Aida, an Ethiopian princess held in captivity as a slave to the Egyptian Princess Amneris, is torn between loyalty to her homeland and her feelings for Radames, an Egyptian with whom she has fallen in love and who loves her in return. Radames is appointed commander of the Egyptian army by the King, and is sent off to fight the Ethiopian invasion. His hope is that if he is victorious, he can win Aida in marriage as a reward. Amneris, jealous by nature, is suspicious of Aida, as she, too, is in love with Radames. Radames returns to Egypt, victorious, bringing with him a large group of Ethiopian prisoners. Among them is Amonasro, Aida’s father, the Ethiopian King, who has assumed leadership of the forces. Although Aida and he recognize each other, Amonasro has hidden his identity and they are discreet. Amonasro urges Aida, for the sake of her homeland, to seduce Radames and obtain the Egyptians’ battle plans, which she does successfully, but with great sorrow at compromising her beloved. Amneris discovers that Radames has given the secret plans to Aida, and Radames is sentenced to be buried alive as a traitor. Aida, heartsick, makes the ultimate sacrifice and hides inside the tomb to die alongside Radames.

A new production designed by Omaha artist Catherine Ferguson