The Metropolitan Opera’s Performance of Aida

Introduction

The Metropolitan Opera Aida is one of the unique pieces of classical music art that is focused on reflection of the historical events, which took place in Ancient Egypt, during the reign of Pharaohs. This opera is entitled Aida. It was composed by Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi (1813-1901), a famous Italian opera composer, and an Italian librettist Antonio Ghislanzoni. According to researchers, Aida is “a phenomenon of musico-drama theatre” (Fisher 9). This opera has several unique features, such as “large cast, six major singing roles, a huge chorus, orchestra, three ballets, and exotic scenery, and oriental ambience” (Fisher 9). The storyline of the opera is aimed at representing the human passions which are shaped by the characters’ confrontation and both the internal and external conflicts that occurred in their lives.  Four acts of the opera depict different scenes, including reaction to Ethiopia’s preparation for attack against Egypt, love story of Aida, the Ethiopian slave of the king’s daughter, Princess Amneris, and the warrior Radames, his hopes to give freedom to Aida, the feelings of Amneris who loves Radames, Ethiopia’s defeat, Aida’s reactions to the death of Radames, celebrations and crowning Radames with a victor’s wreath, Aida’s agreement to find out the route of the Egyptian army from Radames, and, finally, Radames’ trial and death of both Radames and Aida.

Analysis of observation of the Metropolitan Opera’s performance of Aida

The analysis of observation is based on the Metropolitan Opera’s performance of Aida. The opera ran about four hours with two intermissions. The opera was showed at the Coconut Mall Movie Theatre on October 6, 2018. The cast included Anna Netrebko, Anita Rachvelishvili and Aleksandrs Antonenko. Soprano Anna Netrebko sang her role of Aida, mezzo-soprano Anita Rachvelishvili sang as Amneris, and Aleksandrs Antonenko sang as the warrior Radamès. The overall impression of the performance was positive. According to researchers, “the opera art form is the sum of many artistic expressions: theatrical drama, music, scenery, poetry, dance, acting, and gesture” (Fisher 9). The Metropolitan Opera Aida is no exception. In this opera, the composer serves the role of the dramatist who effectively utilized the emotional power of music to demonstrate human interactions which lead to the growing conflicts and misunderstandings. The music of Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi generates different feelings, while the performers’ words help the audience to develop their thoughts in a way that allows them to draw relevant conclusions. The Metropolitan Opera production of Aida attracts the audience’s attention due to the sublime fusion of music and words, as well as the significance of the theatrical arts. The opera is sung in Italian.

The historical research of the production

The historical research of the production of the opera Aida shows that this piece of classical music art is one of the works that is well known across the world and that holds a major place in the widely recognized operatic canon, because it receives performances annually in many countries of the world. It is known that at New York’s Metropolitan Opera,  Aida has been shown over 1000 times. The first time it was performed at Metropolitan Opera House in the year of 1886. The history of the opera Aida is interesting because the Italian composer Verdi was commissioned to create this piece of musical art for performance during the celebration of the Khedivial Opera House in Egypt. He was paid a sum of money, but the opera’s performance was delayed because of the war actions in France. The opera Aida was performed later, in 1871. It was the city of Cairo that received the opera’s première in Cairo Opera House. Hence, the opera Aida was created by the Italian composer who managed to keep the established Italian traditions in music. According to researchers, Verdi was focused on maintaining its Italian soul; therefore, he created a truly Italian opera, “drama with rich melodies and profound vocalism” (Fisher 14). There is much evidence taken from academic sources that Verdi was inspired by Wagner’s music dramas and his style was shaped by Wagner’s music (Fisher 16). At the same time, Verdi’s operas are unique because they are focused in the conception of the “Italian music of the future” (Fisher 16). In Aida, the composer utilizes a wide range of set pieces, including arias and duets that are supported by the dramatic context of the past events. The composer is aimed at criticizing authoritarian regime that was practised by the Pharaohs. The victims of this regime are Radames and Aida. Verdi’s major goal was to create a political drama which could reflect the political tension between the powerful people of his age. In 1871, Verdi was not only a mature composer, but also he was a smart politician as he promoted his own ideology through his music. Verdi was a supporter of liberation and unification of his country. He knew that  Italians and other Europeans were interested in the study of the Arab world. They explored the history of the Arab countries, their politics, economy, trade, and commerce. At the time of the opera’s creation, Egypt was part of the Ottoman Empire. Verdi was interested in the strengths and weaknesses of Egypt’s position; therefore, he agreed to work with this theme. The ruler of Egypt wanted to use the opera Aida to support his political principles. He chose Verdi because he knew the impact of his music on the audience. Initially, Verdi refused to accept the offer from Khedive, but, finally he decided to put a huge price for his work and wanted for Khedive’s refusal to give that sum of money. However, he agreed to pay this money (Fisher 19).

