【Aida】Synopsis, Character Map

I will not allow you to fall in love with any other woman but me!

Come with me and leave Egypt. Which road should we take to escape? Aren’t there armed soldiers all over the place?

The valley of Napata will be uninhabited until tomorrow.

Ramfis
It looks like Ethiopia is going to invade. The goddess of Isis will choose the supreme commander of the Egyptian army.

Those who are chosen are lucky.

Ramfis
The young and brave will be chosen.

If I am chosen as the supreme commander of the Egyptian army, I will fight bravely. I will win the victory and I will take Aida as my wife.

Pure Aida. I want to put the royal crown on your hair. I want you to sit on the throne of the sun.

Celeste Aida

I can see the joy in your gaze. What beautiful woman makes your heart flutter?

Quale insolita gioia nel tuo sguardo

I had a lucky dream. If I were to be chosen as the supreme commander of the Egyptian army…

I thought you had sweeter dreams.

Do you think I’m having a sweet dream?

Oh, no. My secret love for Aida will be exposed.

If you like any other woman than me, I won’t let you get away with it!

Radamès is upset when he sees Aida! She’s my rival?

Come here. Ida, I think of you as my sister. Tell me the reason for your tears.

Vieni, o diletta, appressati

I’m an Ethiopian and I’m crying for my country, which is going to war.

I do not shed tears only for my homeland. I also shed tears for my unhappy love.

There is anger and suspicion on Amneris’s face. It would be terrible if she found out about my secret love affair with Aida.

The King of Egypt
The messenger from the border has arrived.

The messenger
Egypt has been invaded by Ethiopians. They have already reached Thebes. The Ethiopian army is led by Amonasro.

The King of Egypt
An Ethiopian king leading an army!

That’s my father.

The messenger
In Thebes, they are already preparing for battle.

The King of Egypt
The goddess Isis chose Radamès to be the supreme commander of the Egyptian army.

Thank the gods.

I am delighted he has been elected commander.

My father and Radamès are going to fight!

The King of Egypt
Go to the temple, Radamès. Pray for victory.

Thank the gods. Let us fight for victory.

All
Fight! Fight! Exterminate the invaders!

Come back with a win!

All
Come back with a win!

“Come back with a win!” These were the terrible words that came out of my mouth. How could Radamès and my father fight? My sinister love will bring death to me.

Ritorna vincitor

The priestesses
Almighty God, God who gives life to the world. Let us pray to you.

Immenso, immenso Fthà, del mondo

The priests
O God, who created the sea, the earth, and the sky out of nothing. We pray to you!

O god, protect Egypt!

I can’t help having an abominable suspicion when I see this woman.

Aida, I’m sorry to hear about your country. But don’t hide anything from me. Didn’t you suffer because your homeland and Egypt fought each other?

Fate has been cruel to some. A capable commander, Radamès, was killed in battle.

Fu la sorte dell’armi a’tuoi funesta

I will mourn and weep forever.

I knew you loved Radamès! Radamès is still alive. Pharaoh’s daughter is your rival.

You are my love rival! Well, if you say so, then I suppose I am!

Oh, how I have said it. Have mercy. I love Radamès with immeasurable love. You are happy and powerful. I have nothing to rely on but my love for him.

Tremble, and wait for my revenge!

You will now join me in the celebrations. I’ll be on the throne and you’ll be prostrate. You will know. You will know if you can really fight me!

Have mercy.

All
Glory to Egypt, glory to the God of Isis. To the God who protects the Holy Land. To the King who rules the Delta. Glory to him!

Gloria all’Egitto, ad Iside

Women
Let the lotus and laurel decorate the hair of the victor. Let the flowers be scattered on the weapons. The daughters of Egypt dance a mystical dance.

The King of Egypt
O Savior of my country! I will give you a crown from my daughter. I will give you a prize. I will grant you whatever you wish.

First of all, please allow us to bring the Ethiopian prisoners of war here before you.

That man is my father.

Che veggo!… Egli!… Mio padre!

Aida, do not reveal my identity.

I am the father of this girl. As you can see from this soldier’s clothes, he fought for his country and his king. If the love of country is a crime, then we are sinners. I am ready to die.

But, O King! I ask you to be merciful. For today we are defeated by fate, but tomorrow you may be the one to lose.

Ethiopian prisoners of war
We ask you, O King of Egypt, to have mercy on us. May our suffering not be inflicted on you.

Ramfis
Do not listen to them, O king. They are cruel. The gods have brought death to them. It has already been decided by God.

We ask you, O King, to have mercy on us. May our suffering not be inflicted on you.

Aida’s face is beautiful in her grief.

Radamès is looking at Aida.

