Sign-In
Cart
Verdi's Aida: A Record of the Life of the Opera on and Off the Stage
Paperback
ISBN13: 9780786423286
Publisher: McFarland & Company
Published: Dec 19 2005
Pages: 200
Weight: 0.80
Height: 0.43 Width: 7.08 Depth: 9.98
Language: English
Every opera tells a story, but sometimes the creation of an opera makes a pretty fascinating tale on its own. If Verdi's Aida is the quintessential opera, it is also an amazing piece of musical history. This work examines the origin, composition, premiere, recording history, and consistent popularity of one of Verdi's greatest works.
In the late 1860s, Ismail Pasha, Khedive (viceroy) of Egypt, asked Verdi to compose a work to premiere in the Cairo Opera House. Although Verdi was uninterested in the project at first, persistence on the part of the Khedive as well as a tempting plot line written by Mariette Bey, one of the day's leading Egyptologists, drew him in. To this day, however, much mystery still surrounds the opera's inception. This book explores that mystery, highlights the genius of Aida's plot and characters, and traces the process through which Verdi and his librettist Ghislanzoni shaped the lyrics. It also considers Aida's spread from Cairo to the rest of the world, discussing aspects of its unique and interesting staging.
Following this history, the book provides a critical survey of recordings of Aida, including 33 of the entire opera and three abridged versions. The final chapter discusses film and video presentations. Appendices offer a discography of complete recordings, a videography of versions generally available and an annotated guide to further sources.
Also in
Opera
Puccini Without Excuses: A Refreshing Reassessment of the World's Most Popular Composer
Berger, William
Paperback
Verdi With a Vengeance: An Energetic Guide to the Life and Complete Works of the King of Opera
Berger, William
Paperback
A Modern Guide to Old World Singing: Concepts of the Swedish-Italian and Italian Singing Schools
Jones, David L.
Paperback
A Night at the Opera: An Irreverent Guide to the Plots, the Singers, the Composers, the Recordings
Forman, Denis
Paperback
Science and the Romantic Vision in Early Nineteenth-Century Opera
Mark a. Pottinger, Mark A.
Hardcover
Great Singers on Great Singing: A Famous Opera Star Interviews 40 Famous Opera Singers on the Technique of Singing
Hines, Jerome
Paperback
Wagner Without Fear: Learning to Love--And Even Enjoy--Opera's Most Demanding Genius
Berger, William
Paperback
The Toughest Show on Earth: The Toughest Show on Earth: My Rise and Reign at the Metropolitan Opera
Volpe, Joseph
Michener, Charles
Paperback
Music of the Night: Religious Influences and Spiritual Resonances in Operetta and Musical Theatre
Bradley, Ian
Paperback
Italian Opera Singing at the Time of Verismo: The Invention of the Modern Voice
Gentili, Barbara
Hardcover
Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan (Revised)
Gilbert, William Schwenck
Sullivan, Arthur Seymour
Paperback
Succeeding Puccini: The Operatic Career of Italo Montemezzi, 1875-1952
Chandler, David
Mellace, Raffaele
Hardcover
Ticket to the Opera: Discovering and Exploring 100 Famous Works, History, Lore, and Singers, with Recommended Recordings
Goulding, Phil G.
Paperback
The Dance and Opera Stage Manager's Toolkit: Protocols, Practical Considerations, and Templates
Kay, Michele
Studham, Susan Fenty
Paperback
The Wound That Will Never Heal: An Allegorical Interpretation of Richard Wagner's the Ring of the Nibelung
Heise, Paul Brian
Paperback
Richard Wagner, Rudolf Steiner & Allegories of the Ring: From the Mundane to the Esoteric
Hastings, George
Paperback
Music and Architecture in Harmony: Opera Houses and Concert Halls of Europe 1672-2022
Webb, Michael
Aujero Small, Thomas
Hardcover
Mad Scenes and Exit Arias: The Death of the New York City Opera and the Future of Opera in America
Waleson, Heidi
Paperback
Opera for Everyone: The Industry's Experiments with American Opera in the Digital Age
Steigerwald Ille, Megan
Paperback
The Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan
Sullivan, Arthur
Gilbert, W. S. (William Schwenck)
Paperback
Center Stage: Operatic Culture and Nation Building in Nineteenth-Century Central Europe
Ther, Philipp
Paperback
Pequeña pequeñita CHILDREN SONG CYCLE FOR VOICE AND PIANO: Canciones infantiles de Jaime Leon
Caicedo, Patricia
Paperback
IL TROVATORE (The Troubadour): An Opera in Four Acts; Vocal Score
Cammarano, S.
Verdi, Giuseppe
Paperback