Warm summer evenings are best spent under the stars with music, which is why the Janáček Opera of the National Theatre Brno (NdB) is once again bringing opera performances to the romantic setting of Špilberk Castle.

Two nations are at war, but in the midst of the battlefield, a much more intimate drama unfolds—one that may have unexpected consequences. The Egyptian princess Amneris is in love with the commander Radamès. However, his heart belongs to the captive Aida; no one knows she is actually the princess of the enemy Ethiopian land. Unbeknownst to them, they will soon face a choice that determines life or death…

Verdi’s Aida is one of his masterpieces, featuring all the essential ingredients of romantic Italian opera: love, jealousy, political intrigue, grand choral scenes, and inevitable tragic death. It naturally boasts a stellar cast, in this case featuring Csilla Boross, Sung Kyu Park, Luis Cansino, Aleš Jenis, and others. This production also marks the first collaboration between our ensemble and our junior ballet company, NdB2.

While Verdi usually chose his own subjects for musical setting, this time the offer came from the outside. The opera was commissioned by the Egyptian Khedive Isma’il Pasha, originally for the celebrations surrounding the opening of the Suez Canal and for the newly built Cairo Opera House. Verdi initially hesitated, but the story set in ancient Egypt, based on a tale by archaeologist Auguste Mariette, eventually caught his attention—not for its potential pomp, but for the intimate drama hidden beneath layers of political intrigue. The result is a gripping and timeless story full of evocative music, from famous arias like “Celeste Aida” and the Triumphal March to the heartbreaking final quartet. While productions usually focus on the secret lovers Radamès and Aida, what if we looked at the story through the eyes of Amneris? Her determination to win Radamès at any cost leads to a price she never anticipated: human lives, including that of her beloved.

The performance is held under the auspices of the Mayor of Brno, JUDr. Markéta Vaňková.

General Information

• EVENING BOX OFFICE: Located at the entrance gate to the 1st courtyard, the box office opens 45 minutes before the performance begins. Blankets are available for rent and rain ponchos for purchase.

• SEATING: The auditorium has no elevation; seating is on benches.

• SUBTITLES: Available in Czech.

• DRESS CODE: No formal dress code is required. We recommend dressing warmly, as summer evenings can be unpredictable.

• RESTROOMS: Spectators may use the restrooms located between the 1st and 2nd courtyards.

• GETTING THERE: You can begin your walk up to Špilberk Castle from the nearest public transport stops: Česká, Šilingrovo náměstí, Úvoz, or Komenského náměstí.

• RAIN PONCHOS & BLANKETS: In case of inclement weather, rain ponchos are available for purchase (30 CZK) and blankets can be rented for a refundable deposit of 100 CZK.

In the event of an extremely unfavorable weather forecast, the performance will be canceled. Please follow the NdB website news section or the Janáček Opera NdB Facebook and Instagram pages for updates.

Show more

Show less

Show less