THE MET: LIVE IN HD SEASON 10 – GIUSEPPE VERDI’S “AIDA”

PRESENTED BY:

The Cultural Center of the Philippines

with the Metropolitan Opera of New York, the

Filipinas Opera Society Foundation, Inc. and

Ayala Malls Cinemas

DATE/ TIME/ VENUE:

May 6, 2025 | 5:30 PM

CCP @ Ayala Malls Cinemas

Glorietta 4 Cinema 1, Makati City

DESCRIPTION:

Soprano Angel Blue makes her highly anticipated Met role debut as Aida, the Ethiopian princess torn between love and duty, in Michael Mayer’s stunning new production, which narrates a romance while unearthing faded scenery with historic monuments and animated projections. Conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, it features Judit Kutasi and Elīna Garanča as Amneris and leading tenors Piotr Beczała, SeokJong Baek, and Brian Jagde as Radamès. The all-star cast also includes Quinn Kelsey, Amartuvshin Enkhbat, Roman Burdenko, Dmitry Belosselskiy, Alexander Vinogradov, and Morris Robinson. Don’t miss this breathtaking new production. Experience the grandeur of Aida!

The Met: Live in HD Season 10 is a series of screenings of the latest performances by the Metropolitan Opera of New York, delivered in high-definition video and Dolby Surround Sound.

TICKET INFORMATION:

Ticket Price:

Php 350 – Regular Price

Php 100 – Students

Visit the ticket booth or book your tickets at www.sureseats.com.

 SYNOPSIS:

“Aida” by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni

World premiere: Cairo Opera House, 1871.

Estimated Running Time: 3 hrs 15 min

 ACT I

Egypt, during the reign of the pharaohs. 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. But Amneris also loves Radamès and is jealous of Aida, whom she suspects of being her rival for Radamès’s affection. A messenger brings news that the Ethiopians are advancing. The King names Radamès to lead the army, and all prepare for war. Left alone, Aida is torn between her love for Radamès and loyalty to her native country, where her father, Amonasro, is king.

In the temple of Vulcan, the priests consecrate Radamès to the service of the god Ptah. Ramfis orders Radamès to protect the homeland.

ACT II

Ethiopia has been defeated, and in her chambers, Amneris waits for the triumphant return of Radamès. Alone with Aida, she pretends that Radamès has fallen in battle, then says that he is still alive. Aida’s reactions leave no doubt that she loves Radamès. Amneris is certain that she will defeat her rival.

At the city gates, the King and Amneris observe the victory celebrations and praise Radamès’s triumph. Soldiers lead in the captured Ethiopians, among them Amonasro, who signals his daughter not to reveal his identity as king. Amonasro’s eloquent plea for mercy impresses Radamès, and the warrior asks that the order for the prisoners to be executed be overruled and that they be freed instead. The King grants his request but keeps Amonasro in custody. He declares that as a victor’s reward, Radamès will have Amneris’s hand in marriage.

ACT III

On the eve of Amneris’s wedding, Ramfis and Amneris pray in a temple on the banks of the Nile. Nearby, Aida is waiting for Radamès, lost in thoughts of her homeland. Suddenly, Amonasro appears. Appealing to Aida’s sense of duty, he makes her promise to discover from Radamès which route the Egyptian army will take to invade Ethiopia. Amonasro hides as Radamès arrives. He and Aida dream about their future life together, and Aida convinces him to run away with her. Aida asks him about his army’s route, and just as he reveals the secret, Amonasro emerges from his hiding place. Realizing what he has done, Radamès is horrified. Aida and Amonasro try to calm him when Ramfis and Amneris emerge from the temple. Father and daughter are able to escape, but Radamès surrenders himself to the high priest’s guards.

ACT IV

Radamès awaits trial as a traitor, believing Aida to be dead. Amneris summons him, but even after he learns that Aida has survived, he rejects Amneris’s offer to save him if he gives up his lover. Brought before the priests, Radamès refuses to answer their accusations, and they condemn him to be entombed alive. Amneris begs for mercy, but the judges will not change their verdict.

Aida has hidden in the vault to share Radamès’s fate. They express their love for the last time while Amneris, in the temple above, prays for peace.