Show Synopsis:
Ethiopia is preparing to attack Egypt, and Radames wants to beat them so that Princess Amneris?s slave Aida will be free and they can marry. Amneris loves Radames and does not want to see him go. Aida loves Ethiopia and her father, King Amonasro but also loves Radames, and prays to the gods for mercy. Egypt defeats Ethiopia and Amneris tricks Aida into revealing her feelings for Radames. Radames returns, along with captured Ethiopians, including King Amonasro, who remains imprisoned although all the other Ethiopians go free thanks to Radames. Radames and Amneris are betrothed against Radames?s will, but Radames and Aida keep seeing each other secretly. Amonasro asks Aida to find out how the Egyptians will invade Ethiopia, and Radames reveals that secret after making plans with Aida to run away together. High Priest Ramfis and Amneris overhear Radames and he surrenders to them so that Aida and Amonasro can escape. Amneris offers to save him from being buried alive if he will marry her, but he remains loyal to Aida and goes to the vault to die. Aida has hidden away there so that they can die together, and Amneris mourns for Radames.

Character:
Radames, the handsome and strong Captain of the Guards; loves his country but will do anything for Aida.

Song Context:
Radames hopes that he is going out into the war zone to command an army in the war with the Ethiopians because he is in love with Aida and wants to free her so she can marry him.	

Fun Facts:
1. Giuseppe Verdi composed this opera based on an outline for a story that August Mariette, founder of the Cairo Museum, sent him, and Italian poetry written by Antonio Ghislanzoni. It was to satisfy a request of Ismail Pasha, Khedive of Egypt. 
2. This opera was meant to be the premier production for the Cairo Opera, but it was not finished in time, so Verdi?s Rigoletto opened it instead. 
3. The rituals and dance of pagan religion inspired many aspects of this opera for Verdi.