Music Prelude to Act I -- Long ago in the faraway land of Ethiopia -- Music: "Celeste Aïda" (sung by Radames) -- Radames was deep in thought -- Music: Arrival of the Pharoah -- A Messenger came forward to give his report -- Music: "Ritorna vincitor!" (sung by Aïda) -- That night, the halls of the temple rang Music: "Possente, possente Ftha ̀(sung by high priestess, priestesses and priests) -- Music: Sacred dance of the priestesses -- With Radames gone, time passed slowly for Aïda -- Amneris sat before her mirror Music: "Chi mai fra gl'inni e i plausi" (sung by slaves and Amneris) -- Yet despite her vanity, she secretly burned with jealously -- Flags flew, and the entire city gathered to see the grand spectacle Music: Triumphal march -- The Handsome warrior dismounted and knelt before the royal throne -- It was the eve of the great wedding Music: the Nile by moonlight (prelude to Act III) -- Aïda sadly watched the moonlit river Music: "O patria mis" (sung by Aïda) -- Suddenly she heard Radames approach -- Music: "Rivedrai le foreste imbalsamate ... in armi ora si desta il popol nostro ... Padre! a costoro sciava non sono" (sung by Amonasro and Aïda) -- When Radames finally came, he was breatless with love -- The Treason of Radmanes shocked and infuriated all of Egypt -- Music: "Radamès, Radamès, Radamès!" (sung by Ramfis, priests and Amneris) -- "Traitor! traitor!" the High Priest, Ramfis, shouted again and again -- Music: "La fatal petra sovra me si chiuse ... presago il core della tua condanna ... Vedi? di norte l'angelo ... O terra addio" (sung by Radames, Aïda, priests, priestesses and Amneris.
Note
The story of Verdi's opera with musical selections ; sung in Italian.
Event (note)
Music recorded in July 1970, in Walthamstow Town Hall, London ; spoken word recorded May 1999.