Giuseppe Verdi
Aida
Two nations are at war, but in the middle of the battlefield a far more intimate drama is unfolding, and one that could have unexpected consequences. The Egyptian princess Amneris loves the commander Radamès. His love, however, belongs to the captive Aida, who no one knows is the princess of the hostile Ethiopian land. Unbeknownst to any of them, they will soon face a choice that will decide a matter of life and death…
Verdi’s Aida is one of his masterpieces and one that lacks none of the customary ingredients of romantic Italian opera – love, jealousy, political intrigue, large chorus scenes and inescapable tragic death. It goes without saying that a great singing cast, in this case including Csilla Boross, Sung Kyu Park, Luis Cansino and Aleš Jenis, goes hand in hand with this. This is also to be the first time that our company is to collaborate with our junior ballet company National Theatre Brno 2 on this production. It was Verdi who usually chose the themes to be set to his music, but in this case an offer came from outside. The opera was originally commissioned by the Egyptian Viceroy Isma´il Pasha for the ceremonial opening of the Suez Canal and for the newly built Khedivial Opera House in Cairo. Verdi was initially hesitant, but the theme of ancient Egypt based on a story by archaeologist Auguste Mariette finally attracted his attention, not because of the pomp it offered, but because of the intimate drama hidden beneath the layers of political intrigue. Thanks to this, he wrote a captivating story that remains relevant to this day and is full of impressive music, such as famous arias such as “Celeste Aida”, its triumphal march and the opera’s final heartbreaking quartet. Productions usually focus on the secret lovers Radamès and Aida, but it is interesting to look at the whole story through the eyes of Amneris and her love for Radamès, whom she is determined to win at any cost, unaware that the price will ultimately be human lives, including the life of her chosen one.
Premiere on 26 September 2025 at the Janáček Theatre
Trailer
Staged in the Italian original with Czech, English and German titles.
Synopsis
What are we capable of doing for love?… Can it outweigh even the greatest of duties to the homeland and the nation? Or will our desire for a loved one lead us to unexpected tragedy? A tragedy that we must continue to live with…
Act 1
The Egyptian Empire has been attacked by the Ethiopians. Who will the gods designate as worthy to lead the army in the name of the Pharaoh? Radamès hopes that he will be the chosen one. A glorious victory would allow him to ask for permission to marry the slave Aida, whom he loves without suspecting that she is the daughter of the Ethiopian King Amonasro. But Radamès is also loved by the Pharaoh’s daughter Amneris. When Radamès does not reciprocate her feelings, she suspects that Aida is her rival in love. The gods have spoken and the council of priests declares Radamès the chosen commander. Aida is unhappy and torn – she fears for Radamès’s life and at the same time realises that he is to lead an army against her homeland.
In the temple, Radamès receives a weapon from the priests and the blessing of the gods for the upcoming battle.
Act 2
Amneris wants to get Aida to confess her love for Radamès. She therefore pretends that Radamès has fallen in battle. Aida is desperate, but she only gives herself away when Amneris admits that she was lying and that Radamès is still alive.
The Pharaoh’s court and the Egyptian people welcome the victorious commander Radamès. The Pharaoh announces that Radamès’s reward for victory will be marriage to his daughter Amneris. The soldiers bring in the captives, and Aida sees her father Amonasro among them. Radamès pleads for the captives to be released, but Ramfis warns against their revenge and proposes that Aida and her father, who no one suspects is the King of Ethiopia, remain in Egypt as a guarantee of peace.
Act 3
In the Temple of Isis, Amneris is praying that the goddess will help her win Radamès’s love.
Aida is waiting for Radamès on the banks of the Nile. Amonasro arrives and tries to convince Aida to find out from Radamès the location of the Egyptian army, as he is planning a retaliatory attack. Aida must choose between her love for Radamès and for her homeland. Radamès convinces her again of his love. Aida begs him to flee to Ethiopia with her. Radamès finally agrees and, at Aida’s insistence, reveals the route that is not to be guarded. Amonasro emerges from his hiding place and confesses that he is the King of Ethiopia. Radamès realises that he has unintentionally betrayed his duty and his homeland. Amonasro proposes that he joins them and gains fame and a prominent position in his new country along with Aida’s love. Amneris overhears everything and calls the guards. Aida and Amonasro flee, and Radamès surrenders himself voluntarily to the priests.
Act 4
Radamès is to be tried for his betrayal. Amneris offers him salvation if he promises to give up Aida. Radamès refuses and the priests sentence him to be buried alive in the temple vault.
The vault is closed and Radamès awaits death. But he is not alone. Aida has hidden herself in the vault so that they can die together. Reconciled with their fate, they bid farewell to life. From the temple, the voices of the priests and Amneris in prayer can be heard.
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Cast
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