Aida was premiered in 1871. The plot focuses on the love story between Ethiopian princess Aida and Egyptian hero Radames. At the choice between love and loyalty for defending the country, the couple is indecisive in a dilemma. The opera is full of strong contrast for emotions: Aida loves with infatuation for motherland and Radames, Radames celebrates victory and decides on 'unjust act', and Egyptian princess Amneris has overbearing desire for Radames. The story features plump texture so that people lament for this beautiful love.
In order to achieve accurate representation of regional features and cultural characteristics of the whole storyline, Verdi repeatedly went to museums to watch Egyptian antiquities and asked Egyptian experts for advice. He blends the ancient musical materials into the opera presentation with lively and profound understanding. The grand stage set makes it suitable for outdoor auditoriums.
Composer: Giuseppe Verdi
Librettist: Antonio Ghislanzoni
Premiere: December 24th, 1871, Cairo Opera Theater
Conductor: Pinchas Steinberg
Stage Director: Francesco Micheli
Choreographer: Alessandra Panzavolta
Set Designer: Ezio Frigerio
Costume Designer: Franca Squarciapino
Lighting Designer: Vinicio Cheli
Projection Designer: Sergio Metalli
Chorus Master: Salvatore Caputo
Cast
Aida: Maria Teresa Leva / ZHOU Xiaolin●
Radames: Jorge de Leon / WANG Chong●
Amneris: Ekaterina Semenchuk / WANG Hongyao
Amonasro: Claudio Sgura /ZHANG Yang●
Ramfis: Adriano Gramigni
The King: GUAN Zhijing●
A Messenger: KOU Jing●
Priestess: LUO Yudan
●NCPA Resident Singer
Aida tells the touching story about the daughters of kings ruling over belligerent countries who make crucial choice for their common sweetheart: In the Egyptian Pharaoh Era, the war breaks out between Egypt and Ethiopia in the East Africa. Pharaoh's general Radames leads troops to go for battle and fights against Amonasro, King of Ethiopia. At this point, Pharaoh's daughter Princess Amneris loves Radames, whereas Radames' sweetheart is Amneris' female slave. This female slave is precisely Aida, the daughter of King of Ethiopia. It turns out that Aida is also a princess.
The grand celebration scene is set against the background that the joyful warriors hold parade for triumph ceremony on Triumph Square. Aida finds her father among prisoners captured by Radames, i.e., King of Ethiopia disguised as a soldier. The defeated king and his princess can do nothing, while victorious king is busy looking for uxorilocal son-in-law husband for his princess. Painful Radames is not only unwilling to marry the Egyptian princess, but also feels anxiety-ridden for Aida in danger. In order to avoid the long-term hostility between two countries and the freedom of love, Radames determinedly makes the decision to set free Aida and her father.
Unexpectedly, Princess Amneris, who keeps her watch in secret, is aware of such a planned action. Disregarding life and death, Radames is eventually sentenced for being buried alive. Aida doesn't want to drag out an ignoble existence without Radames. She comes to the grave in advance, and determinedly accompanies Radames till the end of time.
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