AÏDA I, Radames and Amneris

Description

Verdi’s  opera AÏDA

What is the story?

Egypt and Ethiopia are at war. Egyptian Army General Radamès is chosen to lead an assault on the enemy, and hopes by being victorious, to win the hand of his lover Aida – an Ethiopian enslaved as handmaiden to Egyptian princess, Amneris. However, Amneris is in love with Radamès herself, and is growing suspicious.

Radamès returns from battle triumphant, but Aida is devastated – her own father Amonasro, who is actually the King of Ethiopia, has been taken captive. To make matters worse, the King of Eygpt rewards Radamès with an unwelcome gift – his daughter Amneris in marriage. When Amonasro tasks Aida with helping him avenge Ethiopia though Radamès, loyalties collide, with devastating consequence…

The Aïda paintings had been shown during the opera’s performance in Amsterdam in the VVIP room, where members of the royal family were present, among them our former queen Juliana. They were also printed in the programme sheet of this opera performance in Amsterdam and Frankfurt.