The opera Aida, in four acts to an Italian libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni and based on a scenario written by French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette and commissioned by the Khedive Ismail Pasha, was performed first at the Khedivial Opera House in Cairo on 24 December 1871.

The opera was thereafter performed on a number of stages in Egypt, including at the new Cairo Opera House, against the backdrop of the Deir Al-Bahari Temple in Luxor, and in front of Sphinx in Giza.

This year the opera opens in the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House.

The production, directed by Abdel Moneim Kamel, includes a number of companies: Cairo Opera Company, Cairo Opera Ballet Company, a capella choir and the Cairo Opera Choir.

The Cairo Opera Orchestra will be conducted by Nayer Nagui.

26, 27, 29, 30 and 31 January at 8pm.

Cairo Opera House Main Hall