Giuseppe
Verdi was inspired to write AIDA by the wonders of Ancient
Egypt, its magnificent pyramids and temples, and its rich
heritage. Ismail Pasha, Khedive of Egypt and a great patron
of the arts, commissioned Verdi to write an opera for the
1869 inauguration of the 850 seat Theatre de l'Opera that
he built in Cairo.
The
AIDA of the 2nd Millenium, will be performed in its original
setting, at the foot of the pyramids of Giza. AIDA comes
back to Cairo, its first audience - for the world to see
what had inspired Verdi and for whom it was originally written.
The
story was inspired by the eminent French Egyptologist Auguste
Mariette, whom the Khedive later appointed to supervise
its sets and costumes. Camille du Locle, Director of Theatre
de l'Opera Comique in Paris, took Mariette's draft of the
story in French and conveyed it to Verdi.
Verdi
wrote AIDA in four months but its premiere had to be delayed.
Mariette, together with all the sets and costumes, were
unable to arrive from France in time for the inauguration
due to the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war, and it was
Verdi's Rigoletto that was performed for the inauguration
of the Opera House on 1 November 1871. However, at its world
premiere in Cairo on 24 December 1871, AIDA was a sensational
success. It received a triumphant reception and has remained
a favourite in Cairo and worldwide.
Giuseppe
Verdi (1813 - 1910) was one of the greatest composers of
the nineteenth century. He achieved considerable financial
success in his lifetime, having composed 31 operas, the
most famous of which are AIDA, OTELLO, LA TRAVIATA, FALSTAFF,
and IL TROVATORE.
