Synopsis: Aida by Giuseppe Verdi

Aïda, composed by Giuseppe Verdi, premiered in Cairo in 1871. (It was not, as is often said, written to celebrate the opening of the Suez Canal, which occurred two years previously. Verdi was asked to write an opera for that occasion, but he declined.) The libretto was written by Antonio Ghislanzoni, based on a scenario by the archaeologist Mariette Bey, who claimed it was based on Egyptian history.

Characters in Aïda

• Aïda, an Ethiopian slave, secretly the Ethiopian princess (Soprano)
• Radames, Captain of the Guard (Tenor)
• Amneris, the Egyptian princess (Mezzo-soprano)
• The King of Egypt (Bass)
• Amonasro, King of Ethiopia (Bass)
• Ramfis, high priest (Bass)

Synopsis of Aïda

The setting is Egypt in the time of the Pharaohs, at an unspecified time in history. Egypt is at war with Ethiopia.

Act I

Scene 1 - The King's Palace

Ramfis tells Radames that a soldier has been chosen by Isis to lead the Egyptian armies in battle. Radames hopes that he is the one so that he can return triumphant and win Aïda, Amneris's slave. Amneris suspects that Aïda and Radames love each other, and Radames's reaction confirms this in her mind.

The King enters with military fanfare and announces that the Ethiopian army is marching on Thebes under the leadership of King Amonasro, and Aïda secretly laments that she and Radames are divided by their countries' fighting. Amneris presents Radames with a standard and tells him to return victorious. Alone, Aïda begs the gods for pity.

Scene 2 - The Temple of Vulcan

Radames's new position is blessed in a grand invocation to the god Pthà.

Act II

Scene 1 - Amneris's Chamber

Amneris's slaves dress her. Amneris sends them away to speak to Aïda alone. Amneris draws out a confession of Aïda's love by lying that Radames has been killed in battle. Amneris is filled with feelings of vengeance and threatens Aïda.

Scene 2 - The City of Thebes

A grand procession enters, followed by a chorus of praise to Isis, Egypt, and the King. The Egyptian army follows with Ethiopian captives. Amneris crowns Radames. Amonasro reveals himself as Aïda's father but claims that the Ethiopian king was slain in battle. The priests call for the prisoners to be killed, but Radames convinces the king to let them free, as their hope is gone with Amonasro dead. As a prize for the victory, the king gives Amneris to Radames.

Act III - The Banks of the Nile

Amneris and the priests enter the temple. Aïda waits for Radames. She tells Amonasro of her love for Radames. He bids her to ask Radames for the path of the Egyptian army so that the Ethiopians might win their next battle.

Radames reveals to Aïda that when he wins his next battle he will ask to reject Amneris and marry Aïda. Aïda warns him of Amneris's vengeance and offers another option: they escape together. He agrees to give her the information about the army.

Amonasro reveals himself as the king and Aïda's father, and Radames realizes with horror that he has betrayed Egypt. Amneris, discovering them, declares Radames a traitor. Radames surrenders, but Aïda and Amonasro escape.

Act IV

Scene 1 - A Hall in the Temple

Amneris begins to doubt her actions, and is torn between vengeance and not wanting to see Radames die when he only betrayed his country for love. She tells Radames that Aïda has escaped and begs him to deny the accusations and save himself. He refuses. At his offstage trial, he does not respond to any of the accusations. Amneris begs for mercy, but he is sentenced to death. Amneris declares vengeance on the priests for killing her love.

Scene 2 - A Vault Under the Temple

Radames has been buried alive. He believes he will never see Aïda again, but then realizes that she is there, having come back to die with him. They accept their fate while the priests and Amneris pray above them.

Sources

Melitz, Leo, trans. Richard Salinger. The Opera Goers' Complete Guide. New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1921.

Newman, Ernest. Stories of the Great Operas and Their Composers. Garden City: Garden City Publishing Co., Inc., 1930.