Having reassured Aida of his love for her, Radames reveals the Egyptian army’s intentions, which the emerging Amonasro now says he will thwart. Surprisingly, Amonasro appears and soon forces his daughter to make her amour disclose Egypt’s next military plans. Aida arrives for a secret meeting with Radames and expresses her abiding fears. On the banks of the Nile, Ramfis takes Amneris, on the eve of her wedding, to a sacred temple. Radames asks for the prisoners to be freed the King concurs and awards his lieutenant his daughter’s hand in marriage, and the scene ends with a reinstatement of its triumphal opening anthems. Amonasro pleads with the Egyptian king for mercy to his people but the Priests and Amneris call for their death. Ethiopian prisoners are led in and Aida recognizes her father Amonasro amongst them. He triumphantly enters Amneris presents him with a wreath and the king offers him any prize he chooses.
Scene 2: At the gateway to Thebes, the Egyptians celebrate Radames’ recent military victories. Aida’s response reveals the truth and, although Aida begs Amneris to show her mercy, her mistress is still bent on revenge.
Scene 1: In Amneris’s apartments, the Egyptian princess is determined to test her suspicions and falsely announces to her slave that Radames is dead. Scene 2: In the Temple of Vulcan at Memphis, the High Priest Ramfis ordains Radames on his newly received mission. The Egyptians’ king enters and, learning of recent Ethiopian advances, appoints Radames as commander-in-chief and launches into patriotic song whilst Aida is left to muse over the conflicting demands of her allegiance to Radames and her homeland. But the king’s daughter, Amneris, also shows her love for Radames, whilst suspecting his affections lie towards Aida. Scene 1: In a hall in the royal palace, Radames longs to be asked to lead the Egyptian forces, also revealing that his desire for glory has been inspired by his love for the slave girl, Aida. DURING A LONG WAR WITH NEIGHBOURING ETHIOPIA, THE ETHIOPIAN PRINCESS AIDA HAS BEEN CAPTURED AND TAKEN TO MEMPHIS TO ACT AS SLAVE TO AMNERIS, DAUGHTER OF THE PHARAOH, WHILST HER FATHER AMONASRO HAS MOUNTED A COUNTER-INVASION TO TRY TO RESCUE HER. BEFORE THE OPERA BEGINS: THE ACTION TAKES PLACE IN ANCIENT EGYPT AT THE TIME OF THE PHARAOHS.
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