Aida

In the midst of a society dealing with the aftermath of war and its resurgence, director Damiano Michieletto and musical director Daniele Rustioni narrate the intimate love triangle between Aida, Radamès and Amneris.

A group of people seek shelter in devastated places that once brought joy and lightness. Destruction encroaches further, determining life, both external and internal. As commander Radamès must assume responsibility, a burden he is not equipped for. When the famous triumphal march celebrates victory, the images of death and war will not leave him, he is a traumatized man. The two women are also scarred by war and displacement. For Aida the situation means the loss of her roots, her family and the destruction of her love. Amneris also dreams of a different future. And in the end, the question is: What might all their lives have been without war?

Director Damiano Michieletto and set designer Paolo Fantin have been working together since their collaboration for the Graz Ring Award in 2004. Costume designer Carla Teti has also been part of the team since 2004. Together they have created works for opera houses in Italy, the Netherlands, Zurich, London, Salzburg, Vienna, Paris and Berlin. Lighting designer Alessandro Carletti has also been part of Michieletto's creative circle since 2008.

At the podium of the new Aida production is Milan's Daniele Rustioni, a specialist in the Italian repertoire that has already taken him to the world's great opera houses – from New York to Milan and beyond. In Munich, he has been Principal Guest conductor since 2021, where he has staged both productions of works by Verdi, Puccini and Berlioz and various concerts.

ACT ONE
The high priest Ramfis is told that the Ethiopians want to go to war against Egypt again. He consults with the commander Radamès. He hopes to lead the army against the enemy and is already warming to the prospect of glory - and at the same time to the thought of the Ethiopian slave girl Aida, whom he loves and who returns his love. His dreamy gaze does not escape the king's daughter Amneris, who is in love with Radamès. She has observed at close quarters how confused they both are in each other's presence and suspects that Aida has turned into her rival. Accompanied by his entourage, the king appears and receives a messenger who reports that the Ethiopians, led by their king Amonasro, have invaded the Nile Valley. When Aida hears her father's name, she flinches as everyone talks of war. The king announces that the goddess Isis has chosen Radamès to lead the Egyptians. Radamès proudly and joyfully hears how Amneris and the others wish him absolute victory. Alone again, Aida despairs at the inner conflict she now faces: if Radamès wins, her father and her people will be subjugated. If he is defeated, however, she will lose the man she loves forever. During a dedication ceremony for Radamès, Ramfis invokes the god Ptah, in whose power he places the fate of the Egyptian troops.

ACT TWO
In anticipation of the return of the victorious Egyptian army, Amneris convinces Aida that Radamès has been killed in battle. Aida's despair finally confirms to Amneris that her suspicions were well-founded. Furious, she vows revenge and forces the slave to attend the forthcoming triumphal procession.
In the presence of the king, the people cheer the parade of the victorious soldiers. Radamès is praised as the saviour of the fatherland, and the king wishes to fulfil his every wish in gratitude. The Ethiopian prisoners are brought in. Among them, Aida sees her father, the king of the Ethiopians, but no one else recognises him. Amonasro explains that his king has fallen in battle and asks for leniency. Ramfis and the other priests, however, demand that no mercy be shown. Radamès then speaks up and asks that the prisoners be given their freedom. The king agrees, but keeps Aida and her father as hostages and holds out the prospect of his daughter's hand in marriage to the commander.

ACT THREE
The night before her wedding, Amneris and Ramfis go to the temple to pray. At the same time, Aida waits for Radamès, who has asked to see her. While she waits for her lover and thinks longingly of her lost homeland, Amonasro appears, having realised that his daughter has feelings for one of her enemies. The Ethiopian king promises her a return home and a happy future if she finds out which path the Egyptian troops will take. Aida initially resists this, but agrees after her father threatens to disown her. Amonasro goes into hiding, then Radamès appears. Another war is imminent: if Radamès succeeds in winning another victory here, he could finally ask the king for Aida's hand in marriage. But Aida suggests that they flee to Ethiopia together, where a happy life awaits them both. But how do they escape the watchful eyes of the army? Radamès confides to Aida that the Napata Gorge is still unguarded until the next day. At this moment, Amonasro comes out of hiding and reveals himself to be the king of the Ethiopians. Radamès now realises that he has been betrayed and has just involuntarily betrayed his fatherland. When Amneris and Ramfis join them, Amonasro wants to kill the Egyptian princess, but is prevented from doing so by Radamès and finally flees with Aida. The general falls into the hands of the high priest.

ACT FOUR
In an attempt to save Radamès, Amneris has him brought before the guards and begs him to defend himself in court. But since Radamès believes Aida is dead, he is determined to die. However, Amneris reveals to him that Aida is alive and promises him life if he renounces her. However, he refuses. After the trial has begun, Radamès renounces his defence and is sentenced to be buried alive. Amneris pleads in vain for leniency for him until she desperately curses the priests.
Walled up in an underground dungeon, Radamès thinks of his lover again. Something moves in the darkness of the vault: it is Aida, who has managed to enter the prison unnoticed in order to die with her lover. The two meet their end in a tender embrace, while Amneris prays for Radamès' soul on top of the tomb.