards! you may yet exculpate yourself; justify yourself, and I will RADAMÈS plead for you before the throne, to Aida and Amonasro and be a messenger Quickly! Flee! bringing pardon and life to you.

AMONASRO RADAMÈS dragging Aida away Words of excuse the judges Come, my daughter! will never hear from me; in the sight of the gods and of mankind RAMFIS I feel neither despicable nor guilty. to the guards My unguarded lips uttered Follow them! the fatal secret, it is true, but my intention RADAMÈS and my honor remain unsullied. to Ramfis Priest, I am your prisoner. AMNERIS Then clear yourself and save yourself.

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RADAMÈS RADAMÈS No. And she?

AMNERIS AMNERIS You will die. She vanished and there has been no more news of her RADAMÈS I loathe life; RADAMÈS the fountain of all joy May the gods lead her safely has run dry; to her country’s borders, vanished is every hope; and never let her know the fate I wish only to die. of him who is about to die for her!

AMNERIS AMNERIS To die! Oh, you must live! But, if I save you, Yes, for my love you shall live; swear to see her no more. for you the terrible anguish of death have I endured already; RADAMÈS I loved you… I suffered so much… I cannot! at night I have lain awake in tears… and country, throne and life, AMNERIS all would I give for you. Renounce her forever and you shall live! RADAMÈS For her I, too, betrayed RADAMÈS my country and my honor... I cannot!

AMNERIS AMNERIS No more of her! Yet once more: renounce her. RADAMÈS Dishonor RADAMÈS awaits me and you wish me to live? It is useless. You have filled me with wretchedness, Aida you have taken from me, AMNERIS perhaps even slain her, Do you wish to die, then, madman? and as a gift you offer me life? RADAMÈS AMNERIS I am prepared to die now! I, author of her death! AMNERIS No! Aida lives! Who will save you, wretched man, RADAMÈS from the fate that awaits you? She lives! You have changed a matchless love to hate. AMNERIS Now my tears will be In the hopeless exhaustion avenged by heaven. of the fleeing hordes only her father fell. 21

RADAMÈS Radamès is taken by his guards to the Death is a supreme joy subterranean judgment chamber. Amneris, If for her I may die: seeing him, cries out. in suffering the extreme penalty my heart will know joy unsurpassed: RAMFIS, PRIESTS I fear human wrath no more. Heavenly spirit, descend upon us! I fear only your pity. AMNERIS AMNERIS Oh, who will save him? Ah, who will save you? I shall surely die! Ah me! Now my tears will be avenged by heaven. RAMFIS Radamès! Radamès! Radamès! You did Radamès is led away by the guards. Amneris reveal falls in desolation into a chair. your country’s secrets to the enemy. Justify yourself! AMNERIS Alas!… I shall surely die. PRIESTS Oh, who will save him? Justify yourself! And into their power I myself delivered him! Now, I curse thee, RAMFIS vile jealousy, that did point He is silent. the way to his death and my heart’s eternal grief. RAMFIS, PRIESTS She turns and sees the priests cross the hall Traitor! and enter the subterranean judgment AMNERIS chamber. Oh mercy! He is innocent, gods, have pity! Here are the fatal and inexorable ministers of death! RAMFIS Oh, let me not see those white phantoms! Radamès! Radamès! Radamès! You did covering her face with her hands desert And into their power your camp the day preceding the battle. I myself delivered him! Justify yourself!

RAMFIS, PRIESTS PRIESTS from the subterranean judgment chamber Justify yourself! Heavenly spirit descend upon us! Strengthen us in the beams of the light RAMFIS eternal; He is silent. through our lips make known thy justice. RAMFIS, PRIESTS AMNERIS Traitor! Gods, have pity on my anguished heart. He is innocent, save him, oh gods! AMNERIS Great and desperate is my grief! Ah pity! Oh, save him, gods, have pity!

