Opera Composer Verdi's "Aida"

"Aida," an opera in four acts, was first produced in Cairo, Egypt, on Dec. 27, 1871, and was written upon a commission from the Khedive of that country. The subject of the opera was taken from a sketch, originally written in prose, by the director of the Museum at Boulak. The sketch was rendered into French verse by M. Camille de Locle and then translated into Italian for Verdi by Sig. A. Ghizlandoni.
 
"Aida" was the last opera Verdi composed and is notable for his departure from the conventional Italian forms and the partial surrender he has made to the constantly increasing influence of the so-called music of the future. The subject is entirely Egyptian and the music is full of Oriental color.

"Aida" Cast and Characters

"Aida" originally premiered with the following cast and characters:
  • Aida: Antonietta Anastasi-Pozzoni
  • The king of Egypt: Tommaso Costa
  • Amneris: Eleonora Grossi
  • Rhadames: Pietro Mongini
  • Amonasro: Francesco Stellar
  • Ramfis: Paolo Medini
  • A messenger: Luigi Stecchi-Bottardi
  • Voice of a priestess: Marietta Allievi

Plot Summary: Act One

The action of "Aida" passes in Memphis and Thebes, and the period is in the time of the pharaohs. Aida, the heroine, is a slave, daughter of Amonasro, the king of Ethiopia. At the opening of the opera, Aida is in captivity among the Egyptians.
 
A secret attachment exists between Aida and Rhadames, a young Egyptian warrior who is also loved by Amneris, daughter of the sovereign of Egypt. The latter suspects that she has a rival but does not discover her until Rhadames returns victorious from an expedition against the rebellious Amonasro, who has brought back a prisoner.

Plot Synopsis: Act Two

The second act opens with a scene between Amneris and Aida, in which the princess wrestles the secret from the slave by pretending that Rhadames has been killed.
 
The truth is still further revealed when Rhadames pleads with the king to spare the lives of the captives. The latter agrees to release all but Aida and Amonasro and bestows the hand of Amneris upon the unwilling conqueror. The act closes amid general jubilation.

Plot Summary: Act Three

Acting upon Amonasro's admonitions, Aida influences Rhadames to flee from Egypt and promote the cause of her father.

The lovers are overheard by Amneris and Ramfis, the high priest. The princess, with all the fury of a woman scorned, denounces Rhadames as a traitor. He is tried for treason and condemned to be buried alive in the vaults under the temple of the god Phtah.

Pardon is offered him if he will accept the hand of Amneris, but he refuses and descends to the tomb, where he finds Aida awaiting him. The stones are sealed above them and the lovers are united in death, while Amneris, heart-broken over the tragedy her jealousy has caused, kneels in prayer before their sepulcher.

Resources

Upton, George (1897). The Standard Operas: Their Plots, Their Music, and Their Composersa Handbook. Chicago: A. C. McClurg and Company.