O king, you have sworn to grant me my wish. For the sake of the Ethiopian prisoners of war, I ask for their lives and their freedom.

All
Death to the enemies of the fatherland!

Ramfis
O king, O Radamès! They are enemies. And they have vengeance in their hearts. They will take up arms again.

The king of Ethiopia is already dead. There is no hope for them.

Ramfis
If you are so sure, leave Aida’s father in Egypt as a guarantee.

The King of Egypt
I will follow your advice, O chief priest.

Radamès, I give you Amneris as a reward. Amneris and Radamès are to be married. They will rule the country.

Aida, if you dare to take Radamès from me, do it.

For Radamès, glory, and thrones. For me, oblivion and tears.

A thunderbolt has struck me. The throne of Egypt is not worth as much as the heart of Aida.

I am drunk with unexpected joy. The dream of my heart is coming true.

Pull yourself together, Aida. You must bring joy to Ethiopia. The time for revenge is near.

All
Glory to Egypt, glory to the God of Isis.

The priestesses
O Mother and Wife of Osiris, O Goddess!

O tu che sei d’Osiride

Ramfis
Amneris, go to the temple and offer the wedding prayer.

I pray that Radamès will love me as I love him.

Radamès is coming here. What is he going to tell me? Perhaps he is coming to say goodbye to me.

I miss my homeland. I will never be able to return.

O patria mia

I understand the relationship between you three. There is a way to defeat Amneris if you want it. You can have your homeland and your throne.

Remember the fragrant forests, the cool valleys, the golden temples.

Rivedrai le foreste imbalsamate

I remember the fragrant forests, the cool valleys, and the golden temples.

Don’t forget! Egypt invaded us first, destroyed our palaces, and took away our country’s daughters. Our country is ready to fight. But we must know the path the enemy will take.

Get the Egyptian military secrets from Radamès. For the sake of our country.

I finally met you, my dear Aida.

Pur ti riveggo, mia dolce Aida

Please leave. You are to be married to Amneris.

Why do you say such things? I love you so much. Next time there is a war, I will win it and take the credit. As a reward for my victory, I will ask the king to grant me the privilege of marrying you.

If you love me, I want you to run away from here with me.

Do you want me to leave my country? Do you want me to leave everything I have built up? Do you want me to abandon my faith?

You do not love me. Goodbye.

Wait a minute. Okay. I’ll run away with you. I’m abandoning my country.

Which road should we take to escape? Aren’t there armed soldiers all over the place?

The valley of Napata will be uninhabited until tomorrow to attack the enemy.

The valley of Napata! Send our Ethiopian troops there!

I am the king of Ethiopia.

You are Amonasro. I have lost my honor! I have betrayed my country.

Tu!… Amonasro!… tu!… il Re?

Calm down!

(Amneris’ voice from far away) Traitor!

My love rival!

My love rival is gone. Radamès is awaiting judgment from the priests.

Radamès has betrayed Egypt. He revealed military secrets and tried to leave the country with Aida.

I love Radamès desperately and madly. I want to save him. Guards, bring Radamès to me.

L’aborrita rivale a me sfuggia

The priests who will decide your fate are gathered here. Despite the horror of the situation, you have been allowed to explain yourself. Explain yourself. I will be there to support you.

Già i Sacerdoti adunansi

I don’t think my explanation will be heeded. Indeed, I have carelessly given information to the enemy.

I’ve lost all hope and I’m ready to die.

Do not tell me of your death! Live for me.

You have taken Aida from me, you have made her dead, and you have given me life.

Aida is still alive. The only one who has died is Aida’s father.

I want Aida to return safely to her country. I do not want her to know that I am dead.

You will live.

I’m ready to die.

I can’t believe it was me who informed the priests of Radamès’ betrayal.

Ramfis’ voice
O Spirit of God, come down to us. According to God’s judgment, we will judge him.

Spirto del Nume

Oh, have mercy on him.

Ramfis’ voice
You will not plead your case. You have disobeyed your country, your king, and your honor.

Radamès, your fate is sealed. You will die a man of infamy. You will enter alive under the temple of an angry god.

It’s awful to put him in the grave while he’s still alive! He’s the one I love. How can you do such a terrible thing to him?

Ramfis
He is a traitor. He deserves the death penalty.

The stone of death has closed over me. I wonder if Aida is safe.

La fatal pietra sovra me si chiuse

I had anticipated that this would be the case and had gone into the tomb ahead of time.

Aida and Radamès
O earth, farewell, farewell, the valley of tears. A dream of joy gone with pain. The heavens are open to us.

O terra, addio; addio, valle di pianti

May peace be with you. May God lead you to heaven.

Pace t’imploro