Photo Gallery: Aida Act 4

Gloria all'Egitto they say! Aida's triumph scene can be seen as one of the most successful and celebrated culture-branding exercises ever, making Egyptology even more fashionable, palatable and relatable in popular culture. Here's how Franco Zeffirelli reimagined it in his 2001 Busseto version, retaken at the Teatru tal-Opra Aurora in Gozo, on Saturday 15th October. Moveo Dance company earned their merited applauses. Raul Ivaldi brought the artists in the role with make-up, hair and wigs. Debbie Portelli and Sarah Camilleri saw to the throngs of chorus members and auxiliaries. Additional costumes designed by Vivien Hewitt, produced by the Teatru tal-Opra Aurora Wardrobe, under the direction of Celine Debrincat (wardrobe mistress), Marlene Portelli (premiere seamstress), Sunta Azzopardi, Lora Galea and the rest of the sartorial team.

24 Oct

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Act 4 of Aida brings the battle between religious orthodoxy and mercy, compassion and love to a pinnacle. Amneris, who sends her lover to his tomb because of unrequited love, now has a change of heart and wants to spare him, but the ministers do not budge. In her anguish and anger, Verdi and Ghislanzoni put the damning words on her mouth: “E si chiaman ministri del ciel!” (And they call themselves, ministers of the heaven).

Shots of Act 4, as designed by Franco Zeffirelli and put together by Teddy Mizzi and his team.

Photos by David Agius, Hush Studios

Aida, Act 4: in front of the tomb.
Amneris confronts Radames one last time.