Giuseppe Verdi, "Aida" (opera): summary

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Verdi's opera "Aida" is one of the most famous and popular works of musical theatrical art. It has an interesting history of creation and an entertaining plot. Although the summary of Aida presented in this article does not convey all the details of what happens on stage during its productions, it will help to better understand this performance for those who are going to see it for the first time.

History of Creation

In 1868, the Egyptian government decided to commission an opera by Giuseppe Verdi. Its premiere on the stage of the newly built Opera House in Cairo was supposed to be part of the celebrations on the occasion of the opening of the Suez Canal. Due to being busy, the composer delayed the answer for a long time, and only two years later he began writing Aida.

The brief script that Verdi offered as the basis for this work was written by the French Egyptologist Mariette,who at that time lived in Cairo. He decided to use the legend he read after deciphering an ancient papyrus found in one of the tombs.

She talked about the struggle of the pharaohs against Nubia (Ethiopia), which lasted for several decades. In addition, Mariotte painted several drawings based on the frescoes he found. They were later used to make sets and costumes for the premiere and subsequent productions. On the basis of the script by Mariotte C. du Locle wrote a prose summary of the plot of the play "Aida" (opera). The libretto, a summary of which is presented below, needed some work, as the arias had to be written in verse.

Antonio Ghislanzoni

Everyone knows that one of the most remarkable works of Giuseppe Verdi is the opera "Aida". At the same time, the name of Antonio Ghislanzoni, who created her libretto, is known only to specialists. It is interesting that this man, being the owner of a pleasant baritone voice and an undoubted literary talent, could not find something to his liking for a long time. Having changed many professions, only by the age of 30 he became an employee of the Milanese music publication Italia musicale, which he later headed. Along with this, he wrote several novels devoted mainly to the theater. Being a great admirer of opera art, Antonio Ghislanzoni became interested in writing the libretto. His most famous work was the opera "Aida" (it can be briefly retold in a couple of minutes). In addition, he authored another 80 librettos.

A few words aboutVerdi

Although the topic of this article is "Aida" (opera): a summary "- a few words should be said about the great composer who created this musical masterpiece.

Giuseppe Verdi is the author of many works that are popular all over the world. By all accounts, his work can be considered the greatest achievement in the world of opera, as well as the culmination of the Italian opera of the 19th century. The best works of the composer are Un ballo in maschera, Il trovatore, Rigoletto and La traviata. However, according to critics and connoisseurs, the pinnacle of Verdi's work is his latest operas, Othello, Aida and Falstaff. It is known that the composer was very picky about the choice of the plot of the libretto and took into work only those scripts that allowed him to show his talent to the maximum.

"Aida" (opera), a summary of which will be presented below, was written by him only after he had read the outline in Locle's prose. The composer was interested in the plot inspired by an ancient legend written on papyrus hidden in the tomb. He set to work and created an immortal piece of music that still has many fans today.

Aida Summary: First Act

The high priest of the god Fta and the head of the guard Radames are talking about the attack of the barbarians on the border areas of the country. The young commander is overwhelmed with the desire to become the head of the Egyptian army and lead the campaign against the Ethiopians who invaded the country. In case of victory, not only glory and honors await him, but also the opportunity to ask hismaster of freedom for the slave Aida, with whom he has long been in love.

Radames' dreams are interrupted by Pharaoh's daughter Amneris. She dreams of winning the heart of the head of the palace guard and suffers because of his coldness. Aida enters. She exchanges passionate glances with Radames, which does not escape the attention of Amneris. The princess, tormented by jealous doubts, plots to punish her rival slave.

The pharaoh and his retinue appear on the square in front of the palace. A messenger approaches him, who tells that the lands in the southeast of the country have been devastated by an army of barbarians led by the Ethiopian king Amonasro. Aida is horrified when she hears her father's name.

Pharaoh announces to the people the will of the goddess Isis, according to which the troops sent against the invaders should lead Radames into battle. Aida understands that soon her lover and father will meet on the battlefield as opponents and, possibly, will die at the hands of each other.

The girl prays to the gods for death, because she does not want to witness the death of either one or the other.

In the temple of Fta, the priests perform the rite of human sacrifice and hand Radames the sword, which was stained with the blood of an Ethiopian.

The plot of the opera "Aida": a summary of the second act (first picture)

Amneris looks forward to the return of Radames. Young Egyptian aristocrats gathered in the princess's chambers. To satisfy their anger, they kill a captive black Ethiopian. Aida enters. Seeing her, the princess again experiences the pangs of jealousy. To confirm his suspicions, Amneris reportsAida that Radames died. The girl does not hide her grief, and the angry daughter of the pharaoh threatens her with a terrible punishment.

Picture two (1st act)

In the square in Thebes, the people enthusiastically meet the Egyptian troops. A march from the opera "Aida" sounds. The captives pass before the king and his retinue. Among the Ethiopian slaves, Aida recognizes her father, Amonasro. He asks his daughter to pretend that she does not know him, and informs the pharaoh that he is allegedly one of the soldiers of the Ethiopian leader who died on the battlefield. Amonsaro, along with other captives, beg the King of Egypt for mercy and mercy. Seeing the tears of his beloved, Radames asks the pharaoh to release the Ethiopian captives. The ruler of Egypt decides to leave only Aida and Amonsaro as hostages and announces his decision to give his daughter as a wife to Radames. Amneris triumphs as the warlord and his lover realize they will never be together.

Act three

The princess is preparing to marry Radames. She, along with the servants and the head priest, goes to the temple. There she prays to the gods that the groom will love her as much as she loves him.

