Verdi’s grand opera, Aida, received its first performance on December 24, 1871 at the Khedival Opera House in Cairo. Its title character is the Ethiopian princess who has been captured by the Egyptians. Despite her captivity, she is the beloved of the Egyptian General, Radamès, much to the dismay of the jealous Amneris. This triangle is set in a political background. In the aria “O patria mia,” Aida reveals her torment created by her love of her country standing in conflict with her love for Radamès.

Program Note by David B. Levy, ©2026

Original Text: 

Qui Radamès verrà!... Che vorrà dirmi?

Io tremo... Ah! se tu vieni

A recarmi, o crudel, l'ultimo addio

Del Nilo i cupi vortici

Mi daran tomba... e pace forse, e oblio

O patria mia, mai più ti revedrò!

O cieli azzurri, o dolci aure native

Dove sereno il nio mattin brillò

O verdi colli, o profumate rive

O patria mia, mai più ti revedrò!

O fresche valli, o queto asil beato

Che un dì promesso dall'amor mi fu;

Or che d'amore il sogno è dileguato

O patria mia, non ti vedrò mai più!

Translation: 

Here Radames will come!...what will he want to tell me?

Ah! If you come to bid me, 

oh cruel one, the last farewell,

the dark eddies of the Nile will give me a grave, perhaps peace and forgetfulness.

Oh, country mine, never again will I see you!

Oh skies blue, oh gentle breezes native,

Where the morning of my life shone in serenity…

Oh green hills… oh perfumed shores…

Oh country mine, never again will I see you! No…never again!

Oh cool valleys, oh quiet refuge

That were lovingly promised ot me one day, long ago…

Now the dream of love has vanished…

Oh my homeland, I won’t see you ever again!