| The Aida opera is one of the most popular and classic | | | | opera classic Aida. First there is, of course, Aida, an |
| opera stories that are performed today. Opera lovers | | | | Ethiopian slave and captive, who is usually played by a |
| and even those who do not like opera at all usually get | | | | soprano, and then two bass voices, the King of Egypt |
| much out of the Aida opera, and for good reason. A | | | | Ramphis and the High Priest. One baritone voice is |
| rich history of success, wonderful characters with | | | | Amonasro, King of Ethiopia and Aida’s father, and |
| harmonic voices, and an engaging plot are all great | | | | one contralto, Amneris, who is the daughter of the King |
| components to the Aida opera. Aida is going to be | | | | of Egypt. There are also two tenors, Rhadames, the |
| performed at the Masada, Israel in 2011, and learning as | | | | Captain of the Guard and the Messenger. The rest of |
| much as you can about the features of the opera as | | | | the characters are smaller roles and will have varied |
| well as the specifics of the 2011 performance will help | | | | voices to add to the harmony of the opera. They |
| you be prepared and interested when the time comes | | | | include soldiers, Egyptians, Ethiopian slaves, prisoners |
| for you to see and hear this classic. | | | | and priests. The casting of the important and |
| History | | | | non-important characters of the Aida opera is a huge |
| Aida was originally conducted by Guiseppe Verdi and | | | | deal when planning a performance. |
| was first performed in Cairo, Egypt in 1871. It was | | | | Plot |
| written into French by Camille de Locle and into Italian | | | | The general plot of the Aida opera is actually quite |
| by Antonio Ghislanzoni. The plot was written by | | | | simple though the more complicated events would |
| Mariette Bey, and is one of the best plots of classic | | | | seem to say not. If it were a Shakespearean play it |
| opera. It has been performed in London, Paris, New | | | | would be called a tragedy. Aida, an Ethiopian slave is |
| York, Milan, and Caruso, all to raving reviews in each of | | | | secretly and desperately in a relationship with |
| those major world cities. Its next historical performance | | | | Rhadames, an Egyptian general. Through a series of |
| setting will be at Masada in Israel. | | | | bad events, Rhadames is punished to death via live |
| Characters | | | | entombment. Heartbroken and desperate, Aida works |
| There are a few main characters of whom it is | | | | it out to be in the tomb with him so that they might die |
| important to know when talking about the great grand | | | | together and be together forever more. |