Princess Aida has been kidnapped: a valuable prize in a war between Egypt and Ethiopia. Meanwhile, the ambitious soldier Radames wrestles with his feelings for her. As they draw closer together, each must make an agonizing choice between their loyalty to home, and their love for each other.
In this new production, director Robert Carsen situates Verdi’s large-scale political drama within a contemporary world, framing its power struggles and toxic jealousies in the apparatus of a modern, totalitarian state. Royal Opera Music Director Antonio Pappano conducts Verdi’s glorious, monumental score.
Running time: Approximately 3 hours 25minutes (including one interval)
Music: Giuseppe Verdi
Director: Robert Carsen
Set designer: Miriam Buether
Costume designer: Annemarie Woods
Lighting designer: Robert Carsen and Peter van Praet
Video designer: Duncan McLean
Choreographer: Rebecca Howell
Conducted by: Antonio Pappano
Aida: Elena Stikhina
Radames: Francesco Meli
Amneris: Agnieszka Rehlis
Amonasro: Ludovic Tézier
Ramfis: Soloman Howard
King of Egypt: In Sung Sim
Royal Opera Chorus
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House