Aida: Opera Explained

by Thomson Smillie, David Timson (Narrator), Giuseppe Verdi (Composer)

Ancient Egypt and the war with Ethiopia is the setting for Verdi's grandest opera. It is the story of the love between Rhadames, the Egyptian general, and Aida, an Ethiopian slave, and the jealousy of Amneris, daughter of the King of Egypt. It was written in 1871 to a commission from the Khedive of Egypt to inaugurate the new opera house in Cairo. Aida generally is considered one of the most spectacular of Verdi's operas.

But Thomson Smillie, in his fascinating introduction to the work, presented by actor David Timson, says it is, more accurately, "a chamber opera with a grand march through the middle of it". The historic background - how and why it came to be composed - is clearly explained. This is followed by the plot, the characters, and the principal arias and musical moments - a perfect way of getting to know the work.

Genres: Nonfiction, Music, Audiobook

Audible Audio

First published July 1, 2001

Reviews

[Katerina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Не пойму, в чем проблема линейно пересказать либретто и объяснить, когда опера писалась, зачем и при каких обстоятельствах, как была приняла и как сложилась ее судьба. Но нет, разброд, шатания, а вот вам кусок из Травиаты (што?)

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delightful! The benefits of an audiobook introduction rather than just print are worth emphasis, even if they may seem obvious to some; hearing the opera and having it properly introduced is a real treat.

I'd prefer to think of these introductions as something like the author intimately illustrating some nice strokes of musical brushstrokes and simply effusive excitement of the work as a whole. While this is great, it is not as analytical as I might have hoped. It's more a crash-course in operatic appreciation than opera 101. This is not a bad thing, though: I plan on using these as a quick primer for watching the work.

As a supplement, these are pretty great. There's not really anything close to 'academic' in here, but the sheer giddiness of the author shines through, is infectious, and contextualizes the political, musical, and aesthetic value for a general audience with sprezzatura and lighthearted joy.

[Bcoghill Coghill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author is so witty and so perceptive that he brings the opera alive. Wonderful to listen before experiencing the opera again or perhaps the first time. Recording of the music was awful in the format I like listened, streamed, but that is a quibble. You will listen or see the opera soon.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sensible and meaningful interpretation of the context of the work, the plot, and the musical composition. The fact that Verdi’s operas were propaganda in the Rosurgimento unification movement in the contemporary Italy.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to one of the greatest operas in the repertoire. It is a pleasure working my way through this series.