Giuseppe Verdi – Antonio Ghislanzoni
Aida
When love defies war
In this new production, Aida unfolds not in the distant world of the pharaohs, but against the backdrop of the modern Middle East — a landscape shaped by political tension, shifting alliances, and the human cost of conflict. At the heart of the opera lies the impossible love between Aida and Radamès, crushed between loyalty, power, and identity.
The timeless story, with its emotional stakes, the clash between private longing and public duty, and the tragedy of two people caught in forces larger than themselves, still resonates as strongly as it did at the opera’s premiere in 1871. Verdi’s music binds it all together with irresistible force. From intimate confessions to monumental choral scenes, his score draws the audience into every heartbeat of the drama — a soundscape that is as gripping, immediate, and deeply human today as ever.
“This concept deliberately steers clear of specific political narratives, focusing instead on the universal human cost of war in the Middle East. […] It’s a reflection on the young generation’s search and longing for normality in a world where peace remains an elusive dream.”
– noa naamat, DIRECTOR
Tickets and performances
Watch trailer
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Trailer: Darmstadt State Theatre
synopsis
For as long as anyone can remember, the two peoples have been at war.
Act I
The rumor is true: once again the enemy is approaching. Radamès, a young captain of the royal guard, hears it from the high priest. In prayer, the priest has learned who is destined to lead the army against the enemy, and he comes to inform the king of the gods’ choice. Radamès dreams of being selected: he would return victorious, rebuild Aida’s homeland and seat her, “the queen of his thoughts,” on a throne close to the sun.
Amneris, the king’s daughter, interrupts his reverie. His eagerness for battle arouses her suspicions. Must she fear that Radamès does not love her in return? Watching the way he looks at Aida, she becomes convinced: the captive woman taken in the last war is her rival for his heart.
News arrives that the enemy forces are led by Amonasro. He is Aida’s father, a fact she has wisely concealed. The king announces the gods’ decision: Radamès will lead the army. The people rejoice. Only Aida is distraught. Should she wish for Radamès to defeat her father, or for her father to defeat Radamès?
Horrified that she too has joined the others in shouting “Return victorious!”, she longs for death. The people pray for divine favour in battle.
Read full synopsis
Act II
Radamès’ troops have been victorious. To discover Aida’s true feelings for him, Amneris tells her that Radamès has been killed. Aida confesses that she loves him. Overcome by jealousy, Amneris resolves to humiliate her publicly during the victory festivities. The triumph over the enemy is celebrated. One of the prisoners brought before the king is Aida’s father, Amonasro, who pretends to be an ordinary soldier and begs for mercy alongside the others. Despite the priests’ opposition, Radamès asks the king to grant the prisoners their lives and freedom. The king offers a compromise: only Aida and her father shall remain as hostages.
As a reward for his victory, Radamès is to take Amneris as his wife and become the king’s successor. Aida is devastated. Her father whispers that she must not despair. Soon their people will have their revenge.
Act III
Amneris spends the night before her wedding in prayer, while Aida wants to bid Radamès a final farewell. As she waits for him, her father appears. He paints a vision of a future where she, not Amneris, rules at Radamès’ side. It could happen if only she persuaded him to reveal the strategy of his troops. When Aida refuses, Amonasro reminds her of the cruelty of Radamès’ people.
When Radamès arrives, Amonasro hides. Radamès is confident that after another victory he will be able to avoid marrying Amneris. Aida dismisses this as wishful thinking and urges him to flee with her to her homeland. When he hesitates, she reproaches him. Radamès agrees to flee, though he suggests that they escape into the desert rather than to her homeland. When Aida asks which route they will take, Radamès, overcome with emotion, reveals the strategy of his troops. Amonasro exults and reveals himself as Aida’s father and the leader of the enemy forces.
Amneris and the high priest appear. Radamès is devastated: he has lost his honour and betrayed his own people. When Amonasro attempts to kill Amneris, Radamès intervenes. He urges Aida and her father to flee and surrenders himself to the high priest.
Act IV
Amonasro has been killed while fleeing, and Aida has vanished without a trace. A death sentence awaits Radamès. Amneris confesses to herself that she still loves him. She offers to save him if he promises never to see Aida again. But Radamès cannot imagine life without Aida. He remains silent before the priests’ accusations and is sentenced to be buried alive. Amneris curses the priests.
Radamès accepts his death, hoping that at least Aida is alive and happy somewhere. But she has chosen instead to be buried with him. Together they await the death that will release them from their suffering. Amneris mourns Radamès and prays for his gentle reception in heaven.
