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Metropolitan Opera: 'Aida'

Act II, Scene 2 of Verdi's "Aida." Photo: Ken Howard / Met Opera
Act II, Scene 2 of Verdi's "Aida." Photo: Ken Howard / Met Opera

On Saturday at 1 p.m., hear the Metropolitan Opera's broadcast of Giuseppe Verdi's "Aida" on Classical IPR.

In a remarkable career spanning six decades in the theater, Giuseppe Verdi composed 26 operas, at least half of which are at the core of today’s repertoire. His role in Italy’s cultural and political development has made him an icon in his native country.

The story of "Aida" is thought to be the creation of Auguste Mariette, an extraordinary French archaeologist who was the founder of the Egyptian Museum of Cairo. The opera's librettist, Antonio Ghislanzoni, was a novelist and poet as well as the creator of some 85 libretti.

From the Met: "At the royal palace in Memphis, the high priest Ramfis tells the warrior Radamès that Ethiopia is preparing another attack against Egypt. Radamès hopes to command the Egyptian army. He is in love with Aida, the Ethiopian slave of Princess Amneris, the King’s daughter, and he believes that victory in the war would enable him to free and marry her."

Read the synopsis and program guide from the Metropolitan Opera.

Composer: Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Antonio Ghislanzoni

CAST:

Ramfis: Morris Robinson

Radamès: Piotr Beczała

Amneris: Judit Kutasi

Aida: Angel Blue

King: Harold Wilson

Messenger: Yongzhao Yu

Priestess: Amanda Batista

Amonasro: Quinn Kelse