Listening Guide

Connection to the Story: And so the love triangle begins with a luscious trio through which each of the characters reveal to the audience their inner feelings toward one another. Amneris, in love with Radames, wonders why the object of her affection is so happy when Aida enters. Radames responds evasively to Amneris’s questions. Aida pines for her homeland and for her beloved Radames.

Connection to the Story: In this touching aria, Aida faces a dilemma of her lover being the enemy of her father and homeland. Feeling hopeless and confused, Aida prays to the gods in a delicate prayer to take pity on her suffering.

Connection to the Story: The populace sings “Glory to Egypt and Isis” in celebration of the King’s offer of Amneris’s hand in marriage to Radames.

Connection to the Story: Amonasro encourages his daughter to keep faith in her love for Radames. He tries to emotionally blackmail her into obtaining crucial information from Radames regarding the path Egypt’s army will take against the Ethiopians. Horrified, Aida initially opposes, but after Amonasro renounces her as his daughter, she reluctantly agrees.

Connection to the Story: Amneris begs Radames to renounce his love for Aida. In turn, she will beg the King to pardon Radames for unknowingly informing the Ethopian King, Aida’s father, of Egypt’s battle plans. Radames declines Amneris’s offer and accepts his fate.

Connection to the Story: Radames has been sentenced to death by entombment. He is surprised by the voice of Aida who slipped inside as the priests were closing the tomb. Aida and Radames sing a powerful duet bidding farewell to life in each others arms.