AÏDA: SYNOPSIS

There is a short prelude.

ACT I, Scene 1 — Memphis, the palace of the King
Ramfis, the high priest of the god Ptah, and Radamès, a general, are talking about the invasion from “Ethiopia”. (The Ethiopia of the opera is not the present-day country of that name.) The goddess Isis has been consulted as to who should lead the Egyptian army against the enemy. When Ramfis leaves to tell the King of Isis’s decision, Radamès sings of how he hopes he will be chosen. Then he can dedicate his victory to Aïda, the beautiful Ethiopian slave with whom he has fallen in love (Celeste Aïda). Radamès is interrupted by the Princess Amneris, who teases him about being in love, hoping it is with her, but fearing she has a rival. Aïda enters and Amneris stands to one side observing the scene between the lovers. As Aïda confesses that she is worried about her own country in the coming war, Radamès notices the anger the listening Amneris displays. The princess swears that Aïda will feel her wrath. The King enters, followed by a messenger, who announces that the invading army, led by the warrior Amonasro, is advancing on Thebes. A stricken Aïda, knowing Amonasro to be her father, hides her reaction from the others. The King announces that Isis has chosen Radamès to command the Egyptian forces. Praising Isis, all but Aïda leave to go to the temple of Vulcan*. Left alone, Aïda sings of her anguish; either her father or the man she loves must lose the battle (Ritorna vincitor).

Scene 2 — The temple of Vulcan
The priests, priestesses and Radamès invoke the blessing of Ptah on their enterprise (Possente Fthà).

Scene 3 — The rooms of Amneris in the palace
Slave girls sing of Radamès and his wonderful victory. Amneris hopes that she herself will be one of his rewards, but she still fears a rival in Aïda. When Aïda appears, Amneris tricks her into revealing her feelings by telling her that Radamès has been killed in battle. The slave girl’s reaction tells the Princess all she needs to know, especially the joy the slave shows when Amneris admits that she lied; Radamès is safe. Aïda confesses her love and Amneris responds with a threat to break her heart. Amneris leaves to the sound of the chorus, cheering both the victory and the preparations for the celebration. Aïda can only pray that the gods have pity on her.

Scene 4 — An avenue in Thebes
While the King and his Court enter and take their places, the people sing the praises of Egypt, Isis, and all the gods (Gloria allÉgitto). The Egyptian troops march past displaying the trophies of their victory and, after Radamès enters to the cheers of the crowd, Amneris crowns him with a victory wreath. When the King promises him anything he wishes, Radamès asks that all of the captives be brought in. The last captive is Amonasro, Aïda’s father. She rushes toward him, and the crowd reacts to the discovery of their relationship, but Amonasro warns her not to speak his name. He is pretending to be someone other than the King of Ethiopia. As the priests call for the deaths of the captives, Amonasro, Aïda and the slave girls beg for mercy. Radamès cannot conceal his sympathy and love for Aïda, and Amneris is overcome with jealousy. As his promised reward, Radamès asks that all of the prisoners be set free. The King agrees and also announces that he is giving Amneris to Radamès as his wife. All the principals describe their feelings as the chorus once more sings praises to Egypt and Isis.


ACT II, Scene 1 — The banks of the Nile, near a temple to Isis
A chorus in the temple is heard singing a hymn to Osiris. After everyone has entered the temple, Aïda appears expecting to meet Radamès and hear him say goodbye forever. As she thinks of the beautiful land of her childhood (O patria mia — Oh my country), she is surprised by Amonasro. He knows she is in love with Radamès and Amneris is her rival. He tells her how she can have both of her wishes: to marry Radamès, and to return to her own country. She must get her lover to tell her the path that his army will be taking so the Ethiopian troops can ambush them. When Aïda cries out that she cannot betray the man she loves, Amonasro denounces her, telling her she will be responsible for destroying her country. She relents just before Radamès arrives and declares his love for Aïda. They agree to leave together, and she asks what path they can take to avoid the others. Overheard by the hiding Amonasro, he replies, “by the gorges of Napata”. When the Ethiopian shows himself and identifies himself as the King of Ethiopia and Aïda’s father, Radamès realizes he has been betrayed and denounces Aïda. Having overheard everything, Amneris and Ramfis emerge from the temple, and call the guards. Amonasro and his daughter flee as the betrayed hero surrenders his sword.

Scene 2 — A room in the palace
Sorrowfully, Amneris thinks of the situation with which she is faced. In spite of his betrayal, she still loves Radamès and hopes to be able to save him. When he is brought in, she tells him she will appeal to the Pharaoh. In turn, he asserts that he never meant to betray Egypt; he uttered the fateful words in all innocence. However, he refuses to defend himself to the court, because he wishes to die as he believes Aïda has. Amneris tells him that, while Amonasro was captured, his daughter escaped. The princess will help Radamès if only he will renounce Aïda, but he refuses. In spite of the pleas of Amneris, Radamès is condemned by the priests. She curses them.

Scene 3 — A tomb
Radamès has been entombed alive. As he wonders what has happened to Aïda, she suddenly appears. She has hidden in the tomb, preferring death with him to life without him. As the air in the tomb is exhausted, they say a goodbye to earth (O terra addio). Outside, Amneris prays to Isis that the hero may find peace.

* The libretto says the temple of Vulcan, but Vulcan was a Roman god with no connection to Egypt. Ptah was the god of Memphis and it is to him that they pray.