Gian Paolo Corradi

Verdi's most famous opera is performed at the Arena of Verona in Italy. Egypt and Ethiopia are at war. Radames is appointed commander of the Egyptian forces by the King, whose daughter, Amneris, loves Radames. It is in fact Amneris' Ethiopian slave Aida whom Radames loves. Ramades wins the war against the Ethiopians, capturing Aida's father Amonasro in the process. On his return to Egypt he faces a choice between marrying Amneris or betraying his country through his love for Aida. This production is conducted by Anton Guadagno and features performances by Maria Chiara, Fiorenza Cossotto and Nicola Martinucci.

tt0253843. Il Trovatore (1985) Verona. Verdi / Italian. Reynald Giovaninetti conducts the Orchestra of the Arena di Verona in a performance of Verdi's 'Il Trovatore'. The international cast includes Giorgio Zancanaro and Rosalind Plowright. The Count Di Luna believes that his younger brother was murdered years before by a vengeful gypsy, but still hopes that he may be alive. When he attempts to court the beautiful Leonora, he is enraged to discover that she has a lover - the troubadour, Manrico. Manrico and the Count duel, and afterwards Manrico reveals to Azucena, the woman he believes to be his mother, that when he had the opportunity to kill the Count he felt something holding him back.