Classical Music | Tenor

Recorded on 12/31/1969, uploaded on 04/09/2009

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

One of Italy's most renowned opera composers, Verdi decided to end his successful career following the production of Aida. Commissioned by Isma'il Pasha, Khedive of Egypt, Aida was intended for a premiere in January 1871 at the Khedivial Opera House in Cairo. Unfortunately, the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War caused the set designs and customs to be trapped in Paris and the performance date was pushed back nearly a year to December 24. The long-awaited premiere, however, was not what the composer had wished. Even though he was not in attendance, Verdi was displeased that the audience was primarily made up of invited dignitaries, politicians and critics, but not the general public. A little more than a month later, on February 8, Aida received its European premiere at La Scala, Milan, in which the composer took an active role and considered the opera's real premiere. On both occasions Aida was enthusiastically received and an outstanding success for Verdi. It was quickly staged at other opera houses across Europe and received its American premiere in 1873. Today, over a century after its composition, it is still a staple of the operatic repertoire and one of the most frequently produced operas.

Imprisoned for unknowingly revealing the location of his army to the enemy, Radamès awaits his judgment before the priests. He assumes the worse for his beloved, Aida, and believes her dead. Amneris, still hopelessly in love with Radamès and knowing that his likely punishment is death, confronts him in the dramatic duet Già i sacerdoti adunais (“Already the priests are assembling”) begging him to defend himself before the priests. When he refuses to do so and accepts his inevitable punishment, Amneris then reveals that Aida is alive and offers to use everything in her power to save Radamès’s life if he will only renounce Aida and his love for her. But, he does not give in. Indeed, he even further proclaims he does not fear his impending death for he is perishing for his beloved. Dejected and hurt by Radamès’s decision, Amneris sinks into a chair as he is carried offstage by guards to his trial and the scene comes to a close.        Joseph DuBose