Verdi’s grand opera Aïda in Concert opens tonight at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center! We’ve got all the important details for you right here.
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FULL SYNOPSIS
Act I – A Hall in the Egyptian King’s palace. Inside the Temple of Ptah.
Ramfis, the high priest of Egypt tells young Radamès that war with the Ethiopians seems inevitable. Radamès, hoping to be chosen as the Egyptian commander, dreams of gaining victory on the battlefield and of his secret lover, Aïda, an Ethiopian slave. Aïda, who is also secretly in love with Radamès, is the captured daughter of the Ethiopian King, Amonasro, but her Egyptian captors are unaware of her true identity. Her father has invaded Egypt to rescue her.
Amneris, the daughter of the Egyptian King, enters the hall. She too loves Radamès, but fears that his heart belongs to someone else.
Aïda appears and, when Radamès sees her, Amneris notices that he looks disturbed. She suspects that Aïda could be her rival but is able to hide her jealousy and approach Aïda.
The King enters along with Ramfis and the palace court. A messenger announces that the Ethiopians, led by King Amonasro, are marching towards Thebes. The King declares war and proclaims that Radamès has been chosen by the goddess Isis to lead the army. Radamès proceeds to the temple of Vulcan to take up the sacred arms.
Alone in the hall, Aïda feels torn between her love for her father, her country, and Radamès.
A solemn ceremony takes place, followed by the installation of Radamès as commander-in-chief. All present in the temple pray fervently for Egypt’s victory.
Act II – The chamber of Amneris. The grand gate of Thebes.
Amneris prepares to celebrate Radamès’ victory. However, she doubts Radamès’ love and wonders whether Aïda is in love with him.
When Aïda enters the chamber, Amneris asks her other attendants to leave. She tells Aïda that Radamès has died in battle. Aïda is shocked by the news. Amneris ultimately confesses that Radamès is in fact alive, and Aïda, overcome, professes that her heart belongs to Radamès eternally. Amneris, in a rage, promises revenge despite Aïda’s desperate pleas.
Radamès returns victorious, and the troops march into the city.
The Egyptian king decrees that the triumphant Radamès may have anything he wishes. The Ethiopian captives are led onstage in chains, Amonasro among them. Aïda rushes to her father, who whispers to her to conceal his true identity as King of Ethiopia and proclaims to the Egyptians that the Ethiopian king has been slain in battle. Aïda, Amonasro, and the captured Ethiopians plead with the Egyptian King for mercy, but Ramfis and the Egyptian priests call for their death.
Claiming his reward, Radamès asks the Egyptian King to spare the lives of the prisoners and set them free. The King relents and declares Radamès his successor, who will marry Amneris, his daughter. At Ramfis’ suggestion, the King keeps Aïda and Amonasro as hostages to ensure that the Ethiopians do not avenge their defeat.
Act III – The banks of the Nile, near the Temple of Isis.
Amneris enters the Temple of Isis to prepare for her marriage to Radamès. Outside, Aïda waits to meet with Radamès when her father suddenly appears.
Amonasro orders Aïda to find out the location of the Egyptian army from Radamès. Torn between her love for Radamès and her loyalty to her homeland and father, Aïda reluctantly agrees. When Radamès arrives, Amonasro hides to listen to their conversation.
Radamès affirms that he will marry Aïda, and they agree to flee to the desert together.
In order to make their escape, Aïda pushes for Radamès to tell of a safe route. He discloses the location where his army will attack. Amonasro comes out of hiding and reveals his identity. Radamès realizes that he has given away a crucial military secret to the enemy. At the same time, Amneris and Ramfis leave the temple and, seeing Radamès in conference with the enemy, call for the imperial guards. Amonasro draws a dagger to kill Amneris and Ramfis before the guards can hear them, but Radamès stops him. Radamès orders Amonasro to flee with Aïda and then surrenders himself to the imperial guards.
Act IV – A hall in the Temple of Justice. Radamès’ prison cell. The crypt.
Amneris, hoping to save Radamès, calls for the guard to bring him to her.
She asks Radamès to deny the accusations of treachery, but Radamès refuses. He is relieved to know Aïda is alive and hopes she has reached her own country.
Ramfis brings the formal charges against Radamès and calls on him to defend himself, but he stands mute. The priests condemned him to death. Amneris protests that Radamès is innocent and pleads for mercy. The priests sentence him to be buried alive; Amneris weeps and curses the priests as he is taken away.
Radamès, sealed in a dark vault on a lower level of the temple, believes he is alone. As he hopes that Aïda is in a safer place, he hears a sigh, and Aïda appears. She has hidden herself in the vault to die with him. They accept their terrible fate and bid farewell to Earth and its sorrows. Above the vault in the temple, Amneris weeps and prays to the goddess Isis. In the vault below, Aïda dies in Radamès’ arms.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW
WHAT DO I WEAR TO THE OPERA?
Many opera-goers wear comfortable, business-appropriate clothing, and many dress casually as well. In Tulsa, you’ll see opera-goers wearing everything from ball gowns to cowboy boots. Feel free to dress up for a special night out, dress down for comfort, or find your own happy medium.
HOW DO I SHOW MY APPRECIATION FOR THE PRODUCTION?
Enthusiastic displays of appreciation are always welcome after a well-executed aria! It is customary to shout “Bravo!” (for a male singer), “Brava!” (for a female singer), or “Bravi” (for the whole cast). All three expressions mean “terrific.”
LATE SEATING
Out of consideration for the performers and other members of the audience, we observe a “no late seating” policy. Those arriving after the performance has begun will be seated at an appropriate pause or at intermission.
TICKET CONCERNS
Don’t have tickets yet? Purchase tickets here!
The PAC Ticket Office opens two hours prior to show time, should you have any ticketing concerns. The house will open 30 minutes prior to showtime.
If this is your first time joining us, click here for more helpful information.
DIRECTIONS & PARKING
Aïda in Concert will be located at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center downtown Tulsa on Cincinnati Avenue between 2nd and 3rd Street. Please plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of the show. This will allow time for parking and finding your seats by 7:30pm.
Find additional information here.
ADDRESS
110 E 2nd St
Tulsa, OK 74103
