<p align="center"><b><i>Verdi’s Aida</i></b></p>
Aida the opera was written by Giuseppe Verdi in the Late 1871. This opera is mainly about a love triangle between Aida the Ethiopian princess who has been captured, Amneris Princess of Egypt and Radames Captain of the guard in Egypt.  The opera starts off with Egypt being challenged for power in war by Ethiopia. The king of Egypt choses Radames as the head captain to come up against the Ethiopians, who are crushed by Radames. Radames has also captured the king and his people, which include Aida. Radames victory request is to have their lives sparred which is allowed by the grateful king. Until king who didn’t know that the prisoners were of royalty is then sentenced to death, but are released by Radames, so the king sentences him to be buried alive. Aida and Amneris do everything in their power to try to save Radames but nothing works. In the end Aida runs to Radames side and is buried alive with Radames who die together in love.  This opera comes in the time of Egypt’s rule also Verdi’s rule in being a very famous opera composer.<!--more-->

This work is very typical of its era the three main things that describe Verdi’s Aida where big in the time of the opera’s release. That being Egypt, Opera and the composer Giuseppe Verdi I found this in a quote I read in an article written by Bruce Scott, “The history of Aida 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.” So with Egypt being the main power and Verdi with his good status shows that this opera was destined to be written.

Verdi’s Aida was created in the midst of war and was a rare occasion where it was used in the war to help create debt. The khedive had spent enormous amounts of money on a canal he had bought and on Giuseppe play Aida. Aida Was only sold to him to increase his debt to the Europeans. Even though aida played a huge impact in European and Egypt’s war the controversy started before Aida and is still continued today. “France’s revolution was fomented by Rousseau, Voltaire, Danton, Marat and others. Egypt’s revolution was fomented by Facebook. The drama continues to unfold as we read each day.”I forgive Verdi and his opera. They may have added to the Khedive Ismail's enormous bill owed to the Europeans which led to Europe’s domination of Egypt. But I have to admit that we are all the richer for that glorious music”(Hosni Murbarack).

This play was much loved in its time was scattered across the world quickly.” 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.”

The play as loved as much today as it was in its time it is shown all around the world. “The local premiere sold out all 3,000 seats. It was the social event of that fall.

Though much has changed in the ensuing 54 years, Freedman’s words still ring true: “An opera company has a responsibility other than just staying in business. Its purpose is to broaden people’s scopes, to let them know something else exists” (Sally Vallongo).

My personal reaction to watching Verdi’s Aida was amazement the storyline and the personality given to Aida and Ramades are astounding. Following Ramades to the end where he has to make a tough decision between love and duty is a well thought out plot that leaves viewers guessing. Watching this opera can really get a mutual feeling that the actors on stage are trying to portray for the character.

I like to compare this opera to West side story a musical created in 1957.  Like Aida it also has that love and war dynamic Maria who is a young Latino girl falls in love with a white boy named tony whose gangs are fierce rivals. This leads to death just like Aida, the two stories have a lot in common it shows how two completely different cultured people can come together and find love through the midst of hate, anger, and war.

The seriousness of how love war and duty is important for our future generations. This will show that one must follow their heart soul and mind versus just what there taught. This is how you can become truly happy and find true love.

Sources:

https://www.toledoblade.com/Music-Theater-Dance/2013/09/29/Verdi-s-glorious-tale-of-Aida-opens-2013-2014-Toledo-Opera-season.html

http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/verdis-emaidaem-and-its-role-egyptian-revolution/

http://classicalmusic.about.com/od/Opera-Synopses/qt/Aida-Synopsis.htm

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-verdi-birth-bicentennial-italian-opera-festival-20131025,0,4466481.story#axzz2jgx6KUOY

http://escholarship.org/uc/item/9tj7h4wv#page-1

http://www.npr.org/2011/06/03/136888669/love-triangles-and-pyramids-verdis-aida

http://schillerinstitute.org/educ/reviews/2013/aida-michigan_opera_theater.html