The synopsis text is from Darmstadt State Theater.
Gallery
Creative team
- Music
- Giuseppe Verdi
- Libretto
- Antonio Ghislanzoni
- Director
- Noa Naamat
- Set and Costume Design
- Bettina John
- Lighting Design
- Heiko Steuernagel
- Conductor
- Dan Ettinger, Harri Karri
Aida is a co-production with Darmstadt State Theater.
Cast
Performance-specific soloists are published in the performance listing.
Listen to Aida
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The keys to an entertaining evening
The performance takes place on our Main Stage, which has no fewer than 1,300 seats in its auditorium. Please note that the 3rd balcony is very high up. It provides an impressive view, but the front-row seats on this level may not suit those with a fear of heights. Explore the Main Stage and find out more about where to sit. You can also compare the view from different parts of the auditorium.
Price categories: Seats in the auditorium are priced according to the view of the stage and divided into eight price categories (A–H). In addition to seat location, the price is affected by the performance date and demand. Only standard-priced tickets are available in the lowest price categories (F–H).
Discounts
Discounts are available for selected productions, performances, and seats in the Stalls and the 1st and 2nd Balconies, unless otherwise indicated.
- Pensioners: €10 discount per ticket for selected seats in the Stalls and the 1st Balcony. The discount is available to all holders of the card for national pension recipients and anyone aged 65 or over.
- Students, military and non-military servicemen: 40% discount on the full ticket price.
- Children and those aged 20 and under: 40–50% discount on the full ticket price.
- Same-day tickets: A special rate of €30 per ticket is available for those aged 20 and under, students, military and non-military servicemen, the unemployed, and pensioners. The discount applies to seats in the Stalls, no earlier than 12 hours before the performance and subject to availability.
Please note that full-price and concessionary tickets for under-20s, students, and pensioners can be exchanged in our online store free of charge up to 24 hours before the performance. The value of the ticket(s) is credited to your customer account for later use.
Children and young people up to the age of 20 are eligible for a 40–50% discount on ticket prices.
Please note that children under the age of 5 are not admitted to Main Stage performances. The age recommendation for each production can be found at the top of its dedicated page.
For the best view, we recommend seats in the front Stalls or the centre of the 1st Balcony. If you’re unsure which seats would be most suitable, our customer service team will be happy to help you find the best options.
To ensure an enjoyable and memorable visit, see our Visiting with children page for more tips.
You can easily purchase accessible seats either through our online store or customer service. On the auditorium map, you can check the locations of accessible seats in the Main Stage auditorium (pdf). The accessible seats are marked with wheelchair icons to make choosing your seat easier.
Read more detailed instructions for purchasing accessible seats and ensure your visit is effortlessly enjoyable from start to finish.
The programme booklet provides background information about the production, its creators, and the story. It is published on the day of the premiere and can be purchased before the performance from the customer service desk in the Töölönlahti lobby, the sales desk at the Mannerheimintie entrance, all open counters of the Opera Restaurant, and selected members of our lobby staff. The price of the programme booklet is €7.
You can also buy the programme booklet in advance from our customer service desk or online via the Order refreshments page. See more detailed instructions here on how to purchase the programme booklet on the Order refreshments page.
The digital cast details for each opera and ballet, including the evening’s cast and creative team, are published online no later than on the day of the performance (please note that the link opens in a separate window). Cast details are also available on the displays and touch screens in the foyers, as well as under the My events tab in the mobile app.
Enhance your experience with refreshments. You can enjoy refreshments before the performance or during the interval. We recommend placing your order in advance, either through our online store or by calling our customer service. If tables are still available, online sales close no later than 24 hours before the performance.
Using the Opera&Ballet mobile app, you can order interval refreshments to a pick-up counter until shortly before the performance begins. Learn more about pick-up orders.
The Opera House is located by Töölönlahti bay. Our address is Helsinginkatu 58, which is well served by public transport.
The main entrance on the Mannerheimintie side usually opens 1.5 hours before the start of a Main Stage performance. Please make sure you arrive in good time, at least 15 minutes before the performance begins. Latecomers are only admitted after the interval so as not to disturb the performance.
How to dress for the performance? Can I wear perfume? Do I need to pay for the cloakroom? Find answers to these questions and more on our Tips for visitors page. We have put together a comprehensive guide to help make your visit to the Opera House a success.