Aida is a four-act melodrama opera. Composed by Giuseppe Verdi (October 9/10, 1813 – January 27, 1901), libretto is written by Antonio Ghislanzoni, after a scenario by French Auguste Mariette and a French prose version by Camille du Locle. It was composer by Verdi between 1870-1871. The first performance was on December 24, 1871, Opera House, Cairo, Italy, and on February 8, 1872, in La Scala, Milan.
Aida was commissioned by Ismail Pasha, Khedive of Egypt. Production was delayed by the Franco-Prussian war and Giuseppe Verdi donated a portion of his considerable fee to the victims of the siege of Paris. Today, Verdi's Aida is as popular as ever all over the world, including many recordings. Act one has some famous and best-loved scenes.
Cast of Characters in Opera Aida
- Aida, Ethiopian princess (soprano)
- The King of Egypt (bass)
- Amneris, the king's daughter (mezzo-soprano)
- Radames, Captain of the Guard (tenor)
- Amonasro, King of Ethiopia (baritone)
- Ramfis, high-priest (bass)
- A Messenger (tenor)
- Voice of a Priestess (soprano)
Plot Summary / Synopsis
Act I
Aida, daughter of the Ethiopian King Amonasro, is enslaved in Egypt. Since her capture, she has fallen in love with Radames, a young warrior and captain of the guard, who feels the same way for her. Amneris, the Egyptian king's daughter, is also in love with Radames. When news breaks that the Ethiopians, led by King Amonasro, are invading Egypt, Radames is chosen to lead the Egyptians into battle. He is also strongly urged by Amneris to do so. Aida, is torn between her love for Radames and for her loyalty to her father.
Act II
The Ethiopians are defeated. Amneris uses this as an opportunity to find out whether Aida is her rival to Radames's affection as she strongly suspects. Feigning sympathy with Aida for the Ethiopian's defeat, she pretends that Radames has been killed. Aida's reaction tells her all she wants to know. Then follows the ever-famous "Triumphal Entry" scene as Radames returns victorious, leading the Ethiopian captives, among them is Amonasro, Aida's father. The Egyptian king grants Radames anything he wishes. Out of his love for Aida, he asks for the captives to be released. His wish was granted by the king of Egypt but Aida and Amonasro remain as hostages to ensure that the Ethiopians do not seek revenge. Furthermore, as a reward, the king gives the hand of his daughter Amneris to Radames.
Act III
Aida comes to the banks of the Nile for a last meeting with Radames on the evening before his wedding. Aida's father appears and persuades her to obtain strategic information from Radames how they can escape. Radames agrees to run away with Aida and tells her the position of the guards they must avoid. Amneris and the priest emerge from the temple, Aida and her father flee, and Radames allows himself to be taken prisoner.
Act IV
Amneris, still in love with Radames, pleads with the priests to show mercy to him but their sentence is that he shall be buried alive. Aida actually has hidden herself in the crypt to die with him. They accept their terrible fate, bid farewell to life's torment and sorrows, while they await their death. Above their tomb, Amneris weeps and prays while the priests continue their joyous celebrations.
Other than the more popular La Traviata, Otello, and Nabucco, readers may want to check out these other operas by Verdi: La Battaglia di Legnano and Don Carlo.
Sources:
Concise Guide to Opera, edited by Amanda Holden, Penguin (2005)
The Da Capo Opera Manual by Nicholas Ivor Martin, Da Capo Press (1997)
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