Short summary

Love and duty collide and nations clash in Verdi’s political drama, starring Elena Stikhina and conducted by Antonio Pappano.

Long summary

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.

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

A co-production with Lyric Opera of Chicago