Analysis of the stage design of the opera Aida

The opera set design was developed in a way that allowed reflecting the social, political and cultural mood of the time. The set designer is Gianni Quaranta, one of the leading Italian production designers and art directors. He is a talented and experienced set designer who places emphasis on the role of various elements in the design of the stage. The costume designer is Dada Saligeri, a creative person who is ready to share his skills, knowledge, and experience in making excellent personal and artistic choices that play an important role in determining the the overall visual look of the stage. The selection of the proper style of stage made it possible to represent the story line of the opera Aida in details. The elements that were observed and analysed included the angles of light, gobos, colours, mood, highlights, and shadows. The combination of these elements allowed the audience to feel the power of music, words and theatrical action. According to researchers, “Verdi’s Aida is certainly a crown jewel among his glorious operatic inventions; it remains a masterpiece of the lyric theatre, as well as a tribute to the art form and its ingenious composer” (Fisher 9). The above mentioned elements help to strengthen the role of the stage design in the overall interpretation of the opera.

In fact, specific attention should be paid to the proper selection of the angles of light to provide high quality stage lighting effects. The angles of the beams of light were different, depending on the scene of the opera which was consistent with the stage design. It was very important to give the audience a chance to see the beauty of the clothing of performers, the overall design of the hall, and marvellous decorations. The key goal of the opera designer was to coordinate lighting and projection systems in order to be able to set the proper design. The use of various techniques allowed the opera designer to succeed in construction of a full scale system which created unique scenery design on the theatre stage. It was obvious that the opera designer was focused on the use of directional lighting to make it possible to impress the audience.

Besides, the use of gobo allowed the opera designer to improve lighting significantly. The gobo was a useful tool because it was used with the lighting system and helped to create the so-called background looks, when the light was projected on the scenery, on walls and floors. The gobo was appropriate for the large scale opera production like the Metropolitan Opera Aida. The term gobo is defined as “small plate of thin metal with a design cut or etched into it which, when placed into the gate of a spotlight, projects the design onto the stage as a shadow” (Winslow 72).

In addition, due attention should be paid to the analysis of colours in the design of the opera. The Metropolitan Opera Aida was presented to the audience in two main theme colours, namely light and dark colours. There were also additional colours, such as golden and grey colours that allowed the opera designer to highlight the role of stage design and costume design. The use of these two main colours gives an opportunity to draw relevant conclusions on the interpretation the major themes developed  in the opera. The tall and imposing golden coloured columns on the stage of the Opera House help to reinforce the Pharaohs’ majesty and power. Light and dark colours symbolise the struggle between Good and Evil. The Metropolitan Opera Aida is without a doubt a story about love, but it is linked to the conflicts caused by the political struggle and social criticism. As this theme of political struggle remains one of two major themes  in Aida, the use of specific colours highlight the role of patriotic duty in the relationships between two loving people, Aida and Radames. Verdi’s music reflects his focus on political ideals of his own country and, therefore, these theme can be found in his operas. The other main theme in the opera Aida is the one that emerges in other operas of Verdi. It is the theme of the father-daughter relationship. The use of light and dark colours highlight the changing mood and emotions of the main characters. There is some form of betrayal that emerges between Aida’s love of Radames and her father’s love. Dark and light colours point out to the complex father-daughter relationships which lead to the conflict and fatal outcome. 

