Arena di Verona
by Giuseppe Verdi | Directed by Gianfranco de Bosio
Show
Opera
Booklet
Antonio Ghislanzoni
Music
Giuseppe Verdi
Duration
195' circa
On 10 August 1913, the premiere of Aida marked the birth of the opera festival. Exactly 111 years later, that legendary performance continues to astonish audience members at the Arena.
Scene I: Ancient Egypt. The young warrior Radamès dreams of leading the army to victory to win the heart of his secret love: Aida, a slave to Amneris (daughter of the Pharaoh), who herself is in love with (and jealous of) Radamès. When news arrives of Ethiopia's invasion of Egypt, the King appoints Radamès as supreme commander and calls for war. Aida (who is actually an Ethiopian princess) is torn between her love for Radamès and her loyalty to her homeland.
Scene II: At the Temple of Vulcan, a solemn ceremony unfolds, wherein Radamès is bestowed with the investiture and the revered sacred sword.
Scene I: Amidst joyful song and dance, Amneris eagerly awaits the victorious army's return. Aida arrives, and with suspicions of her being a romantic rival, the princess cunningly tricks her into confessing her feelings for Radamès. This ignites a wrathful fury in Amneris, yet the arrival of the troops interrupts their confrontation.
Scene II: Radamès's victory is celebrated with grandeur, and the Pharaoh offers him any reward he wishes. Among the captives from Ethiopia is King Amonasro, Aida's father, whose true identity remains concealed from the Egyptians. Radamès requests freedom for all prisoners, a wish granted by the Pharaoh. In return, he is promised Amneris's hand in marriage. However, the High Priest Ramfis intervenes, ensuring that Aida and her father remain captive.
While Amneris prays at the Temple of Isis, Aida ventures to the banks of the Nile, where Radamès has arranged to meet her. She first reminisces about her distant homeland and is then joined by her father, who, through a mix of flattery and threats, persuades her to find out the location of the Egyptian army from Radamès. When Radamès arrives, Aida convinces him to flee with her using a safe route without any fear of discovery. Unaware of the deception, he reveals it to her. Amonasro rejoices, and Amneris, emerging from the temple, discovers everything. Aida and her father escape, while Radamès surrenders himself to the guards.
Scene I: Torn between love and anger, Amneris begs Radamès to deny the charges of treason, disclosing that Amonasro is dead but Aida is still alive. He rejects her plea and confronts the judgment of the priests, led by Ramfis. The verdict is dire: he is to be buried alive. Amneris's despair proves futile, and the sentence is final.
Scene II: Buried beneath the Temple of Vulcan, Radamès learns that Aida has hidden herself in the tomb to join him in death. Together, the two lovers bid farewell to life, yearning for happiness in the afterlife while Amneris beseeches Isis to grant eternal peace to her beloved.
10, 18, 22, 29 August 05 September
10, 18, 22, 29 August 05 September
10, 18, 22, 29 August 05 September
10, 18, 22, 29 August 05 September
10, 18 August
22, 29 August
05 September
10, 18, 22, 29 August 05 September
10, 18 August
22 August
29 August 05 September
10 August
18 August
22, 29 August 05 September
10, 29 August 05 September
10 August
18, 22 August 05 September
29 August
10, 18, 22 August
29 August 05 September
10, 18, 22, 29 August 05 September
“Gloria all'Egitto” and to Aida, the Arena's reigning opera, the 1913 version of which will be performed five times (from 10 August to 5 September) with set designs by Ettore Fagiuoli. Rediscovered in 1982 by Gianfranco de Bosio, this show, now the longest-running in Arena history, encourages you to immerse yourself in the vintage atmospheres of the early 1900s that accompanied the Festival's creation.
The Ministry of Culture and Fondazione Arena di Verona celebrate the recognition of opera as a vital contribution to cultural heritage in an extraordinary gala evening with Riccardo Muti conducting 154 orchestra musicians and over 300 choir artists.
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The historic 1913 rendition of the queen of the Arena.
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A world premiere to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons. Arena di Verona presents an immersive experience combining classical music and technology, directed by Marco Balich, with Giovanni Andrea Zanon on violin.
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