Aida, acknowledged to be Verdi's most magnificent and spectacular work, is a striking Egyptian opera with real Italian roots.

The archaeologist credited with discovering the Sphinx, August Mariertte, pursued the Turkish governor of Egypt to commission an ‘Egyptian opera' from Verdi. Hugely dramatic and musically exciting, Aida was an immediate success and is now performed all over the world.

The Story of an Ethiopian slave girl and her secret Egyptian lover, who struggled with the conflicts of love over duty, has delighted millions since its first performance.

This new production of Aida reunites the WNO creative team responsible for the company's hugely successful epic, Don Carlos, with Dennis O'Neill (except 21 June) - the Welsh tenor who is widely acknowledged to be one of the world's greatest Verdian singers (and winner of the Verdi medal). 

Wales Millennium Centre: Tuesday 27 & Saturday 31 May; Tuesday 3, Saturday 7 & Saturday 14 June at 7.15pm. Aida is sold out in Cardiff.

Birmingham Hippodrome: Tuesday 17 & Saturday 21 June at 7.15pm To book tickets click here