Also, due attention should be paid to the analysis of the opera Aida’s mood that shapes the stage design. The passion of the building’s design reflects the the Pharaohs’ power in a way that the audience is impressed by the columns, the throne, and internal decorations. Besides, both the  costumes and the setting are selected to communicate the relationships between the main characters, their statuses, and roles in political life. This fact means that the stage design and costumes communicate the mood of the opera. The costumes made from silk and other gorgeous materials coloured in golden reflect the status of the influential figures in their society. These elements and the glory of Aida create the mood of the opera. It is defined as ambitious. Verdi’s music inspires the audience to assess the behaviours and actions of the main characters. There are many melodic ideas in the opera that are associated with the main themes of Aida. The opera works musically in a way that the audience hears the changing music tones, namely one moment it is intimate music of the violin, while the other moment, it is ferocious music of the entire orchestra.

Moreover, there is a need for analysing the highlights of the opera that influence the overall impression of the audience, including the Prelude, the opening aria “Celeste Aida” by Radames in the beginning of the Act I,  Aida’s marvellous exit scene and aria “Ritorna vincitor!”, Amneris’ prayer to Phta, the Triumphal scene in the Act II, including the march and ballet, and, finally, the majestic duet singing “O terra addio” in the final Act of the opera. These are the most popular moments in the opera Aida which demonstrate the talent of the composer, his unique melodies, which inspire the audience.

Finally, specific attention should be given to the effect of shadows on the set design. The opera Aida is a unique musical piece which requires combining the set design and storytelling through the use of shadows. Due to the interplay of light and  shadows, the audience has an opportunity to draw relevant conclusions on the outcomes of the story and create relevant feelings and emotions. It is possible to add depth and texture to the overall interpretation of the opera through implied light and shadow on the stage. When singers are in shadow, the audience does not pay attention to them. This approach gives a chance to focus the audience’s attention to the ballet and Verdi’s melodies that contribute to strengthening the dynamics of the opera. In fact, all performers have a strong dramatic foundation to produce excellent work in creation of truly believable characters. Verdi’s music allows the audience to assess the dramatic nature of the story and enjoy the powerful orchestral arrangements that shape emotionally-expressive characters.

Conclusion

Thus, it is necessary to conclude that the Metropolitan Opera Aida is worth watching and analysing because of the unique methods and techniques used by the stage director and due to the talented performers who made it possible to reveal the major themes on the professional level. The observation process was based on the historical research of the production and the analysis of the stage design. The study of the opera Aida’s design allows drawing relevant conclusions on effective work of the set designer and the costume designer, who achieved success in creating the  mood of the musical piece of art. The overall impression was positive because Verdi’s music was powerful enough to make the audience feel the atmosphere of the dramatic context and the unique voices of singers. The impression was strengthened by the opera stage design, including complexity of scenery, availability of a large number of people on the stage (or large cast), chorus and ballet dressed in the properly decorated costumes. The opera Aida is still in my mind. Due to professionalism of the cast, opera set designer, costumer designer and other people involved in the process of opera production, the opera Aida has become a unique event in our theatre. It is a drama about human relationships, the power of love, duty, and, of course, sacrifice. When the audience started to applaud, everyone understood that the opera Aida was a great success with the public.

Works Cited

Fisher, Burton D. Verdi’s Aida. Opera Journeys Publishing, 2005. Print.

Winslow, Colin. The Oberon Glossary of Theatrical Terms: Theatre Jargon Explained. Oberon Books, 2012. Print.

The terms offer and acceptance. (2016, May 17). Retrieved from

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016.

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

freeessays.club (2016) The terms offer and acceptance [Online].
Available at:

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]
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