Corner La Trin: Aida

"Yes, it is rumoured that Ethiopia dares once again,
Threaten our power in the valley of the Nile,
As well as at Thebes.
The truth from the messengers I soon will know."

The high priest, Ramphis, started off the opera, Aida, with a strong and pure Bass tone. I was amazed at how loud and how emotional his voice was. I settled into my chair and let Aida unfold.

Aida was just captivating. This opera was about Radames, a young Captain of the Guard who was selected to lead the troops to stop the Ethiopian army and then free his beloved Aida, a slave who is actually an Ethiopian princess. On returning to the palace with victory, the king rewards him with a betrothal to Amneris, his daughter. Amneris is overjoyed, as she is in love with him, but Radames does not return that love, for his heart belongs to Aida.

On the night of Radames's wedding, Aida and her father, who was captured in his defeat hide in the garden. Aida's father hides in the bushes while Aida meets Radames in the garden. Aida convinces him to flee to the desert with her, and Radames tells her his battle plans to defeat the Ethiopians. Aida's father leaps out of the bushes and is overjoyed. Radames is shameful. At that moment, palace guards come and see Radames in love with Aida. They arrest him.

Amneris pleads with Radames to deny his love for Aida, but he refuses firmly. The high priest takes him to trial, where Radames confirms his love for Aida and is sentenced to be buried alive. He is taken to the tomb and is sealed in. He hopes Aida has reached a better place than he. Then Aida emerges from the darkness and they embrace passionately. They accept their fate and wander off into the darkness.

Their were tears in my eyes at that last scene. It was just so beautiful. The whole opera was beautiful. I had seen many Broadway musicals before but this was my first Italian Opera experience. I loved every bit of it.

At Verona Arena where the opera took place