AIDA

In 1860 Isma’il Pascià, the Khedive of Egypt commissioned Verdi with a composition to celebrate the opening of the Suez Canal for a sum of 80,000 francs. Verdi refused, saying he did not write music for special occasions. However, when the French archaeologist Auguste Mariette sent him the outline of a libretto based on an Egyptian subject through Camille du Locle, the director of the Opéra-Comique in Paris, the composer changed his mind.

Mariette wrote to du Locle: “What the viceroy wants is an exclusively historical Egyptian opera. The scenes will be based on historical descriptions, bas-reliefs of Upper Egypt will be used to design the costume”. The opera première was planned for the opening of the new khedival Cairo Opera House but owing to force of circumstance – the Franco-Prussian war that blocked the costumes and sets in a besieged Paris – it was impossible. The new opera house was then opened in 1869 with Rigoletto and it was not until two years later that Aida debuted on 24 December 1871, when it was met with resounding success.

Conductor | Francesco Ivan Ciampa
Director | Mauro Bolognini
taken up by Bepi Morassi
Sets| Mario Ceroli
Costumes | Aldo Buti
Light designer | Fabio Barettin
Choreography | Giovanni Di Cicco

La Fenice Choir and Orchestra
Chorus Master Claudio Marino Moretti

Nuovo Balletto di Toscana