大象传媒

ACT I

Egypt, during the reign of the pharaohs. At the royal palace in Memphis, the high priest Ramfis tells the warrior Radame虁s that Ethiopia is preparing another attack against Egypt. Radame虁s hopes to command his army. He is in love with Aida, the Ethiopian slave of Princess Amneris, the king鈥檚 daughter, and he believes that victory in the war would enable him to free her and marry her. But Amneris loves Radame虁s, and when the three meet, she jealously senses his feelings for Aida. A messenger tells the king of Egypt and the assembled priests and soldiers that the Ethiopians are advancing. The king names Radame虁s to lead the army, and all join in a patriotic anthem. Left alone, Aida is torn between her love for Radame虁s and loyalty to her native country, where her father, Amonasro, is king. She prays to the gods for mercy.
In the temple of Vulcan, the priests consecrate Radame虁s to the service of the god. Ramfis orders him to protect the homeland.

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ACT II

Ethiopia has been defeated, and Amneris waits for the triumphant return of Radame虁s. When Aida approaches, the princess sends away her other attendants so that she can learn her slave鈥檚 private feelings. She first pretends that Radame虁s has fallen in battle, then says he is still alive. Aida鈥檚 reactions leave no doubt that she loves Radame虁s. Amneris, certain she will be victorious over her rival, leaves for the triumphal procession.

At the city gates the king and Amneris observe the celebrations and crown Radame虁s with a victor鈥檚 wreath. Captured Ethiopians are led in. Among them is Amonasro, Aida鈥檚 father, who signals his daughter not to reveal his identity as king. Radame虁s is impressed by Amonasro鈥檚 eloquent plea for mercy and asks for the death sentence on the prisoners to be overruled and for them to be freed. The king grants his request but keeps Amonasro in custody. The king declares that as a victor鈥檚 reward, Radame虁s will have Amneris鈥檚 hand in marriage.

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ACT III

On the eve of Amneris鈥檚 wedding, Ramfis and Amneris enter a temple on the banks of the Nile to pray. Aida, who is waiting for Radame虁s, is lost in thoughts of her homeland. Amonasro suddenly appears. Invoking Aida鈥檚 sense of duty, he makes her agree to find out from Radame虁s which route the Egyptian army will take to invade Ethiopia. Amonasro hides as Radame虁s arrives and assures Aida of his love. They dream about their future life together, and Radame虁s agrees to run away with her. Aida asks him about his army鈥檚 route, and just as he reveals the secret, Amonasro emerges from his hiding place. When he realizes that Amonasro is the Ethiopian king, Radame虁s is horrified by what he has done. While Aida and Amonasro try to calm him, Ramfis and Amneris step out of the temple. Father and daughter are able to escape, but Radame虁s surrenders to the priests.

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ACT IV

Radame虁s awaits trial as a traitor, believing Aida to be dead. Even after he learns that she has survived, he rejects an offer by Amneris to save him if he renounces Aida. When he is brought before the priests, he refuses to answer their accusations and is condemned to be buried alive. Amneris begs for mercy, but the judges will not change their verdict. She curses the priests.

Aida has hidden in the vault to share Radame虁s鈥檚 fate. They express their love for the last time while Amneris, in the temple above, prays for Radame虁s鈥檚 soul.