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In a hall in the palace of the King of Memphis, Ramfis, the High Priest, tells the warrior Radames that Ethiopian forces might again be threatening Egypt. Radames dreams of victory in battle; returning to the woman he loves, the Ethiopian slave Aida; and bringing her to her native land with a crown on her head.
The Egyptian princess Amneris enters, followed by her slave Aida. Amneris sees Radames’ reaction to Aida’s arrival and realizes he loves her. She attempts to discover if Aida feels the same. The King and Ramfis enter with ministers, priests and captains. A messenger reports that Ethiopian forces have invaded Egypt. The King announces that Radames is to lead the Egyptian forces and he is sent to the Temple of Vulcan to prepare for battle. Aida bitterly grieves for her fate: to love a man who is the enemy of everything she loves.
Radames and the Egyptian forces have triumphed. Amneris, in her apartments preparing for the celebrations, secretly prays that her love for Radames will be returned. When Aida enters, Amneris tells her that Radames has been killed in battle. Aida's reaction to this lie, and her relief when Amneris tells her that Radames is alive, is all the proof Amneris needs of Aida’s love. She coldly tells Aida that they are romantic rivals. Aida begs for mercy, telling Amneris that her love will only be extinguished by death.
Radames, with his army, triumphantly enters an avenue at the gates of Thebes and greets the King. The King offers him anything he wants, and Radames asks that the Ethiopian prisoners be brought forth. Aida is overcome to see her father, Amonasro, who instructs her not to reveal his identity as king. Amonasro tells the King that he witnessed the Ethiopian king’s death. Radames asks that the Ethiopian captives be freed now that their king is dead. Ramfis convinces the Egyptian King to keep Aida and her father captive. The King agrees and gives Radames Amneris's hand in marriage. The Egyptians give praise to Isis, while Amonasro secretly swears vengeance, Amneris rejoices and Radames and Aida silently grieve over their fate.
Ramfis enters the Temple of Isis with Amneris, who has come to pray for her wedding the next day. Aida approaches the Temple, having received a message from Radames to meet her. Amonasro meets Aida, telling her that he has recognized Aida's love for Radames, He urges her to use it to save their people: only she can discover the plans of the Egyptian army. Aida reluctantly agrees, and Amonasro takes cover as Radames approaches. Radames wants to seek favour with the King to win the right to marry Aida, but Aida convinces him to run away with her instead. As they formulate their plan, Radames inadvertently reveals the Egyptian army’s plan. On hearing this, Amonasro reveals himself and his real identity to Radames. Having heard everything, Amneris and Ramfis appear from the temple. Amonasro tries to kill Amneris, and Radames blocks him, giving Amonasro and Aida an opportunity to flee, while also damning himself as a traitor. Radames surrenders to Ramfis.
Amneris knows that Radames was planning to escape with Aida, and did not intend to reveal his battle plans. She has him brought to her and pleads with him to defend himself, promising to try to save him if he will renounce Aida. Radames refuses. Radames is taken to the judgment chamber where he is unwilling to defend himself to Ramfis and the priests. He is sentenced to the death of the disgraced, by being entombed alive.
Radames has been entombed in a crypt under the Temple of Vulcan. He sees a shadow move towards him. It's Aida, who has slipped into the crypt to die in his arms. Radames tries desperately to move the huge stone that has locked them into the crypt, but to no avail. They bid farewell to the earth, awaiting their entrance into the next world, while above the tomb, Amneris prays for peace.