show category: opera

OPERA APERTA INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL 2026

Opera performance presented by the Romanian National Opera in Cluj-Napoca – Powered by ING

Opera in four acts, on a libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni, after a story by Auguste Mariette

In the late 1860s, Giuseppe Verdi was facing increasing difficulties in finding suitable librettos for his new works. A particularly active collaborator in this process was the French librettist and impresario Camille Du Locle, with whom Verdi had previously worked on Don Carlos. Du Locle offered the composer a series of thematic suggestions, ranging from comic subjects that would have continued the tradition opened by Un ballo in maschera, to grand themes that could be adapted to the conventions of grand opera.

A decisive moment came in early 1870, when Du Locle presented Verdi with a scenario written by the archaeologist and Egyptologist Auguste Mariette, based on a fictional story set in ancient Egypt. Although, a year earlier, Verdi had refused to compose an inaugural hymn for the opening festivities of the Suez Canal, he accepted this new proposal, intended for the inauguration of the new Cairo Opera House. For the libretto, Verdi chose Antonio Ghislanzoni, with whom he had previously collaborated on the revision of La forza del destino.

The creative process continued throughout 1870, with Verdi exercising his usual close control over the shaping of the libretto, intervening even in matters of detail such as the length and wording of the verses. Aida eventually premiered in Cairo at the end of 1871, under the baton of Giovanni Bottesini. The cast included Eleonora Grossi as Amneris, Antonietta Anastasi-Pozzoni as Aida, Pietro Mongini as Radamès, and Francesco Steller as Amonasro, and the performance enjoyed considerable success.

Verdi subsequently paid particular attention to the Italian premiere, held at Teatro alla Scala in Milan. He made small revisions to the score and carefully supervised the rehearsals of a cast selected with great care. This second performance, conducted by Franco Faccio, took place on 8 February 1872 and featured Maria Waldmann as Amneris, Teresa Stolz as Aida, Giuseppe Fancelli as Radamès, and Francesco Pandolfini as Amonasro.

Although the performance was enthusiastically received by the audience, some critical voices pointed to passages they considered conventional or outdated. For this reason, Verdi remained cautious about authorising further performances in Italy, insisting on the need for a rigorous staging. Nevertheless, from the 1870s onward, Aida firmly established itself in the international operatic repertoire, a status it has retained to this day.

The subject of the opera brings together Romantic themes such as the struggle for freedom and love that defies death. The action centres on Aida, an enslaved woman who is in fact an Ethiopian princess, and the warrior Radamès, whose love survives despite constant political threats and the jealousy of Princess Amneris. Their story unfolds against the exotic background of ancient Egypt.

The performance is sung in Italian, with Romanian surtitles.

Please note that the performance includes intense lighting effects, sudden changes of light, and special effects, which may be uncomfortable for some audience members.

Recommended age: 12+

The performance has two intervals and is expected to end around midnight.

The International Opera Aperta Festival is organised with the support of the Ministry of Culture, the Cluj-Napoca City Hall, the Cluj-Napoca Local Council, the Cluj County Council, and the “Opera 2 You” Association.