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Torn between love and duty
Two countries are at war. Aida secretly loves an enemy general, Radamès, who returns her love. When Radamès is selected to lead a renewed assault against the enemy, Aida is forced to choose between betraying her country and betraying her heart.
Verdi reserved some of his finest arias for the doomed lovers such as ‘Celeste Aida’ and ‘O patria mia’. This new concert staging of Aida comprises an international cast and reunites the 2017 Turandot creative team with conductor Sir Richard Armstrong, director Annabel Arden and set and costume designer Joanna Parker.
“Unmissable… big emotions in turbo-charged voices.”
★★★★★ — The Times
“Undeniable force and veracity… It’s superbly sung, too.”
★★★★ — The Guardian
“Electrically exciting… Opera North’s chorus is on cracking form.”
★★★★ — The Telegraph
Running time
Approximately 2 hours 45 minutes
Language
Sung in Italian with English titles
*Prices vary by venue. Booking fees may apply.
The following audio notes give detailed information about the story, the sets and costumes, the cast list, and the dates and venues of the performances. These are to aid customers who are blind or partially sighted. Please note, the story and the details of the sets and costumes contain spoilers.
Radamès, an Egyptian general, learns that his nation will soon be at war. He dreams of leading the army into battle and returning victorious to Aida, an enslaved woman with whom he is secretly in love.
Unbeknownst to her captors, Aida is the daughter of the Ethiopian king, Amonasro. When war is declared and Radamès is chosen to lead the army into battle, Aida is torn between her love for him and her love for her country.
Amneris, daughter of the Egyptian King, longs for Radamès’ affection but suspects he and Aida are in love. To discover the truth, she tells Aida that Radamès has been killed in battle. Aida’s reaction of grief gives her secret away.
Radamès leads the army to victory and captures Amonasro. The King offers him any reward he desires, and he asks for all prisoners to be released. The King agrees and releases all but Aida and Amonasro. He then announces that Radamès will be his successor and offers the hand of Amneris in marriage.
As Aida waits to meet with Radamès, Amonasro appears and demands that she trick her lover into revealing his army’s whereabouts. She agrees reluctantly and when Radamès appears, Aida leads him to unwittingly reveal the location of his army.
Amneris arrives and sees Radamès, Aida and Amonasro together. Radamès orders Aida and Amonasro to escape but horrified that he has betrayed his country, surrenders himself.
Amneris begs Radamès to renounce his love for Aida and marry her instead, but he refuses. The High Priest sentences him to death by burial. Distraught, Amneris pleads for mercy, but to no avail.
Radamès is buried alive in a dark vault. He is shocked to discover Aida, who has hidden herself in the vault to die with him. They declare their love for each for the last time.
