Opera Plots I - MDC Faculty Home Pages

in this beautiful and charming lady he recognises Tatiana, now developed into a brilliant lady of
society. The sentimental girl has grown into a sympathetic and high-souled woman, and Onegin
now falls deeply in love with her, and is grieved when she merely speaks to him in cold and polite
tones. He, however, in his turn, cannot control his passion, and later on he seeks an opportunity of
entering the Princesss boudoir, where he confesses his love and begs her to respond. Tatiana is
strongly tempted, for her love for him has not altered, in spite of her pretended coldness; but she
has a deep regard and respect for her husband, and she firmly declares that she will not forsake
him. Finally Onegins passionate outpourings and entreaties are more than she can bear, and again
utterly refusing to accept his love, she rushes away. Onegin is in despair on thus realising that the
love he craves for, and which was once so generously offered to him, and which he then despised,
is now lost to him for ever; and as the curtain falls he shoots himself.
171. AÏDA
Opera in Four Acts Guiseppe Verdi
Libretto Antonio Ghislanzoni
First Produced Cairo, December, 1871
Chief Characters Aïda, Amneris, Radames, Amonasro (King ot Ethiopia), Ramphis (High Priest of
Isis), The King of Egypt
THE scene is laid in Memphis and Thebes in the time of the Pharaohs. Aïda, daughter of
Amonasro, King of Ethiopia, has fallen into the hands of the Egyptians, and is given as a slave to
Amneris, the proud Princess of Egypt. She attracts the attention of the young military commander,
Radames, who falls in love with her, and whose affection she returns. Amneris also has conceived
a violent passion for Radames, who, however, only treats her with cold respect; and she becomes
jealous of Aïda when she suspects that he loves the new slave. Radames heads a campaign against
the Ethiopians, who are vanquished, and amongst the captives brought to Memphis is Amonasro,
King of Ethiopia, who passes himself off as a plain officer. Radames, on his return, i received with
acclamation; and the King of Egypt as a reward, bestows upon him the hand of hi daughter,
Amneris. Radames, however, has though for no one but Aïda, whom he meets secretly at night and
Amonasro, being allowed considerable liberty and discovering the love of his daughter for th
young commander, persuades her to get information from him as to the plan of war, which he
hopes t find means to despatch to his own general. Ramphis the High Priest of Isis, overhears this
conversation between the lovers; and, issuing forth with th guards, he arrests Radames, who is
now accused c high treason, and condemned to death by being buried alive in a tomb beneath the
temple of the god Ptah. Amneris, in her mad jealousy, has also joined in the denunciation of
Radames; but now eager to save his life, she offers to secure his pardon if he wil wed with her and
renounce Aïda. Radames refuse to give up his beloved one; and, consequently, he i compelled to
face his awful doom. As he is walled up in the tomb, however, he finds the faithful Aïda a his side;
for she has crept within, unnoticed, preferring to die with him rather than live on without his love.
The lovers, therefore, calmly await death in each others arms; whilst Amneris, now full on of
remorse, sinks heartbroken beside the tomb.
172. DON CARLOS