Lyric Opera 2023-2024 Issue 7 - Aida

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 20 ACT I Radamès, an army officer, hopes to be chosen to lead his country to victory. If he can win the war, he believes he will be allowed to marry Aida who is a captive from the enemy. Princess Amneris, who loves Radamès, notices that he has feelings for Aida, which incites her jealousy. The King arrives with his army and ministers. A messenger brings news of an imminent invasion. Radamès is announced as the chosen commander. The crowd expresses hope for his victorious return. Aida, too, is caught up in the battle cry; but then she berates herself for having called for the defeat of her own people. Divided between loyalty to her country and her love for Radamès, she asks the gods for strength. ACT II Radamès and his troops have won the war. Amneris, still tormented by doubt and jealousy, resolves to question Aida. She manages to trick Aida into revealing her love for Radamès; furious, Amneris tells Aida to give up all hope of being with him. The people celebrate the return of the victorious army. Radamès asks that the prisoners of war be brought in; among them, Aida recognizes her father, Amonasro. Hiding his identity as king of his nation, he pleads for the lives of his people. Radamès asks that the prisoners be freed. The high priest Ramfis, warning of the consequences, succeeds in having Aida and her father retained as hostages. Amneris’s father, the King, rewards Radamès with her hand in marriage. INTERMISSION PRODUCTION SPONSORS Anonymous Donor The Julius Frankel Foundation Mary Patricia Gannon Trust Mr.° and Mrs.William C.Vance Liz Stiffel Alice & John Butler + H. Gael Neeson + Sylvia Neil & Daniel Fischel + Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation + ° Deceased + Enrique Circle Members Washington National Opera, San Francisco Opera, Seattle Opera and Minnesota Opera Co-Production. Scenery construction by Bay Productions Costumes fabricated by the San Francisco Opera Costume Shop Additional costumes by Laura Whitlock, The Costume Shop,Vicky Neufeld, Minnesota Opera Costume Shop, Krostyne Studio and Lara Berich Projected titles design by Kelley Rourke originally for The Glimmerglass Festival. Lyric Opera of Chicago gratefully acknowledges the support of the NIB Foundation Italian Opera Endowed Chair and the Guild Board of Directors Verdi Endowed Chair. Lyric Opera of Chicago thanks its Official Airline,American Airlines. Lyric Opera of Chicago wishes to thank its preferred physical therapy provider, Athletico. APPROXIMATE TIMINGS This production will be performed with one intermission. Acts I & II 1 hour 20 minutes Intermission 30 minutes Acts III & IV 1 hour 10 minutes TOTAL 3 hours LYRIC’S 2023/24 SEASON IS PRESENTED BY Julie & Roger Baskes Synopsis TIME | The past