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Amelia Booker
Dr. Green-Turner
Survey of Vocal Literature II
07 May 2025
Final Project: Aida
Giuseppe Verdi’s “Aida” is known throughout history as one of the most celebrated
operas, with an exciting mixture of opera seria and Buffa, this show truly has stood the test of
time. The Opera was composed during the later half of Verdi’s career and premiered in 1871 at
the Khedivial Opera House in Cairo (Busch 4). “Aida” represents a combination of Italian
operatic tradition with a bridge to more theatrical characteristics of the late 19th century.
Through its vivid orchestration, dramatic characters, and lifelike portrayal of personal and
political conflict, “Aida” reflects Verdi's ambitions as a composer and as a cultural icon who
often commented on the social and political aspects of this time.
The plot follows Aida, an Ethiopian princess who is enslaved in Egypt. She is secretly in
love with the Egyptian military leader, Radamès, who also loves her greatly. However, issues
arise when Amneris, the daughter of the Pharaoh, experiences feelings of love for Radamès and
becomes jealous of Aida.
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Radamès is chosen to lead the Egyptian army against the Ethiopians, and after winning the war
he unknowingly captures Aida’s father, King Amonasro, who is disguised as a prisoner. To help
her father, Aida is pressured to trick Radamès into revealing Egyptian military secrets. When
Radamès realizes his grave mistake, he is arrested for treason. Amneris then offers to save him if
he leaves Aida, however he refuses. He is then sentenced to death and entombed alive. In the
end, Aida secretly joins him in the tomb so they can die together, while Amneris mourns above
(Busch 15).
Giuseppe Verdi was born in 1813 in Le Roncole, a small village in the Duchy of Parma. Verdi
ultimatley rose to become a very influential figure of 19th-century Italian opera. His early works
gained popularity for their exciting choruses and themes of national liberation, reflecting the
sentiments of the Risorgimento (the movement toward Italian unification). Verdi was not much
of a passive artist, rather a politically engaged individual whose music often paralleled Italy’s
struggle for independence and unity (Snowman 24). He also served in the Italian parliament for a
time and was recognized as a symbol of the rising Italian national identity. Musically, Verdi’s
work was influenced by earlier Italian composers such as Donizetti and Bellini, but he
established his individuality by using heavy character development and more dramatic plots
(Snowman 16). By the time he composed “Aida”, Verdi had already achieved international fame
and was seeking projects that would challenge his artistry and give emotion to his audience.
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The common belief was that “Aida” was written for the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869.
However, the actual commission came later from Khedive Ismail Pasha of Egypt, who requested
a grand opera to celebrate the opening of the Khedivial Opera House in Cairo, Egypt. (Busch
72). Verdi was hesitant in the beginning, especially as he would be composing on commission,
but was eventually convinced by French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette, who worked closely
with the librettist Antonio Ghislanzoni to create the final text. Ghislanzoni was a poet, novelist,
and librettist, and was tasked with transforming Mariette’s outline into a full libretto in Italian.
His role in the creation of “Aida” was crucial as he provided a text that could inspire Verdi to
powerful and beautiful music (Busch 12). The libretto blends historical storytelling with
psychological depth, letting Verdi explore the conflicts of love, loyalty, and identity with the
backdrop of ancient Egypt. As mentioned, “Aida” is set in ancient Egypt, during a time of war
between the Egyptians and the Ethiopians. This setting was intentional so that Verdi and his
collaborators could explore themes of empire, cultural clash, and personal loyalty within a
dramatic and exotic habitat (Busch 92). The opera premiered in Cairo, Egypt on December 24,
1871, and quickly gained popularity across Europe and the Americas.
The opera’s historical setting, while seemingly different, mirrors the 19th-century's direct
concerns about colonialism and nationalism. Egypt’s modernization and position in global
politics provide an ironic parallel to the themes of imperial power and resistance followed in the
opera. In addition, the main character Aida is an enslaved Ethiopian princess torn between her
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love for an Egyptian warrior and her loyalty to her people which offered easy opportunities for
Verdi to explore the heavy toll of divided identity (Fisher 52).
The central characters-Aida, Radamès, and Amneris, have conflicting loyalties and passions
toward one another. Aida, as a character, is very noble and vulnerable and experiences turmoil
when caught between her love and patriotism. Radamès, her lover, is an Egyptian general, and is
also torn between duty and desire. Amneris, the Egyptian princess, introduces a dynamic of
jealousy, love, and vengeance. These characters are not merely archetypes but very complex
figures.Verdi’s music deepens their emotional state, especially in arias like “Celeste Aida” and
“Ritorna vincitor!” where their personal feelings are put against their duties (Fisher 37). The
final scene is a tragic duet between Aida and Radamès as they are sealed in a tomb, this shifts
from the greatness of the earlier acts to an intimate take on love and death.
Verdi includes a rich and varied orchestration in “Aida”, including off-stage brass and unique
percussion, to evoke the lavish lifestyle of ancient Egypt. The famous “Triumphal March” in Act
II is a representation of this style, with large brass fanfares and ceremonial brilliance, it is
composed for large ensembles and highlighted with exciting visuals. However, “Aida” is not all
nonsense; it features quieter moments where Verdi’s genius as a dramatist shines.The music often
shifts between personal intimacy and shared experiences, emphasizing the opera’s emotional
range.
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Stylistically, “Aida” bridges the bel canto tradition of beauty and Wagner's style of integrating
musical drama. Although Verdi was fond of Wagner’s innovations, he kept his own commitment
to melody, clarity in form, and character-centered drama. “Aida” thus represents a blend of
Verdi’s style with dramatic emotion and beauty. The opera was composed for an international
audience as it was Italian in its libretto and music, French in conception as a grand opera, and
Egyptian in its location.
Luckily, “Aida's” success was immediate, and it became a staple of opera houses around the
world, as it not only appealed to watchers for its visual and musical creativity but for its
emotional depth and political themes as well. It really was intended for anyone from the
European aristocracy to the working middle-class opera-goers. Especially those who would have
recognized the universal tensions between love, power, duty, and loss (Fisher 20). Today, “Aida”
remains one of the most performed operas globally, and its themes continue to stay with
contemporary audiences.
Giuseppe Verdi’s “Aida” is more than a great opera, truly it is a cultural and political statement
accompanied by beautiful music. The piece being created at a time of global change and national
awakening dives into the relatable themes of love versus duty, freedom versus servitude, and
nation versus self. Verdi, through his collaboration with Ghislanzoni and Mariette, created a
work that stands as both a tribute to past civilizations and 19th Century struggles (Fisher
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45).With its memorable characters, virtuosic orchestration, and dramatic intensity, “Aida”
remains as a great example of true Opera and a testament to Verdi’s genius work.
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Works Cited
Busch, Hans. Verdi’s Aida: The History of Opera in Letters and Documents. 1st ed., U of
Minnesota Press, 1978.
Fisher, Burton D. Verdi’s Aida. Opera Journeys Publishing, 1 Sept. 2001.
Snowman, Daniel. Giuseppe Verdi: Composer. Cavendish Square Publishing, LLC, 15 Dec.
2016.
