AIDA

Composer: GIUSEPPE VERDI Book by ANTONIO GHISLANZONI and composer from Camille du Locle’s work, and a sketch by the Egypt ologist Mariette First performance: Opera, Cairo, December 24, 1871 4 acts. Aina, living as a slave to Amneris in the Pharaoh’s palace at Memphis, is actually the daughter of King Amonasro, invading Ethiopian. Aida loves Radames who has been selected to defend Egypt against King Amonasro’s She also forces. Amneris, Aida’s mistre , is the daughter of the Pharaoh. He returns succe ful from the Wars and brings with him loves Radames. Aida goes to her father’s arms but does not among the prisoners Amonasro. reveal his rank. Radames asks that all prisoners be set free. All are, except On the banks of the Nile, at night, Radames is waiting to see Aida Amonasro. Amonasro persuades Aida to one last time before he must marry Amneris. get Radames to flee with her, also to give information that will help the rearming She persuades Radames but in getting the information is overEthiopians. heard by Amneris who had gone to spend the night before her marriage in the temple of Isis in prayer. Amonasro and Aida escape but Radames is caught and sentenced to death by suffocation for treason. Radames spurns freedom at the cost of marrying Amneris and prepares to die. In the tomb Aida has concealed herself and dies with him.