Programs · Episode

VERDI: Aida

Program: At the Opera
Aired: Saturday, March 30, 2019 @ 6:00 pm
Hosted by Lisa Simeone

One of the world's most popular operas, Verdi's drama takes a familiar plot element — the thorny love triangle — and reinvents it using strikingly complex characters who confront their passions amid the mystery and spectacle of ancient Egypt. On At The Opera we hear a 1981 recording starring soprano Katia Ricciarelli as Aida, alongside tenor Placido Domingo as Radamès, and we'll go back to 1959 to hear those same roles taken by Renata Tebaldi and Carlo Bergonzi.

FEATURED RECORDINGS:

Herbert von Karajan, conductor
Vienna Philharmonic
CAST: Renata Tebaldi (Aida); Carlo Bergonzi (Radamès); Guilietta Simionato (Amneris); Cornell MacNeil (Amonasro); Arnold van Mill (Ramfis); Fernando Corena (King of Egypt)
(Decca 475 8240)

Claudio Abbado, conductor
Orchestra and Chorus of La Scala, Milan
CAST: Katia Ricciarelli (Aida); Placido Domingo (Radamès); Elena Obraztsova (Amneris); Leo Nucci (Amonasro); Nicolai Ghiaurov (Ramfis); Ruggero Raimondi (King of Egypt)
(DG B0004582)

MORE ABOUT THE OPERA:

The exotic aura of ancient Egypt has been the magic ingredient in all kinds of entertainment, and in just about every genre the choices seem to run the gamut. At the movies, Egypt has been the setting of everything from costume dramas such as "Cleopatra" and "The Ten Commandments, to the adventures of Indiana Jones, to various incarnations of "The Mummy."

Music inspired by ancient Egypt ranges from the ethereal ballet score "Khamma" by Claude Debussy," to "Walk Like an Egyptian" by The Bangles. And that's not to mention a whole string of tunes by a 1980's dance and rap artist billed as The Egpytian Lover or a dreamy number called "Meditation Music of Ancient Egypt," by new age specialist Gerald Jay Markoe.

But when it comes to music evoking the land of pyramids and pharaohs, there's no better place for it than the opera house — especially when you add a dose of passion to the mix. Handel wrote three operas set in Egypt, including Julius Caesar. Massenet chipped in with Thaïs, set in Alexandria. Giuseppe Verdi did his part with one of the most popular operas of all time, the spectacular drama Aida — a score that was actually written for an Egyptian audience.

The history of Aida history goes back to Ismail Pasha, who became the khedive of Egypt in 1863. Among his many dreams for the country was a new Cairo Opera House. It opened in 1869, with a performance of Verdi's Rigoletto. But Pasha thought his theater also deserved a brand new work by Verdi, who was arguably the most famous opera composer in the world.

Verdi wasn't eager to tackle a big new project in a faraway country, and hesitated. When he eventually agreed, it was on his own terms — and he had plenty of them. Verdi demanded complete control of the production, the right to pick his own librettist and singers, and the right to oversee the project from his home in Italy by sending his personal representative to manage the production, conduct it and direct it.

The composer also demanded a hefty fee — payable on delivery of the score. Opera openings were frequently delayed, but there would be no delay with Verdi's paycheck.

The premiere was postponed slightly, thanks in part to the Franco-Prussian War, and took place late in 1871, not quite a year behind schedule. Before long Aida was a hit all over the world. It premiered at La Scala in 1872. The next year, it reached Buenos Aires and New York City.

On At the Opera, host Lisa Simeone presents Aida in two outstanding recordings. We'll go back to 1959 to hear conductor Herbert von Karajan leading a cast headed by two of the all-time greats: soprano Renata Tebaldi in the title role, and tenor Carlo Bergonzi as Radamès. Also, from 1981, it's Katia Ricciarelli as Aida, alongside Placido Domingo, in a release featuring the orchestra and chorus of La Scala, with conductor Claudio Abbado.

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