Aida

Aida is one of Giuseppe Verdi’s best-known works. Depicting the romantic love story of the Egyptian warrior Radames and the slave Aida, daughter of the Ethiopian King Amonasro, against the backdrop of a military conflict, it has been a repertoire staple of theatres worldwide ever since its triumphant premiere at the Khedivial Opera House in Cairo in 1871.

The opera has mesmerised music lovers with its lavish scenery and exquisite costumes, magnificent collective scenes, as well as intimate personal drama. Aida has to decide between being loyal to her country and dedicating herself to a man who is one of the oppressors of her nation. The dilemma of choosing between love and duty is also faced by Radames, who ultimately betrays his homeland because of Aida.

Verdi wrote Aida on the basis of the French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette’s scenario, conceived to commission from Ismail Pasha, Viceroy of Egypt, for the inauguration of the Suez Canal. Impressed by the plot, Verdi travelled to Egypt so as to get a feel for the country and its culture. After returning to Italy, he had Ancient Egyptian “Aida trumpets” made in Milan which he would employ in the famous Triumphal March.

• Approximate running time: 2 hours 45 minutes, 1 intermission (20 minutes)
• Language: In Italian, surtitles in Czech, English

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