Briefly about "Aida": the opera was commissioned by the Egyptian government for the Italian Opera Theater in Cairo on the occasion of the opening of the Suez Canal. The short plot was written by Egyptologist A. Mariette, based on a story found in ancient Egyptian sources. A more extensive text was written by the director of the Paris Opera Comique C. du Locle, according to which the libretto of the opera was created. After being discontinued after 1871 December 24 at the premiere in Cairo, at the alla Scala theater, "Aida" is also the biggest triumph. AFTER the second act, Verdi is presented with a gold-encrusted ivory conductor's baton (babuto) by Milanese nobility. The composer received a standing ovation 32 times. The main idea of the opera is revealed in the prelude played by the orchestra. It features two main themes: the theme of Aida (love) and the theme of the priests, who embody the drama of love and duty. Driven by her duty to the freedom of her homeland, Aida forces her lover to betray her homeland. Magi - Egyptian wisdom and the pillar of the state. Radames realizes the validity of his punishment and rejects Amner's love and promise of freedom in exchange for Aida. The characters of the opera are not only accompanied by leitmotifs (Aidas, Amneris, priests, attendants). The musical language is rich, full of polyphonic elements, oriental color. the opera is characterized by a special beauty of melodies. The most prominent musical episodes of the opera: the romance of Radames and the monologue of Aida in the first act, the solemn chorus and war march of the second act, the duet of Aida and Radames in the fourth act. In the opera, ceremonial processions, dances, decorative and exotic mass scenes are important, against which the personal drama of the characters takes place in the background. After the dramatic climax, the opera ends with a lyrical scene. This is typical of most of Verdi's operas.

ECHO

an opera in 4 acts,
Libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni

    After learning about the Ethiopian attack, Radames dreams of becoming the commander of the Egyptian army. If he won the battle, he would ask the pharaoh to give him the captive Aida, Amner's slave, as his wife. His wish comes true - the priests announce the will of the gods, - Radames will lead the army. Aida prays for both - her father. the king of Ethiopia and the Egyptian warlord Radames. Pharaoh's daughter Amner also loves Radames and suspects that Aida is her rival.

   The sounds of fanfares are heard - the Egyptians are returning from the battle after victory. Among the captives is Amonasro, Aida's father, who pretends to be the king. For the victory, the pharaoh gives his daughter Amneris to Radames as his wife. Aida and Amonasro remain hostages. At the temple of Isis, preparations are being made for the wedding - priests arrive on the Nile, attendants of Amner, slaves go inside. Aida stays behind, waiting for Radames. She wants to say goodbye to him forever. Amonasro approaches her - he knows about Radames's love for Aida and demands that his daughter find out from him which way the Egyptian soldiers will go to battle. Aida hesitates, but after hearing the story about the devastated homeland, she agrees. After meeting Radames, Aida urges him to run away with her to Ethiopia, and, remembering her father's request, asks about the upcoming battle. As soon as Radames tells the soldiers' plans, a triumphant Amonasro emerges from the darkness. The young man is overcome with despair - he has betrayed his homeland. Amner hears this too. After telling Aida and her father to run, Radames surrenders to the priests.

    Having come to the dungeons in vain, Amner begs to give up Aida, promising freedom and honor - Radames has already sacrificed honor and homeland for Aida. The experts pronounce a cruel sentence - to bury him alive. Amner curses the priests. Aida warned that Radames would be punished like this - she hid in the dungeon so that she could die together with her lover.

Characters:

Pharaoh of Egypt (bs),
Amner his daughter (mcs),
Aida, Princess(s) of Ethiopia,
Radames (t),
Ramphis, the priest (bs),
Amonastro, Aida's father (bar), etc.