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AIDA

G. Verdi
"AIDA"
Opera in 4 acts
Libretto by A. Ghislanzoni
Characters:
King of Egypt
Amneris, his daughter
Aida, Ethiopian slave
Radames, captain of the palace guard
Ramfis
Amonasro, King of Ethiopia, Aida's father
Priestess
Messenger

Symphony orchestra, choir and ballet of Abay Kazakh state academic opera and ballet theater

 

Production team:

Prodiction-conductor - NURLAN ZHARASOV, Honored figure of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Prodiction-choreographer - MENTAI TLEUBAEV, Honored figure of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Choirmaster - ALIYA TEMIRBEKOVA

I action II action III action IV action
At the royal palace in Memphis a message is received of an Ethiopian invasion. Captain of the guards Radames is dreaming of glory. He hopes to command the army. He hopes his victory would enable him to free his beloved Aida – the pharaoh’s prisoner. His agitation doesn’t escape the attention of Amneris, who enters the hall. The pharaoh’s daughter suspects he is in love with the slave. Aida’s embarrassment strengthens her suspicion.
The Pharaoh solemnly proclaims the will of the gods – Ramses is to lead the Egyptian army. Aida is in dismay. She is torn between her love for Radames and the fear for her father – the Ethiopian king Amonasro. Radames is consecrated in the Temple of God Ra. The priests call to the gods for Egypt’s victory. The high priests entrust Radames with the sacred sword.
Amneris excitedly waits for the return of the victorious Radames. When she sees Aida, her doubts and jealousy grow. Wanting to uncover the prisoner’s secret, the pharaoh’s daughter tells her that Radames is dead. Aida cannot hide her despair. Amneris furiously threatens Aida with terrible punishment.
Triumphant blowing of horns is heard from the square. Aida prays to the gods for death. She cannot forsake her love.

The people greet the triumphant victors. The Captive Ethiopians are lead before the pharaoh. Amonasro is among them. His daughter rushes to him, but he warns her: no one must know that he is the king. The prisoners beg for mercy. The people join their plea. After consulting with Ramfis, the pharaoh decides to keep Aida and her father as his prisoners. Radames receives his daughter’s hand in marriages as his reward. Amneris exultantly watches Aida’s sorrow.

Night-time. The banks of the Nile. Amneris is getting ready for her wedding with Radames in the temple of Isis. Aida is waiting to bid farewell to her beloved. She is sad, thinking of her home, which she is never to see again.
Amonasro suddenly appears. He knows of his daughter's love for Radames, and her rivalry with Amneris. The Ethiopian king sways her with the image of a free life in her native land and demands that she finds out which route Radames and his army are going take. Faced with her refusal he curses Aida – she is not the kings daughter, but a despicable pharaoh’s slave. Exhausted by the emotional struggle within her, she is ready to sacrifice her love for her homeland.
Amonasro hides as Radames enters. Radames believes in a happy future for them. Aida, however, doesn’t share his conviction – the obstacles are insurmountable, the pharaoh's daughter will destroy them. There is only one way – an escape to Ethiopia.
Radames wavers, he cannot abandon his homeland. But Aida manages to convince him. When Aida asks which route the army will take, the unsuspecting Radames reveals the secret. The triumphant Amonasro reveals himself – now the Ethiopians are sure to win. Radames is horrified. Unwillingly, he has betrayed his land. It is too late to run, and seeing Ramfis leaving the temple, Radames surrenders to the high priest.

Radames awaits trial in the dungeon. Amneris tries in vain to persuade him to repent, to renounce Aida. In turn, she will reward him with her love and the Egyptian crown. But Radames is firm. The pharaoh's daughter is overcome by conflicting emotions. She switches between threatening Radames with terrible vengeance and begging the gods to save him. The High Priest Ramfis delivers the sentence – Radames is to die in the dungeon. He shall be buried alive.

While awaiting death Radames is dreaming of his lover. Aida suddenly appears. She has decided to die together with him. No one can keep them apart now. Singing is heard from the temple. Amneris is bent over in sorrow on the stone that seals the dungeon.