At this time, on the banks of the Nile, Hades is waiting for Radames. She decides to throw herself into the river if her lover says that they need to part. The girl longingly recalls her homeland, where she is unlikely to ever be able to go.

Amonasro appears instead of Radames. He says that he learned about his daughter's love for his sworn enemy and demands that Aida find out from Radames the route of the Egyptian army headingto punish the Ethiopians.

Aida refuses in horror, and the enraged Amonasro curses her, calling her a slave of the pharaohs who betrayed her homeland, blood and people. Tormented by her father's reproaches, the girl promises to help him.

Radames appears, he hopes to return once again with a victory and ask for Aida as a reward. He could not fulfill this intention after the first campaign, as he had to beg mercy from the pharaoh for Amonasro and the captured Ethiopians.

All his hopes are dashed when Aida reveals that he can only be happy if he agrees to run away with her to Ethiopia. She learns from Radames the road along which the Egyptian army must pass. Amonasro overhears their conversation. He comes out of hiding and informs Radames that he is Aida's father. The Egyptian commander is horrified, as he realizes that he has become a traitor. The Ethiopian persuades him to run away with him and his daughter. At that moment, Amneris, the high priest, and servants enter. Amonasro flees, dragging Aida with him. Radames is arrested because he does not deny that he revealed military secrets to the enemy.

After that, he, the priests, Amneris and other characters of the play "Aida" (opera), a summary of the first three acts of which you know, go to Memphis.

Act Four

Next, the libretto of the work "Aida" (opera), a summary of the previous paintings of which you already know, tells about the preparation of the trial of Radames.

In the dungeon, Amneris comes to the ex-fiance, begging him to admit his guilt. She promises to keep him aliveif he refuses Aida. However, Radmes replies that love is dearer to him than honor and life. Amneris threatens Radames with vengeance, and at the same time prays to the gods for his salvation.

The High Priest pronounces judgment. According to his decision, the traitor will be buried alive under the altar of the god Fta.

Hearing that Radames must die a painful death, Amneris curses the priests.

Before his death, Radames indulges in dreams of Hades. Aida suddenly appears, having infiltrated the dungeon to die with Radames.

The singing of the priests is heard. Slaves block the entrance to the dungeon. In the last scene, which concludes "Aida" (opera), above the stone that closes the entrance to the dungeon, Amneris prays to the gods for peace and tranquility.

Music (1-2 steps)

The main feature of works of opera art is that melodies are used as a tool for conveying emotions, creating the right atmosphere, etc. degree, as another character. In addition, many arias, romances and marches are performed today as separate concert numbers. Among them:

• An orchestral introduction in which the composer succinctly outlined the main conflict of the drama. For this purpose, the fragile melody of the violins is used, creating the image of a loving, feminine Aida, and a formidable melody chosen for the priests. It captures the entire orchestra but gives way to the theme of love at the end.
• RomanceRadames "Sweet Aida", which is accompanied by gentle woodwind solos and expresses the feelings of the young commander for the unfortunate slave.
• Tercet of Radames, Amneris and Aida, conveying the anxious moods and confusion of all three characters.
• The solemn march "To the banks of the sacred Nile", expressing the power of Egypt.
• Aida's solo part "Come back with victory to us", which conveys the spiritual struggle of the heroine and ends with the prayer "My Gods".
• Chorus of priests, which begins with the words "Gods, give us victory." He always makes a big impression on the audience. This number is not at all like the transparent chorus of the Pharaoh's daughter's servants that follows it, which is interrupted by Amneris's passionate remarks. To emphasize the atmosphere of the female half of the royal palace, the audience is shown a dance of Moorish slaves.
• The expanded duet of Aida and Amneris is a dramatic clash of these heroines. In it, the imperious, proud melodies performed by the daughter of the pharaoh are contrasted with the mournful remarks of the Ethiopian slave. The central section of the duet, in which the unfortunate woman prays for forgiveness, expresses the loneliness and despair of the heroine.
• Memphis choir march, priestly hymn and jewel dance are used to represent popular jubilation.
• Aria Amonasro characterizes the king of the Ethiopians, who passionately expresses his love for life.

Music (3-4 acts)

Orchestral introduction through transparent, quivering melodies recreates the atmosphereEgyptian night. Aida's romance "The sky is azure and the air is clear" sounds, in which the voice part is intertwined with the tune of the oboe. This is followed by a duet between Aida and her father. In the course of this number, the initial soulful melody is replaced by a warlike, stormy melody of the curse of an Ethiopian warlord.

The duet of Aida and Radames is a fusion of strong-willed, heroic moods of a warrior-hero and the calls of his sad lover, which are accompanied by the melancholy tune of an oboe.

In the first scene of the 4th act, Amneris is central. In 2 large scenes, the spiritual world of the princess of Egypt is revealed, engulfed in love, jealousy and a thirst for revenge. Next, Amneris and Radames perform a dark and tragic duet.

The denouement of the plot of the opera comes in the scene of the trial of Radames. Verdi combined the harsh theme of the priests and the impassive chorus, dully coming from the dungeon. They are confronted by the mournful remarks of Aida, praying "Gods, have mercy" and the menacing sounds of the sentence.

The most beautiful and memorable musical number of the opera is the farewell duet of Aida and Radames, which is full of enlightened and airy melodies.

Now you know how Verdi's opera "Aida" was created. You also know the summary of the libretto, and you can not only enjoy the performance of the parts of this work by stars of the first magnitude, but also understand what they sing about and what emotions they seek to convey to the audience.