Aida

Memphis and Thebes in ancient Egypt during the Dynasty of Pharaohs.

ACT 1

In the royal palace at Memphis, the high priest Ramfis, informs Radames, a young captain of the guard, that Ethiopia is posing a threat to the Nile Valley. Radames hopes that the goddess Isis will choose him to be the leader of the Egyptian army, believing that a victory over the Ethipians would enable him to free his secret love, Aida, the Ethiopian slave of the king’s daughter, Amneris. Amneris, who also loves Radames, enters and beings to question Radames, suspecting that he is in love with Aida. A messenger arrives to announce that Amonastro is leading the Ethiopian army to march on Thebes. Radames is appointed leader of the Egyptian army, and he leads his men in singing a battle hymn. Amneris is echoed by her people as she cries, “Return Victorious!” Aida is stunned to hear herself repeat these words, and is left to contemplate her conflict of loyalties. Although her captors do not know it, she is the Princess of Ethiopia and now her lover will be engaged in battle with her father. In the act’s second scene, Ramfis leads the sacred Priests in a consecration ceremony to ask the gods to provide victory in battle for Radames.

ACT 2

Radames is successful in winning the battle. While awaiting his return, Amnesia is groomed and entertained by her slaves. In an attempt to determine if Aida does indeed love Radames, Amneris tells her slave that he was slain in battle. Aida’s sorrowful response reveals her secret love. Amneris reveals that Radames is really alive, but then threatens her, warning Aida to keep her place as a slave and ignore her feelings for Radames. Aida nearly confesses her royal identity, but instead, pleads for mercy. As Radames returns, a procession celebrate the success of Egypt. Radames is crowned victor by Amneris and his prisoners are lead in, among them Aida’s father’s, Amonasro, disguised. He warns Aida not to give away his royal identity, and proceeds to plead for mercy for the lives of his fellow people. Ramfis and the priests demand the prisoners be killed, but Radames asks for the prisoner’s freedom to be his reward. Ramdis suggests that all but Aida’s father be released. The King agrees and gives Radames the hand of Amneris as his reward for victory.

ACT 3

Amneris is led by Ramfis to a temple of Isis on the bank of the Nile to receive the goddess’ blessing on the eve of her wedding. Her face veiled, Aida enters to wait in secrecy for Radames. Her thoughts are interrupted by the appearance of her father, who has learned of her love for Radames. He demands her to betray Radames by tricking him into revealing the intended route of the Egyptian army’s entry into Ethiopia. At first she declines, but finally agrees as he scolds her loyalties and reminds her of what the Egyptians have done to their beloved homeland. Unaware of Amonasro’s presence, Radames appears to Aida, declaring that he will marry her after his next victory. She instead insists that they run away together to Ethiopia, and asks which route they will take. Upon hearing the Egyptian plan, Amonasro shows himself and reveals that he is actually the Kind of Ethiopia. Radames is horrified by his unwilling act of treason, while Aida and Amonasro try to convince him that it was fate’s doing. Amneris discovers them, declaring the Radames must be a traitor. Amonasro lunges at Amneris with a drawn dagger, but is disarmed by Radames who urges hum and Aida to escape. Radames surrenders to the soldiers.

ACT 4

Radames is sent to the temple of judgement where Amneris offers him a chance to save himself. He refuses, preferring death. Amneris listens as the priests ask him three times to defend himself against the charges. Radames remains silent and is condemned to death. Amneris, appalled at the consequences of her jealousy, declares that their need for revenge has killed an innocent man. Buried alive in a tomb beneath the temple, Radames’ last thoughts are of Aida. Suddenly, she appears in the tomb, having slipped in earlier to die with him. Radames fails at a final attempt to remove the stone holding them in the chamber, and, resigned to their fate, the lovers bid farewell to the earth. Radaames faces death with Aida, while above Amneris prays for peace.