Aida
The new interpretation of Verdi’s masterpiece Aida on the Main Stage of the Finnish National Opera moves the story from Ancient Egypt and its pharaohs to the modern Middle East. In a landscape of political tension, shifting alliances, and constant conflict, Aida tells the story of love colliding with the demands of power, loyalty and war.
Aida’s clash between private longing and public duty resonates as strongly today as it did at the opera’s world premiere in 1871. Verdi’s magnificent music unfolds from intimate confessions to monumental choral scenes, giving a voice to love, power, loss and hope.
Before the performance, Sami Sykkö introduces the audience to the theme together with his guest Assistant Director Charlotta Sevón. Guests in the interval discussion are mezzo-soprano Tuija Knihtilä and Professor of Middle Eastern Studies Hannu Juusola as special guests.
The recording is from the Finnish National Opera’s performance on September 17, 2026.
Creative team
MUSIC Giuseppe Verdi
LIBRETTO Antonio Ghislanzoni
DIRECTOR Noa Naamat
SET DESIGN Bettina John, Noa Naamat
COSTUME DESIGN Bettina John
LIGHTING DESIGN Noa Naamat, Heiko Steuernagel
CONDUCTOR Dan Ettinger, Harri Karri
Discover the cast of the performance here (pdf, 701kB)
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