RAMFIS Radamès! Radamès! Radamès! You did 22

violate AMNERIS your trust and betray your country, king and to Ramfis honor. Oh priest, you know this man whom Justify yourself! now you slay was once loved by me. Along with his blood, the curses of a PRIESTS broken heart will fall upon your head! Justify yourself! RAMFIS RAMFIS He is a traitor! He is silent. PRIESTS RAMFIS, PRIESTS He is a traitor! Traitor! RAMFIS, PRIESTS AMNERIS He shall die! Ah pity! Oh, save him, oh gods, have pity! AMNERIS RAMFIS, PRIESTS You have outraged both earth and heaven, Radamès, your fate is decided; you have punished where there is no guilt. you shall die a criminal’s death; Ah no, he is no traitor. Have mercy! beneath the altar of the angry god you will find a living tomb. RAMFIS, PRIESTS He shall die! AMNERIS He is a traitor! He shall die! Alive in the tomb… Oh, the criminals! They go out slowly. They are never sated with blood… Traitor! Traitor! Traitor! and they call themselves ministers of heaven! AMNERIS Impious body! A curse upon you! RAMFIS, PRIESTS Vengeance will descend from heaven! Traitor! Traitor! Traitor! Curses on you!

AMNERIS SCENE 2 assailing the priests as they come up The Interior of the Temple of Vulcan Oh priests, you have committed a crime! and the Tomb of Radamès. Wicked tigers, thirsting for blood, you have outraged both heaven and earth... The scene is divided on two levels. Above, the you have punished where there is no guilt interior of the temple, resplendent with gold and light; beneath, the crypt with long rows RAMFIS of arches disappearing into the darkness. He is a traitor! Colossal statues of Osiris, with hands crossed, support the pillars of the vault. PRIESTS He is a traitor! Radamès is on the stairs by which he has descended into the crypt. Above, two priests RAMFIS, PRIESTS are placing in position the stone which seals He shall die! the entrance. 23

RADAMÈS PRIESTESSES The fatal stone has closed upon me… in the temple above Here is my tomb. The light of day O mighty Phtha, never again shall I see… Never again shall I spirit that animates the world... see Aida. Aida, where are you? May you at least PRIESTS live happily and never know in the temple above my dreadful fate! What cry is that?… A Ah! phantom… A vision… No! It is a human form. AIDA Heavens! Aida! A sad chant!

AIDA RADAMÈS It is I. The priests’ festival. RADAMÈS You in this tomb! AIDA Our hymn of death, AIDA My heart forewarned me of your RADAMÈS condemnation; trying to move the stone which seals the into this tomb which was being opened for crypt you My strong arms cannot move you, oh fatal I made my way by stealth... stone! and here, far from every human eye, I wished to die in your arms. PRIESTS, PRIESTESSES … ah, we invoke thee. RADAMÈS Die! So pure and lovely! AIDA To die for love of me… In vain!... All is finished in the flower of your youth on earth for us. to fly from life! RADAMÈS Heaven created you for love, It is true! It is true! and I am killing you through loving you! No, you shall not die! He draws nearer to Aida and supports her. I have loved you too much! You are too beautiful! AIDA AND RADAMÈS Oh earth, farewell; farewell, vale of tears... AIDA dream of joy which in sorrow faded. in a delirium For us heaven opens and our wandering Do you see?... Death’s radiant angel souls hastens toward us, fly to the light of eternal day. and carries us to eternal joy upon his golden wings. PRIESTS, PRIESTESSES Already I see heaven opening, Mighty Phtha, we invoke thee! there all torment ceases, there begins the ecstasy of an immortal love. 24

AIDA AND RADAMÈS PRIESTS, PRIESTESSES Ah! heaven is opening for us! Mighty Phtha! Oh earth, farewell; farewell, vale of tears... Curtain AMNERIS appears dressed in mourning and throws herself down upon the stone which seals the crypt Peace I beg...

AIDA AND RADAMÈS … dream of joy which in sorrow fades.

AMNERIS … beloved corpse…

AIDA AND RADAMÈS For us heaven opens ...

AMNERIS ... may Isis, placated…

AIDA AND RADAMÈS … heaven opens and our wandering souls…

AMNERIS Isis, placated, open heaven to you!

AIDA AND RADAMÈS … fly to the light of eternal day

PRIESTS, PRIESTESSES We invoke thee...

AIDA AND RADAMÈS … heaven…

PRIESTS, PRIESTESSES ... mighty Phtha!

AIDA AND RADAMÈS … heaven opens for us!

Aida sinks into Radamès’ arms and dies.

AMNERIS Peace I beg, … peace, peace … peace!